Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Enemas during labour.

L Reveiz1, H G Gaitán, L G Cuervo

  • 1Fundación Universitaria Sánitas, Research Institute - School of Medicine, Av Calle 127 # 21 - 60 Cons 221, Bogota, Colombia. lureveiz@colsanitas.com

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|October 19, 2007
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Conceptual framework of equity-focused implementation research for health programs (EquIR).

International journal for equity in health·2019
Same author

When is a randomised controlled trial health equity relevant? Development and validation of a conceptual framework.

BMJ open·2017
Same author

Protocol for the development of a CONSORT-equity guideline to improve reporting of health equity in randomized trials.

Implementation science : IS·2015
Same author

[Morbidity and mortality in a series of patients suffering from intraperitoneal neoplasia treated with peritoneal cytoreduction and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy at the Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá Teaching Hospital (ONCOLGroup--ATIA study)].

Revista de gastroenterologia de Mexico·2012
Same author

Influence of trial registration on reporting quality of randomized trials: study from highest ranked journals.

Journal of clinical epidemiology·2010
Same author

Palliative endobronchial brachytherapy for non-small cell lung cancer.

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews·2008
Same journal

Interventions for smoking cessation in inpatient psychiatry settings.

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews·2026
Same journal

Mechanical thromboprophylaxis for preventing intradialytic hypotension in people undergoing maintenance haemodialysis.

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews·2026
Same journal

Prognostic models for predicting intensive care unit admission or mortality in critically ill adults not yet been admitted to the intensive care unit.

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews·2026
Same journal

Views and experiences of weight management for people living with mobility‑limiting conditions, intellectual disabilities or severe mental illness: a qualitative evidence synthesis.

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews·2026
Same journal

Non-pharmacological interventions for anxiety and depression in Parkinson's disease.

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews·2026
Same journal

Biologic drugs for induction and maintenance of remission in Crohn's disease: a network meta-analysis.

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews·2026
See all related articles

Routine enemas during labor do not significantly impact infection rates or women's satisfaction. This evidence discourages the regular use of enemas in childbirth, as they offer no clear benefits.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Maternal and Neonatal Health

Background:

  • Enema use during labor is often provider-dependent, potentially causing maternal discomfort and increasing delivery costs.
  • Limited evidence exists on the benefits and risks of enemas during the first stage of labor.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of enemas administered during the first stage of labor on maternal and neonatal infection rates.
  • To assess effects on labor duration, perineal wound complications, perineal pain, and fecal soiling.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review and meta-analysis of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 1765 women.
  • Searched major databases including Cochrane, PubMed, and clinical trials registers up to December 2006.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Included RCTs assessing neonatal or puerperal morbidity/mortality following enema administration during labor.

    • Main Results:

    • No significant differences in puerperal or neonatal infection rates between enema and no-enema groups.
    • Inconsistent findings regarding labor duration; one trial showed shorter labor with enemas, while another did not.
    • No significant differences in neonatal umbilical infections or maternal satisfaction were observed.

    Conclusions:

    • Current evidence from three RCTs indicates enemas do not significantly affect infection rates or maternal satisfaction.
    • The routine use of enemas during labor is not supported by the available evidence.
    • Healthcare providers should discourage the routine administration of enemas during the first stage of labor.