Pooping with a Prolapse
If you have a rectocele, poop can get pocketed away from the rectal outlet and create difficulties emptying your bowel. Some will feel the need to strain when they poop, or have a feeling of incomplete emptying and need to poop again not much later after going. If a pelvic health professional has diagnosed you with a rectocele, enterocele, or perineal laxity, then try this step by step guide to have easy bowel movements without the need to strain.
Step 1. Get a squatty potty
A squatty potty will elevate your knees above your hips when you sit on the toilet. This straightens out the anorectal junction, which is like un-kinking a hose. Poop slides more easily out of the rectum, through the anus, into the toilet. There are many lovely generic brands of squatty potty’s now. And if you don’t want to spend the money, find any tub to place beneath your feet (I use my daughter’s bathroom stool).
Step 2. Sit upright with your feet well supported
When we sit in a relaxed, upright position on the toilet, we optimize the postural reflexes and anal relaxation that stimulate a bowel movement.
Step 3. Take deep breaths
Focus on taking deep breaths that expand your ribs in all directions–the front, the sides, and the back of your ribcage should expand when you breathe on the toilet. Breathing into the back ribs can especially help relax your anal sphincter.
Step 4: Try splinting
For a rectocele/posterior vaginal wall prolapse:
Insert your fingers (one or two fingers, or your thumb) in your vagina, and press backward gently toward your tailbone. For hygiene, some people prefer to wear latex or nitrile disposable gloves, or to wrap toilet paper around their hand when they do this.
There is a “Release” tool sold by Current Medical Technologies that can be used in place of your fingers
For perineal laxity:
Use your fingers to press upward on the perineum to prevent distention of the perineum as fecal matter passes through this area on its way out
You can also use the “Release” tool sold by Current Medical Technologies in place of your fingers
Pelvic Care Physical Therapy
3770 W. Robinson St. - Ste. 112 - Norman, OK - 73072
www.pelviccare.org - 405.240.9575 – info@pelviccare.org
