How to pass BM properly/when is bearing down too much??

[Sea_Star]

I was asking my mom if we're not supposed to bear down at all? I haven't been backed up(constipated), maybe 4 times, and within the past year I apparently developed diverticula in the sigmoid (scared to death Incidental finding on colonoscopy to check for Crohn's acitivity.

So not straining of course, but do we just sit and it comes out? (Sorry, I know it's tmi!) or are we supposed to push/bear down a little?! This is ridiculous....you'd think at 25 I know how to "properly" go to the bathroom :/

 

[theOcean]

You can push but try not to strain. If you find you're straining too much, it may be a good idea to try metamucil which adds more bulk and makes it easier to pass a bowel movement. I'd personally recommend the kind that you mix into a drink, which I found more effective.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

It's normal to push a little and signal the brain for evacuation. You don't want to strain, it should come easily and without pain. If that's not working you may need to discuss options with your doctor to avoid putting too much pressure on the tissue.

 

[Pusheen]

My body needs to relax before anything comes out.. So I spend quite a lot of time on the looseat, before anything comes. I won't necessarily push much, but as nogutsnoglory, a little to let the body know that it is time..

Sometimes it can take up to 20 minutes.. and I sit and read a book.. this is when I do feel the need to go...

I did have a lot of inflammation in the rectum, so that might have to do with this..

 

[CrohnsChicago]

Yes, your body does need to relax before you can push through. I personally use Miralax. It's not a pill, you drink it and it won't cause spasms that some laxatives make you have. It naturally draws water into the intestinal area to soften and help you pass stool more easily and naturally.

It would be a good idea to call your doctor and get some suggestions from them if this keeps up

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

I agree with Chicago, being relaxed is important. If I'm having trouble passing stool, I find that taking a warm bath really relaxes my bowels, and when I get out of the bath I can usually poo much more easily. A heating pad on your abdomen could help relax things, too. I've also read that peppermint is good at relaxing the digestive tract, but shouldn't be used if you have GERD/acid reflux (it can relax the entire digestive tract, including the valve between stomach & esophagus, which would then allow more reflux to come up). Hot drinks can help move things along as well, so perhaps you could try some peppermint tea and see if that does anything for you.

 

[shamrock15]

Good notes above. I know that some here are proponents of that toilet stool sort of invention that raises your feet a little, creating a better angle for stuff to move. While I don't have one, I have noticed that sometimes raising the feet does seem to help a little. I too suffer from rectal issues. Seems every couple years I need a dilatation. My GI has recommended a little mineral oil, about a tablespoonful at night, when things get problematic. Seems to help a little.

 

[Eternal_Howl]

I have decades of experience with constipation (beginning as a baby) and no sign of diverticula. I wouldn't really consider that straining a little over four episodes would have caused it. The constipation is probably the symptom, not the cause.

For natural assistance, I recommend dried turkish apricots, dates and prunes, or even licorice and really increase your water intake as it will help get more fluid into the bowel and soften that stuff.

I'm not sure if I'm supposed to name things here or not, but after surgery in 2005 for ovarian cancer, I had a very sore and sleepy bowel and I was told about a concoction of herbs that acts as a lower bowel stimulant. It was extremely helpful in getting through the first weeks post-op and I keep some in the cupboard, just in case.

You can push a bit, but don't bear down like you're trying to give birth to a bowling ball. You're not, but honestly, after having a kid a couple of years back, the after effects from child birth felt like the muscles in my butt had dropped out. Couldn't walk properly for over a week. You do NOT want that result! Push a little, ease off and try again. Just gently, so as not to strain too much, but get your body into the notion that things are on the move. You may have to grab a book and sit down and relax a little too.

As a former poster said, raising your feet or getting something you can lift your feet on to can help to reposition the body. Sitting on a toilet isn't the most ergonomic way to take a poop, but I'd rather sit than squat. Some people find visualizing helps to get things moving too.