Constipation is often experienced during pregnancy. Although it usually does not become severe, it can reduce quality of life and sometimes lead to the development of anal fissures or hemorrhoids.

Constipation during pregnancy can be caused by changing hormone levels in the body, prenatal vitamins that many expecting mothers take, or pressure from the uterus in later pregnancy. It's important to be as comfortable and pain-free as possible during pregnancy, so avoiding the unpleasantness of constipation is beneficial, and enemas are one of several tools you can use to help with this.

Are Enemas Safe During Pregnancy?

While there are mixed opinions on the safety of enemas during pregnancy, and there has been very little scientific research done on this issue, many pregnant women find themselves needing to take enemas to alleviate uncomfortable constipation.

Many doctors agree that it is possible for enemas to stimulate labor, so while enemas can be perfectly safe and provide constipation relief for many pregnant women, I do recommend talking to your doctor first, especially if you are in your third trimester.

Constipation itself can also trigger preterm uterine contractions, however, so avoiding constipation in whatever way works best for you is important. I have worked with many pregnant women over the past 20+ years, and I find that for most mothers-to-be, enemas are a safe and beneficial thing you can do to improve your health while pregnant. I recommend reading this client's letter about her experience with constipation and enemas during pregnancy, in which she writes:

"I read your 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 To Take an Enema

Alternative Constipation Remedies

There are alternative solutions I would recommend pregnant women try if concerned about doing enemas, such as stool softeners and lifestyle and dietary changes.

Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids, eating a lot of healthy fruits, vegetables, and proteins, and minimizing intake of gluten, dairy, and sugar. Doing regular, gentle forms of exercise (if your doctor says this is okay) can also help prevent or relieve constipation.

Additionally, I recommend taking Ortho Reacted Magnesium as a stool softener, which is safe for pregnant women.

Taking Endo-Met GB-3, vitamin C, and a probiotic such as Ortho Biotic can also help move your bowels and improve the health of your microbiome to prevent constipation.

Most doctors recommend avoiding harsher stimulative laxatives while pregnant, because they can induce contractions.

If you do decide to take an enema during your pregnancy, ensure you are in as relaxed a state as possible. Taking the enema during an Epsom salt bath with lavender essential oil can be the perfect calming setting.

As always, especially if you are new to enemas, take things slowly and check in with your body frequently. If you feel any pain or discomfort, do not continue with the enema. If you need any support, feel free to call us at 608-242-0200 or set up a phone consultation with me.

Healing Anal Fissures While Pregnant

Many women develop anal fissures while pregnant or while giving birth. Fissures can be extremely painful and can become a chronic issue for some. I have developed an anal fissure healing protocol that is safe for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers to use. The protocol consists of:

1. taking daily OHN Anal Fissure Essential Oil Blend suppositories
2. bathing the area around the fissure daily using Frankincense and Myrrh Goat Milk Soap
3. applying Super Salve to the fissure 1-3 times per day
4. using Reacted Magnesium as a stool softener if you are struggling with constipation or hard-to-pass stools
5. taking MSM daily to help heal the tissues and restore blood flow in the area around the fissure

Some people find colon cleansing with home enemas to be helpful in healing fissures, but again, use caution when attempting to colon cleanse while pregnant, and I recommend trying the above therapies first.

▶︎ More Information on Healing Anal Fissures

Need more detailed guidance in alleviating constipation or anal fissures during pregnancy?

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Labels: anal fissure, colon cleansing, constipation during pregnancy, diet and lifestyle, enemas, labor, stool softeners