what is 'straining'?

Hi Michelle:

I asked that same question on a thread last night called constipation. Christine was very helpful in answering the above question. We also talked about technique. She suggests squatting which allows things inside (she said it so much more professionally then I am) to straighten out which allows you to push less and it is supposed to be less stressful on the pelvic floor. Also, it's great for your quad muscles.

I tried the above technique today. I didn't like it but I am also not used to it. I could feel that is was less stress on my pelvic floor so I will try it again tomorrow.

I also talked to my gastro office today. I asked the same question to them. She said a push is normal to sometimes get things started and staining is a sustained push that you hold for awhile. While it answers the basic question, I hesitate on trusting it as the gospel being that pelvic floor issues isn't necessarily their fortay.

- Lilly Anne

This is where I make the distinction...our bodies are meant to push out a bm - that's what the urge is all about. When we stop those energies at our hips, however, we are bit by bit, quite literally, blowing our guts out.

...Just for clarification...I made the suggestion that you feel your back vaginal wall - just once to get a sense of how things are moving - not as a routine practice. Didn't know if that was clear! :-)

I got nervous today and did feel around. Luckily, I didn't feel any buldge back there. I still do not believe that I have any other prolapses other then the cyctocele. I didn't do it while having a bm though. It makes me nervous and as strange as it sounds I am afraid if I do that, I'll tense up and it won't come out.

I guess I have some issues to overcome.

- Lilly Anne

CHRISTINE:

I AM WRITING IN ALL CAPS BECAUSE I FINALLY GOT IT. YOU ARE SAYING THAT WE CAN PUSH BUT TO DO IT WHILE SQUATTING. IT WAS LIKE A LIGHTBULB JUST WENT OFF IN MY HEAD.

I was thinking about your post instead of sleeping. It's a no guilt pushing approach (no straining). I assume once the bm does start to move it is ok to resume sitting as long as we are no longer pushing. My issue that I had yesterday is that while it felt like more of a straight shot out I felt a little incomplete. When sitting, it all comes out.

I haven't been this excited in a long time. Isn't that strange. Maybe my vicious panic cycle will stop/slow down now. It has been awful having anxiety about having a bm. It took me a few days to get it, but I do now.

Christine, you spent so much time explaining this to me. It would be such a great service to put this info. on the FAQ page. I'm sure anyone with this issue would find it valuable and be as greatful as I am. Who knew, for 40 years I've been doing it all wrong.

- Lilly Anne

That's it! Yes....I end up sitting up/down, up/down, up/down. I'm sorry if I grossed some people out with my frank discussion, but if WE can't talk about it who can? Good for you!! :-)

Christine:

I did the squatting position today but had to push kind of hard. (not sustained) kind of a push pause wait push. The urge was definately there. I even jogged in place to help. (I know that may seem strange but it did help). In any event, still ok?

- Lilly Anne

Hi ladies

Hey, I just had an Aha! moment. The reason there is a push-button lock on the toilet door is not for simple privacy. It is so we can do wierd and wonderful acrobatic things on the toilet without anybody asking us what on earth we are doing??

I mean, how would you try and explain it to anybody who had not tried 'pan-acrobatics'? LOL

And would they believe us????

I say, just do what works, keep your mind open for new possibilities, and keep the door locked!

Good luck.

Louise

No problem, Lilly Anne...we're meant to raise intraabdominal pressure during a bowel movment...sometimes raise it a lot.

Michelle...yes, or you can sit down first until the urge is right there, then rock up onto your feet.

Thanks for the suggestion to include this with the FAQs, Lilly Anne. The list really needs to be updated...so many projects!! :)

Christine:

I just wanted to thank you so much for your further clarification. It really gives me so much peace.

The kicker of it all, wouldn't it have made so much more sense for my Dr. to explain this to me instead of putting the fear of G-D in me. It just kills me that I have suffered so much this year because of him.

I really do feel so much less stressed since we've had this exchange and I for one am so grateful.

Hugs
- Lilly Anne

Christine:

I just wanted to clarify the squatting position. Do you mean squatt/hovering over the toilet. That is what I have been doing.

Or do you mean squatt so that your knees are drawn up toward your chest.

Please let me know when you have a moment.

- Lilly Anne

Yes...bum hovering just above the potty.

Christine:

Thank you for the clarification. You have really put me at ease. I haven't had any post BM anxiety attacks since our discussion.

Deepest Gratitude!
- Lilly Anne