Thank you all...

Submitted by sng05 on February 20, 2008 - 3:45pm
Body: 

I just wanted to thank all of you who responded so quickly to my first post. While I am still not happy about the situation, at least now I have a way to cope with it----and others to talk with about it---which is the most important part for me.

I was really wondering about the "not being able to go." I just figured if the frequency WAS because of gravity-related issues, that would only mean having to go all the time (or not making it to the bathroom.) I never knew it could make it hard for me to go or empty my bladder. I've always had the problem of not being able to go if I'm anxious (like when you're at a public bathroom and you know someone is waiting for you, etc.) but this is beyond that.

Fortunately I have no leaking (yet!) The worst that happens is that when I finally can let that last little bit go (that wouldn't come out before--sometimes I have to go in 'shifts' because I can't empty all the way) it's very concentrated and smells so strong. (I usually wash off with a warm cloth after, so I don't smell like that.) The doctor was very suprised that I have no infection. So far, so good.

I was reading about 'Nature's Platform' yesterday and gosh, it all makes so much sense. It would be SUCH a relief to not have that pain back there before and after going (it's a deep throbbing pain on the side closest to my spine---like someone is trying to stick a butcher knife up my butt (sorry...) Sometimes I have to go lay (NOT sit) down and do breathing exercises until it starts to go away. With one of my babies they cut me clear through into my butt (I can still feel the scars left by the stitches inside my vagina.) I've never been the same, since. My last baby, I insisted they not cut me ANYwhere---just let me rip---and it was healed up in a little over a week. (I KNEW about this with all the other babies---but didn't have the confidence to stick up for myself. I wish I would have been more assertive when I was younger...)

Do any of you have one of those (Nature's Platform) and do you notice a difference using it? (Kind of weird how places where people use this method don't have problems like hemmoroids, colitis, colon/intestinal cancers, and other 'bottom' problems.) It made total sense how the thighs help with the 'pushing' when squatting. It makes a person really think! Also do you have any good suggestions for the pain? (I usually put witch-hazel on a few large cotton balls and that helps a little bit to shrink the swelling.) I can picture myself falling off the platform---not sure I'd really feel comfortable using it. Just curious what you think or if you've tried it...

Thank you all for being here,
S&G

ATS

February 20, 2008 - 4:01pm

I am not sure if I have understood your post correctly but I think you are having trouble emptying your bladder completely, am I correct? Christine suggests that the best way to do this is to get on hands and knees either in the shower or with a bowl underneath you and that way the bladder tips back into its natural position and will empty completely. I am also gathering by your description that you have haemorrhoids and I definately know how painful they can be. I feel like I am passing a razor blade instead of stool and afterwards I need to sit or lye down for 10 minutes until the throbbing pain subsides. Depending on how bad they are they can bother me all day long. Witch-hazel on cotton balls is a good idea and that was suggested to me by someone else on this forum. I have found a roid cream which contains witch hazel which works pretty well for me but I do have problems with constipation since the rectocele so its hard to keep it under control.

I don't have one of those platforms so can't help you on that but I have noticed that when I squat down into that position my prolapes feel really bulgy so I try to find other ways of sorting it out. If I can't go then I do a warm water enema and that always does the trick!

The things we have to do eh!

I'm glad you found this forum - its great to be able to talk about these things and get help and suggestions from someone who knows what you are going through.

Anita

Soupy

February 20, 2008 - 4:42pm

Hadn't heard of it before but I'm happy to play guinea pig and get one. might no be much a review though, i'm a bit of a prude when it comes to talking about bottom stuff!

http://www.naturesplatform.co.uk/

granolamom

February 20, 2008 - 5:31pm

only have a min right now but in short....
never bought the natures platform but I did try the squatting thing for a while (squatted right up on the toilet seat) while it did seem a bit easier for the stool to pass, it put aLOT of pressure on the anterior vaginal wall. did NOT like that at all.

in her book, christine suggests lifting your bum slightly up off the seat and supporting your weight with your hands on your knees. that's for bowel movements.

for urinating, as mentioned already, try the all-fours thing. that helps empty the bladder completely.

it seems also, that different things work for different women. for some odd reason, some of us have good results when twisting slightly to the right. go figure.

louiseds

February 20, 2008 - 7:30pm

Hi S&G

Try typing "nature's platform" into the search box. There have been other posts in the past about this device. I would be trying the free methods first, before spending money on a device that may or may not work better. Also, you can't always go to the toilet in your own house. Be blowed if I am going to keep one in the boot of the car!

Cheers

Louise

Soupy

February 21, 2008 - 8:24am

quick question - do you think it did put more pressure on the anterior wall..or could it have been that it made you more aware of the pressure on the anterior wall. I noticed the same after some acrobatic loo experimentation of my own last night but came to the conclusion it was the latter of the two..

xxx

ATS

February 21, 2008 - 8:39am

I also find when squatting down in that position I feel A LOT of pressure on the whole area including my pevlic floor and I really do not like that feeling. I have avoided squatting positions since my son was born as even before prolapse it made my pevlic floor muscles hurt like a bruised feeling. Something I have suffered since his arrival and will probably have to suffer that feeling for the rest of my life. I have noticed since changing posture I now also feel that bruised muscle type feeling in my labia area and when I kegel its really sore but if I hold the kegel for a few seconds or so it feels better but at some point I have to release! Not sure what to do about that really.

Soupy

February 21, 2008 - 9:00am

are you squatting with you feet flat?

i read in an ofp (optima foetal positioning) book that we westeners struggle with balancing on a flat footed squat and instead squat on our tipptoes. the ofp book said that this produces too deep a squat which does not create the same optimal posture for giving birth in that the flat foot version does..

granolamom

February 21, 2008 - 2:32pm

I think that in a full squat, my bladder (and the anterior wall) bulged more. a full squat, as shown in the nature's platform ads might be a perfect pooping-posture for men, but I think we women are better off keeping our bladders over the pubic symphysis. a full squat, ime, is asking for trouble. especially when you're dealing with the increased intraabdominal pressures of a bowel movement.

granolamom

February 21, 2008 - 2:35pm

I was squatting with flat feet. I had practiced this during my third pg and birthed in that position, thinking it was best. in retrospect, it probably further traumatised the area.

Clonmacnoise

February 21, 2008 - 7:44pm

Ladies,

I love the squat - any kind - feet flat, knees together head on knees; feet apart (like frog) shoulders moving head toward the floor; legs stepping forward and deep knee squats in a row; plea to the ground; runners squats - all because squats feel good to stretch what is stretchable -- BUT I too have found that there is pressure in the abdomen from some squats that is not encouraging. Taking the pressure off means lifting the spine way up in an arch. This is contra to the posture, but it helps the spine stay flexible and makes the posture easier when you are not exercising.

The squat with knees out like a frog lets the belly relax between legs and really takes the pressure off. Then the object is to quietly fold forward until your forehead is touching the floor. Will take some doing, but the balance and spine stretch are very nice.

One of the things I've noticed recently is that squatting is something older people don't do much if they can escape them. I think the squat keeps one in shape, so I continue to practice, but now like a frog! Being flexible is something that has got to work in favor of the body.

Downward dog is also one of those positions that needs to have feet flat on the floor.

Judy