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Labour choices - enema? Catheter?

74

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 January 2012 - 17:46

Hi ladies, I'm putting together my birth plan and wanted views on whether or not to go for an enema on arrival at the hospital to empty out the bowels. I don't really like the idea, my doc has said it's my choice but she would recommend it. Would appreciate any views either way from ladies who have laboured with and without the enema.

Also is a catheter used during labour as standard? I will be delivering at Medcare and the midwife we had for antenatal classes seemed to suggest it was standard to keep the bladder empty but i think my doc would prob respect my wishes if I refused to have one inserted. Has anyone had one inserted during labour and views on it?

Many thanks!

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282

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 27 January 2012 - 20:22

I did not deliver here but both were choices where I did. I did not get an enema and did not poop during either, despite having just eaten dinner a few hours earlier. I walked to the loo to empty my bladder (that too with a monitor on coz I was bleeding fresh blood and they could not figure out why) then when I had an epidural a little later they suggested a catheter, which I was OK with. It was very much during labour. I'd only add one comment - defi make a birthing plan but be prepared for the unexpected and don't be too set on it. I say this after learning the hard way. After my prenatal classes I was keen not to get an epidural too early as they can delay labour. I also delayed going to the hospital as much as possible to stay active at home. I reached the hospital and when I finally asked for my epidural I found out that the anaesthetist who worked wth my ob-gyn did not live onsite and it was a foggy night so he took longer than I'd expected. When I finally had my epidural it was so late I delivered less than an hour later so may as well not have had it. Hindisght is always 20/20...

74

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 January 2012 - 20:11

Thanks, yes it is no.1 hence not really knowing what my body will do or need when the time comes! Going to specify no enema for now. Have a Tour of the hospital this weekend so will also try to get a sense of the staff and their levels of discretion in these matters! Was recently talking to a couple of friends who vhave had c sections here, both had catheters, one liked it cos she didn't have to think about peeing, the other was desperate to have it out and would have been happier to keep going to the loo. So I guess there's no one answer (as seems to be the case with everything labour and baby related I am discovering!)

1

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 24 January 2012 - 21:39

A patient ALWAYS have a choice!!if u dont want an enama,then refuse:)gone is the days where u have to agree with everything.i can only speak about the hospitals where i worked: An enema is a bit old fashioned.but a full rectum can prolong the head of baby to come down,therefor the use for it(most of the time)but if you did opened your bowels before coming to the hospital,then no need for it. About the cathether,same principle.full bladder can also keep your babies head high.but if you can still walk to the toilet,no need for a catheter:)only time where you need a catheter is when you have epidural.since you are not mobile to walk to bathroom..

1987

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 16 January 2012 - 00:53

Enemas are (or were) standard practice at government hosps (though things may have changed now). Part of the Baby Friendly Initiative qualification that Al Wasl/Latifa and Dubai Hospitals have now achieved, is dropping enemas and pubic shaves as standard practice upon admission to labour ward. You have to specifically ask for them. Absence of my birth plan meant that I didn't get an enema, pooped repeatedly in the delivery room since I'd previously eaten a yummy buffet lunch. One of my midwives assumed my zonked appearance meant I couldn't hear her nasty comments. Guess who got named and shamed in a complaint letter 2 weeks later!

1381

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 15 January 2012 - 10:31

DXBchica I know, this is a bit off topic but I was really happy to find someone that was actually going to Medcare. Im cureently 22 weeks and have registered with them for their Antenatal Package but am now having second thoughts. I feel like I just dont get the appropriate amount of attention or information from the doctors there. Most recently, I had my anomaly scan today and the doctor who did the scan was not only a bit scattered, but also not so great at communicating what we were seeing on the screen- we were very interested to see our baby's development but also wanted to be able to see the baby move,and the face etc. she was a bit rushed and the final pictures we got were on CD and nothing more than grey blurs- kind of ruined the experience for us. sorry to hear that F. i went to medcare too but experienced the same thing so i opted out of there. my doc sits in a clinic and operates there alog with international modern hospital and city. me and my DH both found it a bit rushed and nobody to guide you properly....although they smile and point you in other direction :) during anomaly scan my baby wasn't cooperative showing his face clearly to us! but the radiologist kept on focusiing and finally gave us a side face pic. she was very sweet and helpful and took her time to do the scan. this scan really makes you realizes the upcoming delievery :) all the best

61

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 January 2012 - 10:20

Just to add to the discussion. I ended up having an epidural but don't think I had a catheter. Must admit I am not sure as at that time, I was so exhausted that most of the things happening seemed to be a bit blurry. Didn't have an enema either, but was also not eating anything during labour (and was actually advised against it, as you might get very nauseous). I was told to eat and drink as little as possible, just to have some glucose if needed for the energy. Wishing you the best of luck!

