Enema at 39 weeks for constipation

Indications for use

An enema is the introduction of a small amount of water or a special solution into the rectum to soften stool and perform a bowel movement. Indications for the use of this method are constipation, which can be diagnosed if bowel movements occur less than three times a week, as well as helminthiasis (pinworm infection). In this regard, cleansing (for constipation) and therapeutic (for helminthiasis) enemas are distinguished.

Constipation is common during pregnancy: the enlarged uterus puts pressure on the intestines, making it difficult for feces to move toward the anus. Since expectant mothers systematically complain about this condition, doctors have been able to use their accumulated experience and develop other, more gentle and less traumatic methods of cleansing the intestines. Thus, rectal suppositories with a laxative effect are famous for their mild effect, and sometimes it is enough to adjust the diet and review the drinking regime.

You can do an enema during pregnancy only with the permission of your doctor. In order for the doctor to allow the procedure, systematic difficulties with bowel movements (constipation) and the ineffectiveness of other methods of dealing with them must be diagnosed.

Both constipation itself and the frequent use of enemas to soften stool can lead to unpleasant consequences, so this measure should not be used more than twice a week.

Causes of constipation in later stages

All the factors described above also affect the functioning of the intestines of pregnant women in the later stages (from 16 weeks before birth). However, several more points are added to them that make it necessary for many women to take a laxative during pregnancy.

Decreased physical activity. Motor activity is even more limited as you approach childbirth. This is due to an increase in the woman’s body weight and the load on the spine due to the growing fetus.

Change in fetal position. During pregnancy, there is constipation, which is associated with the fact that in the last weeks the baby's head drops and strongly compresses the intestines through the wall of the uterus.

Change in emotional background. Finally, many expectant mothers begin to worry a lot before giving birth, their appetite decreases, which can also lead to stool retention. Therefore, a laxative for a pregnant woman can be the first solution to the problem.

Watch our video to see what can cause constipation:

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Is it possible to do an enema during pregnancy?

- in the early stages

An enema is an effective and quick way to say goodbye to stagnant stool in the intestines, but this procedure is considered undesirable during pregnancy. This is due to the location of the intestines in close proximity to the main reproductive organ - the uterus, so systematic exposure to the intestines can provoke uterine tone.

Uterine tone is dangerous for miscarriage and premature birth. However, oddly enough, the initial periods are the safest in this regard. But there is also a paradox here: in the first trimester, the uterus does not in any way interfere with the act of defecation, so constipation rarely occurs.

If problems with bowel movements appear in the early stages, you need to tell your doctor about it. Most likely, the gynecologist will recommend rectal suppositories or give recommendations on introducing plant fiber into the diet. If the problem is not resolved in this way, enemas will be prescribed provided that the pregnancy proceeds without complications, there is no threat of miscarriage, the expectant mother is not bothered by abdominal pain, and there is no bleeding.

Indications for an enema in the first trimester are constipation and pinworm infection.

- in later stages

The second and third trimesters are relatively unsafe for the intestinal lavage procedure - the time when uterine tone is most likely. At home, enemas are not given, as premature labor may begin.

Again, if suppositories and nutritional correction do not help, doctors prescribe enemas, which are done only in a hospital setting. Sometimes a microenema is enough.

In the second trimester, enemas are allowed no more than once a week. In the third trimester, microenemas can be used after the 36th week.

On the eve of childbirth, an enema is sometimes given to cleanse the intestines before childbirth, so that this does not happen during pushing.

The danger of prenatal stool retention

Let's figure out why constipation is dangerous before childbirth (39 and 40 weeks).

Intoxication

The colon mucosa absorbs and delivers water and beneficial elements from feces to the blood. With a long delay in the removal of feces from the accumulation, toxins begin to be absorbed. You will feel:

weakness;
headache;
fatigue.

But harmful toxins will also penetrate the hemoplacental barrier, and the baby in the stomach will begin to move less actively.

Haemorrhoids

More often, hemorrhoids develop due to straining and increased blood flow to the pelvis, but there is another mechanism of development. At 40 weeks, constipation will cause the combined pressure of the overcrowded colon and uterus on the pelvic vessels to impede the outflow of blood, causing dilation of the intestinal veins.

When you are diagnosed with hemorrhoids after childbirth, you will not always be able to connect constipation in the later stages and the disease that has arisen, but there was a change in the vessels of the pelvis during pregnancy.

Start of labor

Compression of the uterus by the intestine overflowing with feces provokes the contractile function of the organ. This is a relatively safe complication - starting from the 37th week of pregnancy, a healthy baby can be born. But remember that giving birth to a baby prematurely is not advisable.

Postpartum complications

Stagnation of feces serves as a favorable environment for the development of microorganisms that cause inflammation of the mucous membrane. Even with hygiene, a small amount of inflammatory exudate enters the vagina and urethra.

During childbirth, the body is in a state of stress and pathogenic microflora penetrates the organs, causing urogenital inflammation.

Infection of a newborn

During the passage of the baby through the birth canal, pathogenic microflora that enters the vagina from the anus can cause infection in the baby:

eyes;
in girls - genitals.

Cases of infection of a baby are rare - the baby is treated after birth, but there is a risk of infection in the newborn.

Don't neglect treating constipation during late pregnancy. Difficulty in defecation is not only discomfort. Prolonged stool retention affects the health of the pregnant woman and the child.

- soda solution

To prepare a soda solution, you will need half a liter of water at room temperature and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. The soda must dissolve in water, so the solution is heated to a temperature of 50 degrees Celsius and then cooled to a comfortable temperature. During the procedure itself, the temperature of the solution should be at least 23 degrees.

This solution is effective not only for constipation, but also for helminthiasis. It also removes toxins and improves the digestion process.

