kegal

Helllo enjoy
I know what you mean about the kegals not feeling right. I'm supposed to be starting a 6 month programme of kegals (not called that here, we always use the more formal 'pelvic floor exercises') as directed by the physiotherapist I saw yesterday. After a month, I have to go back so she can examine me and 'check my muscle'. I don't think so!. I was thinking I would give it go, just on the off chance it might do some good, whilst at the same time concentrating on doing all the correct WW exercises, posture etc. but I'm finding that all that squeezing makes me feel rather uncomfortable and tender.
The phsiotherapist had never heard of Whole Woman and wasn't interested. I was told that her approach was as recommended by all the British medical establishment. She showed me a diagram of the pelvic organs that had the uterus and bladder floating above the vagina and told me they certainly didn't sit above the pubic bone There was also model of the pelvic bones and muscles that seemd to be 90 degrees out of kilter. Pilates was highly recommended. etc
One thing I would like to check with all you knowledgable women- I was told that the correct way to sit on the toilet for a bowel movement was with your knees higher than your hips, feet on small step or book, forearms on thighs. I even have a diagram! Is this Ok at all? I believe Christine recommends rocking forward onto your feet, which would mean your hips should be higher that your knees -wouldn't it?
Thank you as always
Tintagel

Hi Tintagel

I really don't think it makes a lot of difference how you describe it. What is more important is that when the rectum fills it is relatively straight, and that there is no other intestines scrunched down behind the vagina which causes the poo to travel a very convoluted path to get to the plop stage, in a very confined space.

I go back to Lopo. Have a look at what a dog does when it poos. It is totally un-selfconscious about it. Thanks to teenaged boys with video cameras Youtube has many clips you can watch if you don't have your own personal pooch to perve on.

Nobody has to teach a dog how to do a poo. It just does it. Its spine is quite flexed from front to back, so that gravity can assist, but its tail is lifted out the back (ie tailbone lifted). More importantly there is a lot of muscle activity going on inside the pelvis. Look carefully at the subtle movements and quivers. (This is hilarious trying to describe it.) The animal has its 'knees' very bent but most of its weight appears to be on its front legs. It is not going blue in the face and straining. In fact many of them seem to gaze around at whatever looks pretty, rather than being engaged in a whole body effort. All the action appears to be happening from the waist down. If nothing comes out it goes for a walk and waits until the urge strikes it again. They don't seem to get hung up on it the way we do. Just look at the smile at the end! They really enjoy pawing dirt over it at the end too.

Clothing and the special little room turn it into a big deal for us, especially in winter, with layers and layers of clothes. It is just a poo. ;-) (Sorry, I don't mean to belittle people who find pooing very difficult.)

Wasn't much help, was I?

Louise

Thanks as always, I'm so grateful for the time, thought and humour in your replies, I've learned such a lot from you. POP opens up a whole new world doesn't it? I don't have a dog, but I shall go and stalk one. (I can understand the smile, when it all works properly, you do feel very pleased with yourself). I do have a very old cat (20) who suffers with constipation, bless her. I cut open fish oil capsules and pour the oil her food to help her along. It works, but she smells terrible.
T xx

I think you should get a comedy award for that response Louise. I don't know if it was helpful but it was very funny.

I can empathise with you all on this thread. I had my first gynae check-up after a 6 month wait, to be told either pelvic floor exercise (they ARE effective - consultant's emphasis!) or surgery. Also told not to believe what I read on the internet. I'm in the UK, but I know this is the same sort of response you are all getting. When my physio appt. comes through I think I will forget it - I was considering going out of curiosity but now I reckn it will actually set me back.

Reading csf's thread was totally encouraging - especially since (forgive me csf!) you had such an enormous struggle with both the physical and emotional aspects of POP.

I was going to continue part-time teaching for another year. However, if financially we can manage, perhaps it's time to say stop work, and organise a lifestyle that will allow me to do everything I can to stabilise, perhaps even reverse, the rectocele.

thank you all

marigold2

Hello Marigold2
Yes, l can understand why you'd like to stop work, so would I, just to have time to live at my own pace and nurture mysef a little. Maybe one day soon. In the meantime Im lucky to have an admin job, mostly sitting down, no heavy lifting so I can cope perfectly well really.
I think you maybe wise optng out of physio. I don't believe it's actually done me any harm, apart from to my peace of mind as they are so sure that their way is the only right way and that doing pelvic floor exercises properly (lot of emphasis on this word) will work. I got the impression from my GP that I need to give the physio a try before discusing having a pessary - not that I want a pessary at the moment, but I'd like to keep that option open.
Meanwhile, WW posture is becoming more natural to me day by day and I feel that I'm coping much better than I would ever have believed possible 2 months ago, when I was panic stricken after discovering my cystocele.
Tintagel xx