74

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 January 2012 - 08:25

Thanks ladies, that's all very reassuring to hear. I think I will go down the no enema route and hope my bowels do what they're supposed to naturally. I'm sure I can always change my mind at the time if I need to (all the extra progesterone I've been having take of late has not made it quite so easy to go - sorry if that's TMI!). Re the catheter, Ithink you're all right that midwife may have mentioned this in the context of the epidural. From your responses sounds like it's necessary in that case. I'm going to try to labour without the epidural to start with so will state no catheter unless absolutely necessary in the case of an epidural or other pressing medical need. Thanks for all your help ladies! F, sorry to hear you're not having a great experience with Medcare. I'm afraid I can't actually comment or provide any reassurance as I haven't actually been to the hospital yet. My doctor is based at a clinic and I'm only delivering at Medcare as that's the only place she delivers so I don't use the hospital doctors and won't have anything there till delivery when my own doctor should come in. This is also why I shouldn't hopefully be tied to "Medcare" standard procedures even though I am delivering there as I am not with a Medcare dr. We had our anomaly scan at the fetal medicine centre. If you're not happy with the service at Medcare and not tied into your package I would consider changing doctors as you still have plenty of time and it's important to feel comfortable with and confident in your doctor. Alternatively, if you're stuck with Medcare, maybe some of the ladies here can recommend a particular doctor t Medcare that you can request. Best of luck, really hope the experience improves for you.

7

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 15 January 2012 - 00:25

DXBchica I know, this is a bit off topic but I was really happy to find someone that was actually going to Medcare. Im cureently 22 weeks and have registered with them for their Antenatal Package but am now having second thoughts. I feel like I just dont get the appropriate amount of attention or information from the doctors there. Most recently, I had my anomaly scan today and the doctor who did the scan was not only a bit scattered, but also not so great at communicating what we were seeing on the screen- we were very interested to see our baby's development but also wanted to be able to see the baby move,and the face etc. she was a bit rushed and the final pictures we got were on CD and nothing more than grey blurs- kind of ruined the experience for us.

149

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 January 2012 - 22:49

Yikes. I would stay very clear of both. You want to be able to move around unhindered during labour so a catheter wouldn't be so great. And as other ladies said, the enemas don't always have the desired effect and at that point that it matters you really don't care anyway so I would say no thanks. :)

298

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 January 2012 - 22:29

Ooooo catheter definitely not standard unless you're having an epidural (either for a vaginal or C section birth). I ended up having an emergency C so had to have one. It is NOT comfortable, so would not recommend that anyone have it while laboring naturally. Enema - well I chose to have one because I was too hung up on pooing during labour so did it to put my mind at ease. Never had one before and its very weird! Not that uncomfortable having it administered (no more so than the millions of suppositories that I got after the surgery!). Pooed a lot immediately after. It was a bit pointless though since they give it to you as soon as you check in regardless of what stage of labour you're in :\: and give you food after and you can essentially eat through labour. So without going into the details, I'll just say the job was not done. So maybe consider not getting one.

kiwispiers15400

2782

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 14 January 2012 - 22:12

Isn't the catheder just if you have an epidural? I ended up with a c-section so had one anyway but that was the impression I got from my antenatal class. I remember worrying about the enema too, what I got told is basically the enema is for the convenience of the staff (so they are less likely to get poo'd on ;) not to benefit you.

494

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 14 January 2012 - 20:45

I had a catheter for a very brief while but think it was either just before ds was out or just after and seriously it was for all of 20 mins I reckon. Don't know why it was put in. Might ask that qtn tomorrow at my check up. As for enema, I had planned to have one but my body basically emptied itself when I went into labour ... Didn't think I was ever going to get off the toilet! Lol. So by time we got to hospital and I needed to go again there wasn't much ominous by that stage, I didn't bother with enema, u may just want to play that by ear. All the best :)

Muesli Bar51338

581

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 14 January 2012 - 19:25

Enemas are (or were) standard practice at government hosps (though things may have changed now). Quite frankly by that stage you don't really care who does what :D <em>edited by Muesli Bar on 14/01/2012</em>

238

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 January 2012 - 19:21

Goodness, what an idea! Your body will be busy doing what comes naturally - that may include pooping, but trust me, the midwives and dr's have dealt with than more times than not! Anyone suggesting the interventions you're mentioning is perhaps just not wanting to clean up? Forget it - it's completely normal. For me, all three labours started with Diarrhea so nature took care of it itself! If not, really it's really not something that will feature in your memories of birth. If you're doing a birth plan stick to thinking about how you feel about interventions, pain relief, the role of your partner etc. I promise you it's really no big deal if you poop - you'll probably even forget to ask if you did!

225

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 14 January 2012 - 18:06

DXBchicka, Happy labouring! The concept of caheter insterted gives me shivers. As long as it is not medically necessary I would not go for it - for number of reasons (infections, discomfort, etc). As for enema, it doesnt guarantee that you will not have bowel movement during labour. Usully your bowel will work hard during initial stages of labour. Midwives are used to all sorts of body fluids and they will not make a fuss when/if you p*op. Sorry if it is TMI. P.S I deliverd (vaginal birth with no complications) in AH and opted for no enema (catheter certainly is not insterted by default). <em>edited by JoannaS on 14/01/2012</em>

Hello.Again.Kitty

1861

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 14 January 2012 - 18:02

seriously?! Wow. Use of a catheter hasn't been standard in the UK for years and years... like maybe 30 or 40. Good to see the midwife you spoke with is on the pulse of modern practices! As for an enema, well, you can, of course, but I think the actual enema would be more awkward for you than the possibility of a poo being pushed out seconds before you give birth. I didn't have an enema for either of my labours and quite frankly, any midwife worth their salt can deal with whatever happens during labour - they will have seen all kinds. I would, however, try to go to the loo when you're in early stages of labour! I'm just having visions of them having given me an enema when I arrived at hospital - I gave birth about 30 minutes after arrival, so had they tried, the whole experience would have been grotesque in the extreme!

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