My #1 Labor Tip…The Big Ass Hospital Enema…no 💩!
When I showed up at North Shore Medical Center 35 years ago to give birth, having the enema was mandatory. No and, ifs or butts about it - you were having an enema. I politely refused it 3 times only to have that mean ol’nurse tell me “girl, you are having this enema.” To this day I have no memory of actually having the enema. For years I wondered how did that even happen? Did I give it to myself?
What I do remember is coming out of the bathroom and looking at Norman (I can still see him sitting in the chair) and telling him, “damn that felt great!” I felt so much lighter as I came out of the bathroom spiraling my hips! “I think we should start doing enemas,” I told him. We never did. Haven’t had one since. Two hours after that enema (and an episiotomy that I absolutely did not need) I pushed my 6lb bundle of joy out into the world. Hooray!
Did that enema have anything to do with my speedy birth? I believe it did.
A few years ago, on Christmas Day and after a three-year break from doing Doula work, I went into labor with a first-time mom. After her enema, she dilated from 3cm to 8cm (in only three hours!) and an hour after that, she gave birth. Did the enema help her dilate quickly…I believe it did.
Thinking about my last eight birthing experiences, the seven women who had the enema all delivered within six hours of my getting to the hospital. Some delivered sooner. One woman, who didn’t want to do anything I suggested - including the enema, was in labor for about 15 hours. The baby had to be suctioned out. If she had had the enema, would that have changed things up? I guess we’ll never know, but I believe it could have been a game changer.
This is not to say that it works wonders for everyone. I have clients who had the enema and still had long labors and some even gave birth via C-section - for one reason or another.
My client, Evelyn, who did have a C-section told me the best she felt all day was after having that damn enema.
More recently, December 2019, I was in labor with a client who was doing a VBAC. Labor really started to progress after having her enema. Three hours later she experienced the vaginal birth of her dreams. It really couldn’t have gone any better. Did the enema play a part? I believe it did.
SO WHY WAS IT MANDATORY 35 YEARS AGO AND TODAY YOU HAVE TO PRACTICALLY BEG FOR ONE?
After reviewing just about everyone’s philosophy on birthing: Wise Childbearing, every hypno-birthing course, Lamaze, and Birthing from Within, (there are plenty to choose from), not one of them recommend having an enema. Why not? Instead, they discuss old birthing practices. One of them was having the enema forced on you, like it was a bad thing, even though at the time of it being forced on me, I thought it was a bad thing.
Having an enema cleans out the lower bowel making more room for the baby to come down the birth canal and practically eliminates your #2 fear of having a #2 while giving birth, followed by your #1 fear of actually having to push your baby out of your vagina. #YouGotThis
Also, having the enema can reduce the discomfort of passing a large bowel movement soon after giving birth - which is a good thing. There’s enough going on down there, especially if you had to have an episiotomy.
The enema is done very discretely. You lay sideline on the bed; your gown opens from behind and the nurse is behind you holding the tube that’s inserted into the rectum. You take in the warm water and squeeze your butt cheeks while running to the bathroom, which is just a few steps away. You empty everything out (that just went in) along with anything that might be hanging around there just waiting to be cleaned out.
Close to giving birth, your body will start to eliminate waste on its own, but it’s not cleaning out everything like the big ass hospital enema does.
So, based on my own experience in labor, with clients, and clients whom I’ve seen postpartum share their enema story with me as part of their birthing experience, I believe there is no down-side to making the enema part of your birth plan.
Undoubtedly, you’ll find contrary opinions to everything you search online. So, my feeling is, if this sounds like a good idea to you - then do it. If not - don’t.
IF TIMING IS ON YOUR SIDE (AND YOU ARE NOT ALREADY IN THE LATER STAGE OF LABOR) HAVE THE ENEMA!
Unless you’re doing a home birth, I don’t recommend you do this size enema at home. Wait until you are settled in your hospital room or birthing center.
And don’t take no for an answer from the nurse. I’m not sure why some of them are opposed to the enema. Maybe it’s because that’s one more thing for them to do…? I don’t know. You would think they would be more than happy to oblige. At least they get to sit for 5 minutes while administrating the damn thing because God bless those nurses - they for sure are overworked!
I was told by a new mom that her nurse just didn’t want to do it. Another nurse told a new mom, “well, it’s either the enema or the epidural because the anesthesiologist is on the floor now.” She chose the epidural. That was very upsetting to me. The nurse went against her birth plan. I told my client that was bullshit because the anesthesiologist is always coming and going in Labor & Delivery. She could have had the enema that she requested as part of her birth plan and when she was ready - asked for the epidural.
Now, of course, you will find online arguments to support having an enema, and arguments against having an enema. It can be very frustrating. Talk to your mom, if possible. The chances are she may have had the “forced” enema when she gave birth to you.
My opinions are based on my own experience of giving birth, my experience in labor as a Doula and feedback from many clients over the years who have had the enema.
Have a story to share? Comment below or email me!
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