Bowel movements (you have been warned!)

Ana did you watch "Red Dwarf" ? In one episode the crew find themselves on a planet where everything happens in reverse. The fastidious Cat nips into the bushes on a call of nature and comes back very traumatised, refusing to talk about his experience.

Fibrogel?

www.boots.com/en/Fybogel-Hi-Fibre-Orange-30-Sachets_25139/
Currently out of stock, apparently, so you may not be the only one with a problem phoenix

jings

Suggestion

In an obstetric case, forceps would be indicated, but that doesn't seem appropriate. I would prescribe manual pressure applied an inch to one or both sides of the exit route, angled inwards at 45 degrees or so, so as to form a dent in the offending object just above its sticking point and narrow it enough to get through. A touch of lubricant might help too. Longer term, a visit to the GP to see whether the cause is a rectocele.

"Unforunately"

Ana unforunately when it happens it beyond the "going back in" stage, hence the wriggling.

And isn't it horrible when you have to give up and let it go back in again...? [yuk emoticon]

A daily sachet of Movicol works for me where all else has failed.

Good afternoon all, and thanks again for your advice!

I think that perhaps I ought to attempt a little clarification with regard to my predicament, as some seem to think that it may be constipation, which I don't think it is.

I will try (for the sake of decency, and so as not to alarm those of a more sensitive nature, not you jings, of course ) to further explain.

The baby's head is out, but the shoulders won't follow.
The eagle is hovering above the (watery) nest, but has not quite landed.
The engine of the train has almost arrived at the station, but is reluctant to hit the buffers.
Houston, we have not quite achieved splashdown.
The chick has broken through the egg, but not quite fully hatched.

Syrup of Figs
or, as I used to call it when it was forced on me by DM: Syruppy Figs

Apparently pears are good (probably dried ones are better)
Prunes
Sprouts
Lentils and dried legumes
Dried fruit
Lots of water

Failing all else, a bit of Vaseline? (upwards, not swallowed )

Check your blood pressure just in case

DD and I have the same problem, we were chatting one morning about how much poo we had managed so far that day when there was a cough from the corner, DD had been talking to a Dutch friend on XBox before I came upstairs and he heard the lot, and more.
Oooops.
I find pea and ham or lentil soup works best for me, DD coffee and fruit.

Answer to your question jbf is No!

You are right about the aspartame - why they put it in there I cannot imagine!

If I drink any more liquid I will be single-handedly keeping Tena Lady in business.

Fybogel contains aspartame, which aggravates silent reflux. Better to stick to dried figs and a drink of water. Which are much more enjoyable too.

this was the bit I was looking for

The fiber in prunes puts your digestive system back into working order by stimulating peristalsis, a wave-like movement of the intestinal muscles that moves food through the digestive system. It also absorbs water, which breaks down the blockages that cause constipation, allowing for the proper processing and absorption of nutrients

mrsjones it is dehydrated prunes that work the best, not juice. But you do have to make sure you drink enough.

Interesting extract:

Like many fruits, prunes are high in insoluble fiber, which adds bulk to food in the process of digestion while also helping it pass through the system faster. Prunes also contain sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that's used to sweeten things like chewing gum. It appears naturally in prunes, though it's often used as an artificial sweetener in "sugar free" chewing gum. Sorbitol is a laxative, which is why you should be mindful of how much sugar-free gum you chew.

The sorbitol isn’t working alone, Compound Chemistry's Andy Brunning says. Prunes are naturally laced with neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acids—the same chemicals that can help send you to the bathroom after finishing your morning coffee.

So yes, prunes can ease the passage of certain personal parcels

Shame I don't like coffee.

I have had this problem for a while but thought it was only me. I have never mentioned it to anyone so it has made me feel better to read others have similar problems. I do find that Dulcoease works well and the occasional small glass of prune juice gets things moving.

Our old familt doctor, when we were children (70 years ago!) used to refer to prunes as 'black coated workers' which gave me a lifelong loathing of prunes!

Fibogel , available over the counter and on script is very gentle and just natural fibre . It works very well ! I think it is an age thing as everything seems to slow down , that and maybe a rectocele as others have mentioned . I don`t think there is any treatment for a rectocele but I stand to be corrected if there is .

Luckygirl do you ever get any relief from anything?

Is the whole of medical science totally wasted on you?

Chocolate is a guaranteed bung up for me.

I resort to a glycerin suppository most days - it's a pain in the arse - so to speak. I have fruit, liquid and lactulose coming out of my ears and everywhere else, except the relevant orifice!

Things like fybogel give me gut gripes and I avoid the movicol type laxatives as the basic active ingredient is the same as is in anti-freeze! - it doesn't really appeal.

The anti-depressant I take compounds the problem.

It is slightly ironic because I spent decades with IBS and was sh***ing about 10 times a day.

Don't strain! My colo-rectal surgeon, who is getting sick of the sight of me after unpicking my bowel twice I'm 6 months, forbade me to even think of doing this! Dulcolax or Tesco's own brand at half the price, works well. And loads of fruit and veg, plus check your B6 levels.