Enema During Pregnancy

Submitted by Pregnancy and Baby Care team on May 23, 2012

Constipation is a common problem in pregnancy and some expectant women have been known to use enemas during pregnancy. However it is best to check with your doctor before doing this as enemas can induce premature labor. An enema is fluid that is injected into the rectum so that the bowels can be cleaned out. Generally, an enema is given before the onset of labor. There is no routine medical procedure that states one should get an enema before giving birth.

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Women usually experience several loose stools before going into labor so constipation at that time is not really a problem. The theory behind giving an enema before labor is that the birth canal will be cleaned out prior to delivery and there is less risk of contamination if a woman has a bowel movement. A woman now has a choice of taking the enema or not.


This decision should be discussed with the doctor or midwife in during the pre natal appointments. Do not leave it till the end. The decision, once taken will be clearly indicated on the labor and delivery chart. Get detailed information on types of enema during pregnancy

An enema is commonly used in pregnancy and may be used both pre and post natally. Saline laxative enemas usually result in the complete emptying out of the left colon within 2-5 minutes. It works by pulling water from the body into the bowel. This helps to soften the stool and therefore causes a bowel movement. Once again do check with your doctor before using one. A small enema can provide great relief from constipation but it still important to seek medical advice regarding the safety of enemas during pregnancy. If you have a history of premature labor or if your mother or sister had this problem it would be advisable not to use an enema.

A good way to deal with the constipation during pregnancy that often accompanies pregnancy is to increase the amount of fiber in your diet. This is a long term solution to constipation. Add bran to your diet - have it in porridge or in a muffin. Include plenty of raw vegetables and fruits as these are a rich source of fiber. Prune juice is beneficial too. Psyllium husk is a good natural laxative to use. Several mild laxatives are available in the market but it is best to take your doctor's advice before using any of them.

Pregnancy is one of the most enjoyable experiences any woman can have. However, along with all the joys come the tribulations of carrying a child. There are a number of restrictions placed on expectant mothers, with respect to the activities they can undertake, the food they eat and the clothes that they wear. During this time, the body also experiences a number of hormonal changes that cause certain difficulties for expectant mothers. Women experience morning sickness that can really run them down, causing them to feel nauseous even at the smell of food. In addition, the digestive system becomes sluggish and a number of digestive problems take rise due to this. As you near your time of delivery, the nursing staff will advise you to have an enema to clear out your bowels before you go in for the delivery. A pregnant enema is always helpful as it ensures that your system is clean before delivering your child. Another reason that an enema is given before a delivery is that the pressure exerted while trying to push your child out of the womb may cause you to defecate a little, if there is anything within the bowels.

An enema during pregnancy is safe and is administered commonly to save patients the embarrassment of soiling their doctors. Though current day methods involve the use of chemical solutions to clean out the bowels, the old day methods of warm water are still the best recommended ways of administering an enema to an expectant mother. Before getting an enema, pregnant mothers should be told of the advantages and the hygienic benefits of getting one. Most patients would feel that there is no need for getting one, but they should be told the reason for the administering of the same. An enema during labor should be administered only on the advice of a doctor because an expectant mother may not be able to tell the difference between labor pains and a bowel movement that is occurring as a result of the administered enema. Most often doctors will advise an enema approximately two hours before the delivery, but not just before the time of the delivery. Enemas and pregnancy have been practiced from the days of old, where women felt comfortable that they were completely cleansed before going in for a delivery. As enemas were a commonplace practice back in the day, there was no real embarrassment felt in having an enema administered before a delivery. Nowadays enemas are not so common and women tend to feel out of place when asked if they would like an enema.

Enema and pregnancy information is readily available over the internet for people who are not too comfortable with the effects of the enema, or for those who would like to gain further information before asking for one. For enemas during pregnancy, it is best advised that warm water be used without any additives. In case a person does not suffer from high blood pressure, a little salt may be added to the warm water to further cleanse the system. The use of laxatives has been ill advised because they do not completely cleanse out the bowels. Certain laxatives and other chemicals added to an enema may cause you to dehydrate and this is not good for the delivery of your child. During the delivery, you will sweat a lot because of the physical exertion that comes with the process, and as such, your body needs enough of water to allow perspiration and lubrication for the smooth delivery of the baby. If your body goes dry because of chemicals used in an enema, the problems you face during delivery will be compounded. For expectant women, enema is the best method for purification before a delivery. Besides this, it also helps you to feel very relaxed and free from any strain on the bowels. As a secondary use for enema, pregnancy constipation is also relieved and allows you to relax further, before the time of your delivery. The digestive system experiences a variety of changes during the pregnancy and irregularity in bowel movements can cause uncomfortable bouts of constipation.

During an enema, pregnancy labor pains may begin to arise. Your doctor should be informed of this without any delay so that he or she may check on the status of your delivery. However, most often, the doctor will ask you to hold back and bear the pain for as long as possible till your system is cleared of any waste that should be removed. Many women often wonder whether an enema before pregnancy is safe for the baby. This question is not uncommon and as has been seen, enemas administered before a pregnancy do not endanger the health of the child in any way, but serve as cleansers for the expectant mother who is about to give birth to her child. An enema before labor not only serves the purpose of cleansing you, but also allows your body to relax after knowing that you are completely clean. It gives you the peace of mind that you will not soil while delivering your baby and this knowledge can give mothers less to worry about.

Though easier said than done, an enema should not cause an expectant mother to feel embarrassed, but should allow her the comfort that she is going to have a very pleasant delivery. Nurses and medical staff at the hospital or medical center will be extremely supportive and will give you all the finer details on the advantage of getting an enema before a delivery. Before you opt for an enema during the latter stages of your pregnancy, it is advisable that you gather as much information as possible about the procedure. Reading up on various articles through the internet will be of great help in clearing all the doubts that you may harbor in your mind with regard to the safety of your health, as well as the health of your baby during this extremely important period in your life. If you still have doubts, consult your physician on what best to do.

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