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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Anyone else have this challenge when they visit the loo? TMI alert

29 replies

dizzy77 · 05/05/2011 12:15

OK, so hiding behind anonymity joy of MN. Increasingly sure I can't be the ONLY person, but can't find any other evidence of this challenge.

So, am lucky enough not to be constipated. However, since about 30wks have been finding it difficult to reach round my bump to, ahem, wipe. Any clever solutions? Emulating the romans and sticking a sponge on a stick?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

icravecheese · 05/05/2011 12:26

couldn't help but giggle... know exactly how you feel, I was like this my last 2 pregs, luckily not that far gone with 3rd yet....but I certainly expect it to happen again!

My solution was to buy some of those flushable 'andrex moist toilet wipes'....doesn't help the reaching round bit, but does help you feel much 'cleaner' down below, just using one on the last wipe (sorry, this is so gross!!). hide them tho - my husband came to love them too and kept pinching them, this time i'll have 2 toilet trained toddlers to fight off too!!

Cattleprod · 05/05/2011 12:30

Where's your bump dizzy? Surely you reach around the back to wipe? Maybe some stretching exercises to increase the flexibility in your shoulders and back would help? Pregnancy yoga? Get a bidet installed?

KittyChat · 05/05/2011 12:44

Oh my ... how many weeks are you? I'm 31 now and have not encountered this.

Can you ask your DH to wipe? Or a colleague if you are still working and want to 'go' on company time?

LDNmummy · 05/05/2011 12:49

I'm just going to get my DP to help me if it gets that bad!

Just kidding

Actually he may have to at some point if I really cannot reach, but I will cross that bridge when I come to it.

KittyChat · 05/05/2011 12:54

I'm not precisely sure how these work, but what about buying one of these?

jasmine51 · 05/05/2011 12:59

I can relate to your problem as I have that too. I dont have an enormous bump nor am I completely inflexible so I have been wondering about others too. Someone on another thread mentioned massaging the perineum to soften it up ready for delivery...errrr are my arms unnaturally short or something, I couldnt reach my perineum with a loofah!
Anyway, my rather unsavoury solution to the wiping problem (and like you, thank goodness for annonymity) is to do my best then squat in the bath with my back to the mixer tap and have a kind of reverse hose down. Squatting seems to bring things into reach a bit better too. I guess if you have a shower head that can be taken off the wall then you could use that instead?

LaWeaselIsOupaLaDouffe · 05/05/2011 13:01

I'm not sure where the idea comes from that to wipe front to back you have to reach round your arse to do it. (My arms have never been long enough to do that properly!)

Erm, no I haven't had this problem! The wet wipes sound like a good suggestion.

LaWeaselIsOupaLaDouffe · 05/05/2011 13:02

Or if you propped your feet up on some books or a stool (so your squatting a bit as above) you might be able to reach a bit better.

nickelbabe · 05/05/2011 13:02

actually, I like the idea of a sponge on a stick.

not necessarily a sponge, but those mosit toilet wipes on a stick would work, surely.

allias · 05/05/2011 13:12

Try going in from the front but wipe back to front

BelieveInLife · 05/05/2011 13:56

No never wipe back to front!!! That's one of the primary causes of UTI's and Cystitis!

Sorry don't understand this post, surely you wipe from behind after a number 2?!!

Fluter · 05/05/2011 13:58

Oh yes, I know that one.... am 15 weeks and haven't been able to turn my body round properly for a few weeks. Perhaps those who can have smaller bumps/were more mobile beforehand/ are built slightly differently. :o

Bunnynamedstanely · 05/05/2011 14:13

Oh goodness me this thread takes me back! I had a HUGE bump (twins) and had this problem fairly early on... never found a good solution. Don't even get me started on filling those urine sample bottles- nightmare!

nickelbabe · 05/05/2011 14:14

actually, good question, there Believe - i wipe from behind when it's a poo or a wee, because I'm paranoid I'll get wee on my hand.

have you tried that, OP?

Original poster

dizzy77 · 05/05/2011 18:16

So pleased to find I'm not the only one but appreciate the confusion from some posters! Just to clarify, I can manage, just, but it, ahem, isn't getting any easier... Can't quite imagine engaging DH to help with this one .

Must be a conditioning thing: have always reached from the front (never even tried reaching round the back!), but wiped in 2 stages to avoid, erm, cross contamination . Another thing I'll have to find a clever way to teach LO when the time comes. Will try reaching round the back and the moisties!

Yes urine sample bottles! There is a she-wee thread elsewhere on here which makes me wonder about using some kind of funnel!

OP posts:

sarahmia · 05/05/2011 19:37

One of those self cleaning toilet thingys? They spray water up your bum?

WiiUnfit · 05/05/2011 19:45

Bunny & dizzy - re your urine pot problems, I bought a bargain plastic jug from Sainsburys that I only use to pee in (it stays in the bathroom cupboard & DP is well aware of what it is used for) then pour into the container - sooooo much easier, especially as I'm having it checked twice weekly!

jenga079 · 05/05/2011 22:10

What? Some people wipe their behinds from the front? Who knew? Mumsnet is a wealth of information!

No wonder you can't reach. I doubt I ever could!

posterofagirl · 05/05/2011 22:15

I have been having this problem since week 28. I just don't bend right with the bump! It is better on lower toilets, no idea why!

Original poster

dizzy77 · 06/05/2011 09:25

Tried reaching round the back, but reckon I need Mr Tickle arms to accomplish this after 30+ years of going the other way. Just goes to show there must be two separate "schools" out there, but presumably it's a habit I could form if I just persevered and trained the appropriate muscles...

Thanks for all the tips. I am relieved to find I am not the only one and delighted by the education this thread has provided.

OP posts:

buttonmoon78 · 06/05/2011 09:30

I'm a definite wiper from the front but wiping front to back still. I was humungous with dd1 and I could still manage it so you might be ok as it certainly wasn't easy but achievable!

As for wee pots, I second the jug idea. Alternatively, you could ask your MW for the cardboard bowls which sit inside the loo. That way you don't have to hold anything.

LaWeasel · 06/05/2011 11:09

jenga

Honestly, I don't know if my arse is just the size of a small blimp, but I find it really really difficult to reach round from behind. From the front is no problem!

I suppose it could just be that I've always done it that way though...

Go on, give it a go. It's really not hard!

MrsSawyer · 06/05/2011 11:18

Am I the only one wanting someone (braver than me) to start a thread.."how do YOU wipe your arse"!

Original poster

dizzy77 · 06/05/2011 11:23

LOL MrsSawyer. Sounds like we need polling buttons!

OP posts:

Cattleprod · 06/05/2011 11:25

I can't understand the wiping from the front. How can you possibly reach round past your ladybits and all the way to the upper section of your arse cleavage - that's a far longer distance than just reaching around the back?

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