I can't
recall the number of times that I have googled "are enemas safe during
pregnancy?". I have never found a meaningful answer to my question. I
found lots of commentary and concerns that enemas can trigger uterine
contractions, and therefore are risky during pregnancy.
In
my first pregnancy I suffered terribly from constipation. I resorted to
frequent use of glycerine suppositories to get my bowel to eliminate.
Not a good solution!
When I was pregnant with my second child I again experienced
constipation. This time the constipation triggered uterine contractions,
once at 25 weeks and again around 30 weeks. I was hospitalized each
time as a result of the contractions caused by the constipation. Based
on these experiences I do agree that bowel spasms can trigger uterine
spasms. My "treatment" was a Panadine Forte -- which unfortunately made
me even more constipated. Following the hospital stays I decided to try
an at-home enema to prevent the build-up and constipation as well as
preventing any further uterine contractions. This approach worked for
me.
I read Kristina's book,
Ten Days to Optimal Health, and watched some
how-to videos to find out how to do an enema. I was extremely cautious
and slow with my enema experimentation. I used comfortably warm water
and only allowed a small amount of fluid into my bowel at slow intervals
so that my bowel could adjust and be completely comfortable with the
enema. I did the enemas while soaking in an Epsom salt bath and I
quickly felt very relaxed doing enemas. The enemas gave me immense
relief and helped me to avoid constipation. I did not have any further
uterine contractions and my baby was born at full term, with a wonderful
natural birth.
How can I have a pregnancy without constipation?
My
question is now, how can I have another child without suffering from
the problems caused by poor elimination and inadequate detoxification?
A bit more about my background: I have suffered from constipation for
years and years. I adopted a whole foods diet, following the principles
of
Weston A. Price about
4 years ago. The diet change rapidly improved my immunity and the
recurring thrush, viral, throat infections and urinary tract infections
that I had suffered from for years disappeared. Unfortunately the diet
change did not solve my constipation issues.
With much experimentation I found that I can live free from constipation
by eating liberal amounts of saturated fats (fermented cod liver oil,
coconut oil, duck and chicken egg yolks, avocado and other fats),
including 2 to 3 cups of gelatinous bone broth each day, strictly
limiting the amount of cooked protein I eat to around 120 grams per day,
eating fresh salads with herbs, avoiding all grains, starches, nuts and
seeds, including a liquid magnesium supplement, soaking in Epsom salt
and clay baths and getting plenty of exercise.
I no longer need to use enemas to help relieve constipation; the formula above works to get my body eliminating.
We
are hoping to have another baby. Recently as part of our preconception
care my doctor tested me for MTHFR. I tested positive with two defective
genes (I am MTHFR C667T homozygous), which means my body does not
metholate effectively. In very simple terms my body is only 10 to 20%
effective at detoxifying, instead of 100% effective. Many people suffer
symptoms from MTHFR gene mutations without knowing they have a problem.
You can be tested for MTHFR through blood tests or through saliva tests
(e.g.,
www.23andme.com).
I have been prescribed supplements to help my body to improve
methylation, and in addition to the supplements I have started
following the recommendations from an MTHFR expert, Dr. Lynch of
www.mthfr.net.
One of the tools Dr. Lynch recommends for detoxification and to
help MTHFR sufferers is
coffee enemas. I started using enemas again last
year to do coffee enemas. I am amazed at the physical difference and
calmness I have experienced from regular coffee enemas. They also allow
me to make lifestyle and diet changes without suffering from detox
symptoms. I have started experimenting with
adding geranium to my coffee enemas as it increases glutathione levels.
So far I love it. It smells beautiful and makes me feel good.
So, what is the answer to the pregnancy constipation dilemma? There
is no definitive answer, and one person's medicine is another person's
poison. No one can make guarantees about what will cause a pregnancy to
go smoothly. There may be risks of uterine contractions triggered by
bowel spasms. My experience and personal choice would be to use enemas
if I need them in a future pregnancy. I feel that the risks of doing an
enema at home, in a relaxed state, slowly and peacefully, are very, very
low. That said, I would also choose to eat raw egg yolks and raw meat
during a pregnancy, which I also consider very low risk (as long as
they are sourced from reliable farmers). For some women my "low risk" choices would be seen as very high risk. I think that the dilemma of
constipation during pregnancy is a matter of considering your risk
appetite, choosing what you are prepared to experiment with and being
calm and peaceful in your actions.
A final word about raising babies and children on organic whole foods diets
It
is amazingly hard work to source fresh organic whole foods, cook almost
everything from scratch, make bone broth, ferment sauerkraut, and cover
the enormous cost of eating this way (compared to cheap, processed grain-based foods). It is also very hard work convincing young children that
eating bread and cake is bad for their health and will damage their
facial and physical development as well as compromise their
immunity... and that taking fermented cod liver oil, drinking stock and
eating caviar is a good idea! My experience is that it is worth it. It
is early days for me as my children are still young, and I certainly do
not have all of the answers. So far I feel that the results are worth
the effort. My youngest has never been sick, he has beautiful big eyes,
big white teeth, a gorgeous smile and a very sharp mind. My eldest has
never been sick, but has had some dental decay (which is a form of
illness and compromised immunity). My kids exist in the world, have
contact with school kids and exposure to others. Their immunity seems
strong. I don't believe they would be as they are if they were raised on
a diet which included processed foods, processed sugar and processed
grains. I am grateful for what I have learned, for the wisdom shared by
Weston A. Price, Kristina Amelong, and other authors, and I pray each
day that my children, my husband and I continue to be blessed with
health.
BUY COFFEE ENEMA KITS
Labels: coffee enema, constipation during pregnancy, constipation solutions, detoxification, enemas, glutathione, organic food, whole foods diet