Do you remember pre childbirth enemas?

I had an enema and shave in 1969. Castor oil ( in Guinness ) in 1972 and nothing at all in 1989. The difference in 20 years !

In the words of the old song.....Yes I remember it well !

Treetops if that was true then it displayed a worrying lack of knowledge about the female anatomy😧

🤔 such dignity and respect was shown to women then at a most vulnerable time; NOT
…on the plus side though I think the hospital and maternity home was extremely clean and fully staffed…and it was all plain sailing after that really.

I knew someone who was shaved and given a pint of olive oil and orange juice prior to hard labour - to help baby slip out! This was in 1982/3. Luckily that had disappeared by 1986 when I had my first :D

I remember the “bath” after the enema! A high ceilinged Victorian bathroom, one dismal light, freezing cold (January) and two inches of water - then moved to the Labour ward for a forceps delivery! My, those were the days!!

Definitely High, Hot and Hellava lot!
Funnel, rectal tubing and a pint of green soap!

yes oh my goodness what an experience that was, and of course she shaved me too with one of those flick knife type of blades, I was even too scared to breathe in case she cut my clit off! especially as she was not paying attention or watching what she was doing and chatting to a mate over her shoulder, SCARY!!!

Oh yes…..quite barbaric when you think back…..I had them when I had my children…..1968 and then again in 1972…..both times the nurses administering them were very bossy……obviously insinuating I was being uncooperative!

Yes, I definitely had an enema for my first child, I can't remember with the second, 7 years later.

I also remember, before the enema was administered, being shaved by what I assume was some sort of nursing assistant. She left the curtains round the bed partly open and when I asked her to close them properly because I felt exposed and embarrassed, her reply was "Don't be silly, we're all girls together here". (We weren't because there were porters and other staff entering the ward, but that's beside the point anyway).

I think they were supposed to eliminate the poo-ing at point of delivery. It didn't work.

I remember having enemas on both of my children I’ve never heard of the 3 H’s though, I don’t think my midwife had either on my first I had hardly any water in the bath and what was there was Luke warm.
Two years later I had my second which was a planned home birth, I had an enema but I think it was one of those in a bag which was much better didn’t have to have a bath though, this was 48 years ago.

First labour 1969, a home birth and very overdue. To get things going my GP performed a "sweep of the membranes". Gloved fingers inserted into cervix to loosen amniotic sac. I then spent the rest of the afternoon sitting in a hot bath drinking castor oil. That did the trick. Second labour 1971 was a hospital delivery and I was given an enema. I remember the indignity of pooing during the birth and the anxiety of wondering how my baby might be affected by this gross lack of hygiene.

I remember the enema with my second quite clearly. It took effect so fast that I went running down the corridor. I didn’t even think about the back opening nightgown and always wonder if the male visitor walking behind hd an eyeful I’d behind!

I am very glad I had my daughter late in life . No enemas or shaving in 93 thankfully

Fflaurie

Personally, I think the enemas were a good thing, it was cleaner and more hygienic to have a baby without pushing anything else out. As for the shaving? the jury is out on that one.

Re shaving - there was a study done at Northwick Park hospital about post partum infections and shaving which indicated very clearly that there could be a link. I have horrendously sensitive skin, so I could foresee problems.

I was a rebel, I refused the shaving and the enema!

Personally, I think the enemas were a good thing, it was cleaner and more hygienic to have a baby without pushing anything else out. As for the shaving? the jury is out on that one.

I think they were worse nellenoxin!😆

I had the enema and the shave in 1979 for my first baby; that was a forceps delivery.

Hmm now i come to think of it maybe i had 'nothing done' in 1985 as my first son had arrived 10minutes after getting to hospital 🤔so perhaps some of you are right.

They were nearly worse than giving birth! lol!

For my first child I remember the midwife kept asking me if I’d like ‘a nice little enema ?’ I kept politely then less politely saying no thank you.

I remember the enemas. It was a great relief to know the baby was ready.
I don’t recall it being nasty or undignified. The Sister in the Catholic Nursing home (St Francis’s) were so patient, thoughtful and kind. They were gentle and only thought of baby and mummy. Such a pity they are no longer working in my home town.

Yes i had enema with first child in 1980- i was quite shocked as i was only almost 17(married at 16) and the shave-but after that by 2nd child (1984) they had moved onto suppositories‐ and only a mini shave-marginally better but not welcomed obviously.Then i dont remember what they gave in 1985 but by time i had next in 89 they had definitely stopped doing it altogether.And as a regular viewer of call the midwife yes it was "High, hot& hellova lot" it didnt work on my friend who had her first child a few days before me in 1980 and had no qualms telling all & sundry how she soiled the bed (not the term she used!)