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How many of you had or will ask for an enema when you are first admitted to L&D?

I'm horrified at the thought of 'going' in front of everyone and heard if you get an enema, it makes it 'less messy'.

And what exactly is an enema? I mean, I know what it is, but don't know the procedure or how long it takes before it takes effect

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Im pretty sure most hospitals dont give enemas any more. I was also very nervous about this- so nervous that i popped every blood vessel in both my eyes and some in my face. It looked like i gave birth out my eyes . After i was home from the hospital DH told me that i went anyway- and i didnt even know! ALL that trying not to go, and i still went. Now i laugh about it and say those DR get paid enough $ they can look at my poop for a few minutes. Plus EVERYONE does it- its just a natural thing to do when your pushing that hard.
Try not to worry so much.

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this is also a fear of mine not so much in froint of teh drs liek you said they get paid enough but goig in front of my dh

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Im nervous about this also. I hear that most hospitals dont give enemas anymore - they used to be given routinely though. curious if anyone did ask for one?

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It happened to me both times...
And I thought I would be so embarssed but honestly,., you dont even give it a 2nd thought...

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I didn't ask for one. I didn't need one. I didn't have to go so it wasn't a problem.

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Maybe if the hospitals don't give them, you could buy one from the drugstore and do it yourself just before you leave for the hospital.

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I just assume that at that point, I'll want to get this kid out so bad I won't care! And you know what, let them clean up my crap! I'm pushing a baby out dammit!

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I've heard that getting an enema can send you into labor, but I'm not sure what it does if you're already in labor. Maybe it speeds it up? Perhaps the hospitals don't do them any more, because if you're in labor for a long time, you'll most likely have to go again anyway by the time you start pushing, so it kind of defeats the purpose.

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Ok, regarding why they don't routinely do enemas anymore at the hospital, this is what I read:
They used to perform enemas AND shave you down there because they thought that it was more hygenic to not have any hair or to ehem, GO, while on the table. But now they suggest if you are worried about "going" on the table, to just keep an at home enema and do it before you leave for the hospital. However, they also added that labor stimulates your bowels and to try to use the bathroom before you leave for the hospital.

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With everyone in the room with their eyes on my private area - I think at that point the embarassment will have hit its peak.

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LOL! I think this is definitely one of those worries that are common. I can relate to feeling that way prior to having my first child, all of us in my childbirth class were mortified at the thought - but believe me, you wont even know or care. They tell me I didnt poop while giving birth to my son but if I had, I can assure you that given the fact that I was pushing a human out of my body, I wouldnt have even thought of it. I think most of you will find you will feel the same way after the fact.

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I'd be more worried if I was the one who had to clean it up! This was originally a huge fear of mine, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized, I just don't care.

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i kept asking when i was pushing if i did and they kept saying no my dh asked why i kept asking. the nurse told me its no big deal they just clean it up before you even know it.

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It was a fear of mine.
Didn't get an enema.
Swore I was taking a poop while I was pushing (I could feel everything b/c I had no drugs).
Asked DH and no poop. I was SHOCKED! but honestly I didn't care when I thought I was doing it. In the midst of labor it will be the last thing on your mind.

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Honestly ladies please don't get hung up on this. I've seen too many patients almost have to get c/sectioned because they were so hung up about this they were not pushing effectively.
Trust me no one cares.

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This happened with my dd but not my ds. You really don't care at that point and the nurses pick it up soooo quickly that if you are not paying attention, you would never know.

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I was worried about this too Now I am just more terrified about feeling nausea or throwing up I did hear that when our bodies go into labor we normally will have a bowel movement or even diarrhea that will clean us out prior to delivery. I told DH that if I do poop he better tell me!