Questions after reading book and watching DVD

Thanks so much, Angela, and I’m very happy you’ve joined us. Moving the organs forward toward their normal positions is really all we have to work with. I wish more people understood that anything less than that - including surgery - just misses the point and allows the body to continue to slide along its chronic course of worsening symptoms.

I think tightly waisted clothing does interfere with the natural flow of intraabdominal pressure. Take a couple of little coughs and notice where the action is - about 3 finger breadths below your navel. We can have virtually no belly, if that’s what women want, but it needs to be carried so that the lower abdominal wall can easily move forward - every time we take a breath!

Gosh, I don’t know what to say about all your professional clothes. Can you take them to an alterations shop and ask about having them cut down in front? The thing is, it’s not a look everyone is comfortable in. I’m an old mountain-mama and feel completely at home in low-waist, high-back clothes - but I do understand it’s not for everyone. I actually came up with the idea long before “low-rise” was a commercial option and can’t really wear my clothing any other way - good thing I sew. Clothing is so very individual, I guess the only thing I can offer is, do the best you can.

Yes, learn this way of squatting. It is very easy to do and becomes second nature to just lean forward so that the weight is on your feet every time you need to increase pressure. Just sitting upright on the toilet creates those “donut” dynamics where your organs are heading into the abyss. Lean forward and they are moved out of harm’s way.

Firebreathing creates negative pressure in the abdomen and could possibly cause problems for people with severe vascular or heart disease. Our systems are pressurized within a normal range and anything much above or below that could help “spring a leak” in a weakened person. An ulcer is an open wound in the stomach or gut and grinding it around may not be the best thing for healing. Firebreathing and nauli are fabulous exercises for anyone in good health.

I think your method of preventing SUI is great! I’m sure other women will test it out and it may get added to our list of proven methods. All SUI involves the angle of urethra to bladder. Standing on one leg must help kink off the hose. Bending over does as well, but some have to bend completely over into a tabletop position, which is not always practical. Sneezing while sticking your bum way out is also effective. The WW postural work is all about re-aligning the natural gravitational pull of the organs and fascia. I hope all these symptoms improve for you as well.

:) Christine

Goatgirl, I cannot wear skirts cut down at the front, just because of the shape I am below the waist. I prefer a waist. I think reducing compression on the abdomen, below the level of the top of the wings of the pelvis is the main aim. My waist is above this, and it doesn't seem to cause any problems. Having said that, My skirts are all either cut on the bias or are made from stretchy fabric with a waist that is elastic, but quite loose, just enough to hold it up. My waist never feels compressed. If it does I let a little bit of exta elastic into the waist. My skirts vary from quite hip-hugging to quite flared, so I know they work.

I cannot buy trousers that fit me. My waist, the narrowest bit, is only 50mm above my widest bit, and my true hips (9 inches below the waist) are smaller, with very little butt, so anything that is hipster just falls straight off! I have made up a trouser pattern that does fit me. I can make it up in a woven fabric with a slightly gathered waist (which could be just gathered at the back for a smarter appearance at the front). This give you some waist expansion when you sit down, which prevents your waist band and the body of the trousers from compressing your abdomen. They have a long pocket made from the same fabric, sewn into both side seams, and the slash goes from waist down to my hip joints, which is quite long. The part of the pocket next to my skin is cut continuous with the main back pieces so it has no seam. When I sit down the slash simply opens up and allows my abdomen to expand as much as it needs to, without exposing the pocket lining . When I stand up again the pocket simply turns into a placket again, and hangs beautifully.

I am sure you could adapt the deep side pocket concept for skirts. You wouldn't need a full pocket, just a narrower placket, and I am sure you could set it into a fitted skirt with a rigid waistband if you had to. A placket 50mm wide gives you 100mm extra on each side for abdominal expansion. I just happen to like pockets. :-) A long line jacket, vest or top would hide the plackets when you are sitting, if that is important.

Once you start to wear clothes that are cut for comfort but still neat and stylish I think you will find that you don't want to wear your other clothes.

It is a gradual process. If you are not a sewer, then a professional alteration service or professional dressmaker could be your health's best friend. I suggest that you invest in one skirt made with side plackets, just to feel the difference, then you can slowly adapt and replace skirts if you think they are more comfortable.

Re the pantihose problem, I have ditched pantihose completely because I really don't feel comfortable with my belly compressed. However, I do have a suspender belt and wear stockings (or cut off pantihose) with it when I have to look super smart and professional. The bonuses are that you don't have to reaarrange your pantihose after visiting the toilet, and you can always have them exactly the right length, with no baggy ankles or squashed toes, and you have built in ventilation. Sure, it's not quite so quick getting dressed, but I find that it is worth it for the comfort and ventilation factors. You could also try Stay Up type stockings which need no suspenders.

Louise

did you buy them like that or did you gain a bit of weight? Maybe the simple and least expensive option would be to drop a few pounds?

if you are going to shell out the money for a new wardrobe you might like to try on some maternity skirts- they have a very comfy cut and you can usually get the style you like. At the least buy some maternity hose- it's amazing!

Louise have you looked at maternity yet? seems like your figure you love the cut.

Yes, Alemama, I have looked at maternity wear, but I am not enamoured with what I can find locally. Maternity wear seems to have gone by the wayside, and there are not many maternity boutiques around. I really don't have to wear hosiery more than a couple of times a year, so it is no big deal, and I can make bottoms that fit me properly, so time and effort invested in buying from pictures on the Net is not high on my priority list. I spend too much time on the Net as it is!! Actually, I probably could find the clothes if I shopped in the western suburbs or southern suburbs of Perth, which are more affluent than my side of the city, but that is an experience I really don't look forward to at the best of times.

I seem to have to alter everything I buy, so I might as well make it from scratch. ;-)

L

I also need to look smart for work, so I appreciate your dilemma.

Just to reinforce the last point, maternity tights ( or hose if you're not English) are amazing. I've always found lycra tights uncomfortable, even when I was underweight and had a six pack. They seem to shrink over the day and squeeze your tummy and feet. Maternity tights in your ordinary size fit you like a second skin - they don't sag or bag and you can wear them with no belly, a tiny belly or an enormous pregnant belly - good quality ones just seem to adapt. No one will ever guess you're wearing maternity wear!

Skirts might be a bit more challenging. High waisted dresses are fashionable in the UK at the moment - flattering and smart enough for work and very comfy. Added benefit: they accentuate your perky whole woman posture breasts!