Labor questions for first time mom?

Question

Im pregnant with my first child and had a few concerns about the labor process. Ive read that women are given enemas...I know what its for but I was wondering if this was required or just suggested because I really think its a bit invasive for me. I cant imagine being forced to do it....also the same question in regards to having a cathader inserted...is that needed? when are these things needed?

Answer 1

When I was in labor with my son 8 months ago, I did not have an enema. My nurse told me that they give them to the mothers and still yet alot of the time they will still end up releasing some stool. So there for my nurse said that she was not going to give me one unless I wanted one. But you might want to check with your hospital and see what the policy is on enemas. And as far as the cather goes, they do not hurt when they are inserted. Cause they give you one after the epidural has taken effect. And you can not feel it at all. They will only give you one if you have had an epidural or you have to have a c-section. Hope that this helps you. Congrats on the up and coming baby!

Answer 2

Enemas are usually not required anymore. But I ended up having an emergency c-section, and believe me, with my next child I will have an enema first! It hurt more to poop afterward than the 12 hours of labor I went through. I also had to have a catheter because of the anesthesia, which is mandatory, but they insert it after you've gotten the drugs so you don't feel it go in. And it didn't hurt at all when they took it out, really. Most hospitals these days are great about letting a woman take control of her childbirth experience - if you want to avoid an enema, put it in your birth plan. All efforts will be made to accomodate you if you've chosen a good hospital.

Answer 3

Enemas, like shaving of the vaginal area, isn't routinely done anymore. You can always request it, but they don't require it. Your body will clean itself out on its own while you labor and possibly again while you push. You don't even notice it while you're pushing -- bigger, more important things at hand :) -- so don't worry about it then. Also, they try to stay away from enemas during labor because it aggrevates your body so the contractions can be worse or feel worse.

The cath is if you can't urinate after delivery (they usually give you 24 hours after birth to go) or if you have an epidural (because you lose all sensation and won't be able to control your bladder).

Talk to your OB or midwife about all your concerns and questions. If possible, make up a birth plan and discuss it with your caregiver so you can all be on the same page when it comes time to deliver. Obviously, things don't go exactly as planned, but at least you all have an idea of things that you hope to accomplish and how.

Good luck and congrats!!

Answer 4

First, the enema, you do not have to take that, but a friend of mine did, and she said it cleaned her out really well so she didn't need to worry about a BM right after delivery, and so she didn't poop while pushing the baby out. Gross, but normal. I've had 6 children, and my body has handled these things naturally. It really depends on you, some prefer the natural way, others like to control things a little more.

The catheter is only done if you get an epidural. You will have to get that if you choose to get the epidural because they give you a lot of fluids through the IV and you can't empty your bladder on your own.

You should be able to make all of these choices on your own. I have never even been offered an enema, and I have had an epidural with all of my deliveries, so I did get the catheter. It was not bad, better than the pain of labor. That is not to discourage you if you want to do it on your own, I have just never been able to take the pain with the long labors I have.

Best of luck to you!!

Answer 5

All of that is in the past, they don't do any of it any more. You will start having labor pains and your water will break, you should go to the hospital when your pains start to fell Strong and are closer together. If this is your first time you might want to be at the hospital when they start, but you are usually in labor for 5 to 6 hours, sometimes longer. My last child was natural birth and I would recommend it, you can eat, sleep, take a shower right after you give birth and there are no after affects from meds. My daughter was the only baby in the nursery who was content and didn't cry all night, they kept her in a room away from all of the other crying baby's. I also breast feed her.

Answer 6

well if you get a epidural for your labor.. then yes to the cathader... b/c you are not going to feel anything down south and you won't know when you have to go pee... i didn't have an enama done though... so I don't think that is really called for.. some docs do it some don't. But a cathader is needed after you get your epidural.. so you won't feel it and it won't bother you at all.. so i wouldn't worry about it... but i would ask my doc about the enema and if it is needed

Answer 7

Neither one of these things are necessary. If you want, you can give yourself an enema befroe you go to the hospital. I didn't the first time and I pooped a little when I was pushing. I don't want to do that again. So I will probably give myself an enema this time before I leave for the hospital. As for giving you a catheter, I don't see why they would unless you where getting a C-section. And remember, as a patient it's always your right to refuse anything you don't want.

Answer 8

Well, the menstrual like cramps are what you need to be paying attention to. I just had my baby and didn't realize until my water broke that the contractions that feel like period cramps are the ones that matter.. you should be timing those. I had the shooting pains down my legs 2 days before my water broke so that is a good sign your real close. Honestly with you being overdue and you having the cramps like that I would just go into the hospital and let them start the pitocin I wouldn't even wait any longer. I always felt I had pressure real low so I don't know what to tell you how to feel about that.

Answer 9

okay, calm down, they give women either a pill or juice now.
and u go lay down, cause u are in labor and then the pill hits u quick, u got to rush to the toilet and whewww- u are cleaned out to have the baby, they do this so u wont mess while pushin havin the baby.
the cathader is just for a short period after u have the baby, cause u are gonna be too weak to get out of bed and go to the toilet for a leak.
So,dont worry about any of this, it will all come natural.

Answer 10

I just had a baby 8 days ago and I was not required to have an enema.. you can get one if you choose, but trust me if you poop when you are pushing you will not even notice. If you cannot pee, say after an epidural or after birth a catheter will be required. I didnt need one but I heard that they are not that bad and only hurt coming out.