Is a little pushing the same as straining?

Submitted by Lilly Anne on April 30, 2007 - 6:41pm
Body: 

I have a bowel movement question as it pertains to prolapse. Ok, when having a bowel movement I know that we are not supposed to strain. Usually, when I have my first movement it comes out all by itself. Sometimes when having the second one I feel it kind of stop just before exiting. it just doesn't seem to have the same momentum. I have had to give a little push, not a sustained push and not what I would really call a strained push but a little push just the same. Once I feel a little movment, I discontinue pushing and breath deeply until it exits.

Is the little push that I am describing still considered straining? Is this going to damage me further?

Some feedback on this would be so greatly appreciated!

wenz

April 30, 2007 - 11:33pm

Hi, I have had to be very careful about pushing on BMs as too much causes a noticeable drop in my prolapse. However, I have to say that I sometimes have to push a little and most of the time there doesn't seem to be any adverse effects from it. Also one thing I do after a BM is to hold one kegel for 10 counts. I just do that as a habit now, I'm not sure if it does much but there you go.
Cheers,
Wendy

Lilly Anne

May 1, 2007 - 10:17pm

Thank you for your response. I have been so nervous that I am potentially doing further damage. I do feel a little bit better. Tonight I spoke to a friend who doesn't have prolapse but is a nurse. She said that she thought it was fine to give a little push when needed. That made me feel better too.

- Lilly Anne

wenz

May 1, 2007 - 11:52pm

Hi again Lilly Anne - glad you feel better. I can't imagine that some strain on your anus isn't there even when a BM is smooth and unforced - I mean things stretch don't they just to get the stool out. Since I have been putting more fibre in my diet, I have found the whole process much easier on everything, and I know there has been a lot of talk about what things to eat etc that help with all this. I guess the only thing that would be better for your prolapse is not to go at all, lol. Cheers, Wendy

Lilly Anne

May 2, 2007 - 6:40pm

You know, I have often thought that as well. Even when not pushing the movement itself can sometimes be rigorous.

I too eat lots of fibre and follow all the rules. Sometimes a small push is necessary to get the job done though.

- Lilly Anne

mouchoir

May 3, 2007 - 8:02am

I remember Christine writing before that if you need to push/strain at all that you should get up off the toilet seat into a semi squat and push so the pushing energy is being used succesfully and not being stopped by the toilet seat. She mused that perhaps this might even be good for a rectocele (if I remember correctly!).

Lilly Anne

May 3, 2007 - 6:39pm

I'll have to give that method a try. What I really try to do is to read or count just to try to think about something else. I think I tense instead of relax.

- Lilly Anne