- enema with garlic

A garlic enema is not recommended for intestinal diseases, including irritation and inflammation (colitis, enteritis). The composition of the solution will only aggravate the irritation of the organ mucosa. Garlic mixture can also increase blood pressure, so you should be especially careful with it.

The main indication for garlic enema is helminthiasis.

To obtain a solution, chop a few cloves of garlic, add a liter of hot water and leave to infuse. Before use, the solution must be filtered, the temperature should also be approximately 23 degrees.

There are other types of garlic enemas. Sometimes garlic pulp is poured with boiled water at room temperature and left for 12 hours, tightly closed with a lid and wrapped in a blanket or towel.

Also, to increase efficiency, you can add 3 tablespoons of dry tansy to the solution, mix thoroughly and strain.

- water enema

The easiest and safest enema to prepare is a water enema. Its purpose is to cleanse the intestines for constipation.

For an aqueous solution, take boiled water at room temperature. You can add a spoonful of Vaseline or castor oil to the solution.

As prescribed by the doctor, other components for enemas can be prescribed, for example, a decoction of chamomile, tansy, and wormwood.

Self-administering an enema

You can give an enema yourself only with the permission of a doctor and preferably with someone’s help. For a pregnant woman, especially in the later stages, when the belly has already reached a large size, it may be inconvenient to carry out the procedure without assistance, especially for the first time.

Before you begin cleansing the intestines, you need to prepare an oilcloth, diaper or sheet, Vaseline or lubricant, a basin, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap.

The algorithm for self-administering an enema is as follows:

Prepare the solution chosen or recommended by the doctor, bring it to an acceptable (23 degrees) temperature, and fill the enema with it.

Features of the procedure at home

Before carrying out the procedure at home, you should consult a gynecologist. He may suggest alternative treatments at home or explain in detail the steps of an enema. You need to prepare for the enema and take into account some nuances.

Before you do the enema, prepare everything you need:

an enema bulb or Esmarch mug;
basin/bucket;
oilcloth, disposable diaper;
lubricant (vaseline oil);
warm water.

Stages of enema:

Lay an oilcloth on the surface (bed, sofa bed), lowering one edge into a basin. Lie on your left side with your legs crossed. If the pregnancy is short, it is permissible to carry out the procedure in the bathroom, standing on all fours.
About 0.7 liters of warm water should be poured into Esmarch’s pear or mug in advance. When using a mug, you must pinch the hose, raising it 1-1.5 m. The tip must be lubricated with oil or lubricant.
Drain a small amount of air and water into the basin.
Carefully insert the tip into the anus using a rotating motion. It is important to let water into the intestines slowly, over a minute. During the enema, you need to breathe deeply and calmly.
When all the water has come out, the tip must be carefully removed. You need to put a diaper between your legs.
It will take about 10 minutes to soften the stool. At this time, you can lie down, then walk around a little.

It is inconvenient to administer an enema on your own, so it is better to ask someone close to you for help. If you have no one to turn to, then you should visit a medical facility and trust the specialists.

Features and Precautions

The specifics of the procedure during pregnancy require a number of precautions that should not be neglected.

Firstly, you should not worry and worry about the sensitivity of the problem and be embarrassed to tell your doctor about it. Prescribing an enema yourself can result in unforeseen complications. Therefore, if you have regular constipation, you need to go to a antenatal clinic, notify the gynecologist about the problem and ask to find a solution.

Secondly, if it is difficult for a woman to give an enema herself, do not hesitate to ask loved ones for help: husband, relatives, close friend. They understand the difficulty of the situation and will not laugh under any circumstances.

If the enema turns out to be effective, you should not abuse this procedure. Depending on the duration and state of health, the permissible frequency of using this method varies from 1 to 2 times a week.

Before allowing an enema, the doctor will order an examination. First of all, you will need an unscheduled ultrasound to assess the tone of the uterus.

Contraindications to colon cleansing are:

History of miscarriages or current threat of miscarriage;
Hypertonicity of the uterus;
Abdominal pain and bleeding;
Stable hypertension;
Haemorrhoids;
Hyperthermia;
Hernia;
Diseases of the cardiovascular system;
Prolapse of the vaginal walls;
Intestinal diseases;
Nausea;
Isthmic-cervical insufficiency;
Low placentation;
Kidney failure;
Bleeding from the anus, rectal tumors.

If there are no contraindications, but other methods do not help overcome constipation, an enema is prescribed. The permissible volume during pregnancy is no more than half a liter.

Preventing constipation during pregnancy

Preventive measures cannot guarantee 100% protection against fecal stagnation, but it is still possible to achieve a state where rectal suppositories, nutritional correction or microenemas will be effective, and there will be no need for an enema.

First of all, we are talking about planning pregnancy. If a woman consciously decides to conceive a child and responsibly approaches this important stage, she will be prescribed an examination, during which risk factors for constipation (for example, colitis, enteritis) can be identified. Correcting your health status is the main path to an easy pregnancy.

Recommendations on proper nutrition while carrying a baby are also given for a reason. Some foods, especially vegetables and fruits, normalize digestion and prevent constipation. Oat and buckwheat cereals, dried fruits, herbs, and fermented milk products also have a beneficial effect on the state of the gastrointestinal tract.

Often, pregnant women experience swelling and are forced to limit their fluid intake. If the choice is between these two problems, it is better to choose the lesser of two evils: drink more water, herbal infusions, dried fruit compotes, natural fruit drinks and juices. Tea with fennel, decoction of prunes, dried apricots, juice from beets and apples are useful for digestion.

Physical activity reduces the risk of constipation during pregnancy. Of course, many sports are absolutely contraindicated for pregnant women, but walks in the fresh air, gymnastics and yoga for pregnant women, water aerobics, special types of fitness and dancing will be beneficial.