ah...more about the bowels

Submitted by howdidthishappen on January 20, 2007 - 1:36pm
Body: 

well, here's what's going on at the moment.

after a week of things moving with great ease, i think my bowel movements are getting TOO soft and so having a bit of a hard time getting out. always something, hm?

so here's what i'm wondering.

i am still very confused by how some women are explaining the half squat position. i have found that i do a full squat (just earlier today, for example) and what felt too soft to pass, did, in fact, pass. but, of course, i'm very concerned this might exacerbate my rectocele. i read very conflicting things about this so i'm a totally flummoxed and concerned at the moment.

i am very pre-menstrual. i am also trying to remember that i have read here women frequently feel a temporary worsening of various prolapses pre-mentrually.

and does one consider the most minute amount of pressure on the rectum problematic? i mean, how is it possible not to? it feels that there is a slight push that is simply a reflex of my body when i have a bowel movement and yet i am concerned this might be exacerbating things.

thanks for any feedback here.

xsusan

Christine

January 20, 2007 - 1:55pm

Hi Susan,

Here are a few of my thoughts on the matter:

• A full squat is fine for moving the bowels – I just question whether it’s BETTER than a half squat for women and I strongly question birthing in a full squat. Granolamom thought she was in the best position possible for delivering and ended up with a nasty tear. This makes anatomic sense, as the tailbone tucks under and narrows the pelvic outlet in that position.

• There is a definite changing of both prolapse and bowels pre-menstrually. I would usually get a bit constipated until everything started to flow. I believe both of these systems are hormonally affected.

• I do not believe normal pushing while squatting or raised off the toilet seat to have a bowel movement is deleterious to these conditions. You’re right…you have to push some. I’ve even wondered if natural pushing might help reintegrate those tissues. Understand we have no data to support this.

• The half squat is simply coming up onto your feet from the seated position while keeping your buns over the bowl.

Go out and do something fun, eat well, and try not to worry. Look at all the women who are stabilizing their conditions and you shall too.

:-) Christine

granolamom

January 20, 2007 - 7:45pm

I think that the 'best position' might vary from woman to woman.
I tried the full squat for a bit, I had only begun reading the posts here and Jonathan was making his case for squatting. while I did find that stool passed much more easily, I began to notice more pressure on my cystocele. so I switched to the half squat with slight pushing.

I think you may have to experiment and see how your body works best. That can be a bit anxiety producing, because what if you make things worse? well, in my experience - limited as it is, I have found that I might make things worse temporarily but if I am paying close attention and stop doing whatever it was that caused the damage, my body quickly goes back to where it was before. so then I try something else.

let us know what you learn, we are all learning together.

howdidthishappen

January 21, 2007 - 4:38am

thanks so much christine and granolamom:

this is all about a learning curve, isn't it. and, as you pointed out granolamom, what feels like a slight set back will more than likely shift and move forward again. this whole experience for me is such a lesson -- having faith in my body's innate wisdom. i frequently overlook that.

also, as christine pointed out, everything is very shifty pre menstrually. and i can really feel that in the rectocele. the sense of bulge is uncomfortable and, when i woke up this morning and felt that and had to reminded myself that my period is a day or two away and that of course things might feel more pronouned right now.

i think i will try the half squatting over the next few days and see how that feels. i'll let you know how it goes.

oh, and speaking of learning, something i have noticed -- and, just experienced it (probably tmi, here, hm?) is that if the bowel movement is slowing down and i can definitely feel more needs to be exacuated, i lean my body towards the side and it will start to move out again. just thought i'd mention it -- sounds odd, i know, but might help someone else.

thanks again.

xsusan

Grandma Joy

January 21, 2007 - 10:43am

Hi Susan,

Just had another thought. Our intestines work quite similar to how a worm or snake moves. It is undulating all the time and there are fine hairs?(I forget what they're called) in it that helps move everythng along. There are also pockets that get filled with junk. Many things can slow down or stop that movement especially if you have a history of constipation. Things then get backed up and it may take quite awhile to get it all moving correctly. My colons are all very sluggish, especially since chemo paralyzed them. Having soft stools is much preferable to the rock hard stones, so I wouldn't worry about that too much. Our bodies have a tremendous healing power if given the right tools; however, it takes awhile. I know you are eating the right foods - pure wholesome living food - so give it some time. When you keep feeding it correctly, it can clean itself out and it will take time to clean out all the pockets that are backed up.

I know you are really working at it and I'm proud of your accomplishments thus far.

Have a great day!
Joy