Fleet enema

Sodium phosphates enema, and when you might need one before egg retrieval

What is it?

A Fleet enema helps to empty the bowels. It is a saline laxative enema, which works by pulling water from the body into the bowel, helping to soften the stool and cause a bowel movement. You can buy it over the counter.

Why is it helpful?

We need the ovaries to be lying “low”, close to the top of the vagina, for a successful egg retrieval. If the bowels are in the way of seeing the ovaries, egg retrieval becomes much more difficult. In those situations, an enema can help.

Who should take a Fleet enema?

There are three situations where we suggest using a Fleet enema the night before retrieval:

  1. If you are constipated.
  2. If you have known or suspected adhesions (internal scars). This includes women with endometriosis, blocked tubes or significant abdominal surgery.
  3. If, during monitoring, the ultrasound technicians needed to press down on your stomach to see one or both ovaries. Your ovaries may tend to drift higher than we’d like.

We give Fleet enema information to every patient, but most women will not need to take one unless advised by the nurse.

Please contact your IVF nurse for further direction if needed.