I'm curious about others experiences with dilation thus far but have been questioning the anatomy a bit as I 'check around'.

This may sound really dumb and paranoid over something rather stupid. As I dilate I notice I have to actually go 'downward' a bit with the dilator despite being slightly raised to get under a stiff upper section of muscle and then push it upward or the whole dilator downward on the outside to work it's way up and in to force this muscle up. This part of the dilation I've starting to question as it also puts a lot of pressure on the bottom of the vagina itself on the outside where the two labia halves would meet. This seems to be the only part that does any form of 'clamping down'. Shouldn't the first inch's inward be clamping around the dilator instead of just downward on top of it or is it the swelling just making this process feel a bit different than it should? I have tried the many tips to 'relax' (and have relaxed to corny horror(comedy) flicks on scifi no less) but can never figure out how to get this part of the muscle to stop 'clamping down' other than forcing it up and keeping the dilator there to keep it in place.

[Most of post removed - I feel retarded. Was scared thinking I've been dilating 'something else' inside when I noticed a stitch 'ring' inside a small bulge which I just now realized was the urethra. Actually just checked for the first time. Well, score one up for feeling oddly embarrassed for being paranoid over nothing! Apparently the swelling really throws off ones sense of anatomy so early in this point.]

My doc/docs assistant watch my first dilation session to be sure that I dilate right (I am a Schaff girl). Did you got any support?

In the beginning the dilator also wents a little bit downwards. After two months the remaining skins is now stretched to there is very little downwards movement necessary. My doc left this skin because the vagina feels tighter for men in comparison to open the skin. But during 2nd surgery he opens up the skin if wished by the patient.

If fully inserted my dilator is a little bit banana shaped. For all Schaff girls that is normal.

Lara

As a Chettawut girl we were instructed to insert the dilator at approximately 45 degrees into the vagina and then slowly bring down to horizontal and slide slightly upwards into the vagina. This pushes the base of the vagina down slightly. This works very smoothly

You need to get under the pelvic bone then you flatten out the dilators.

It's Normal.

Brassard's instructions say "After you have localized the vaginal opening with a mirror, insertion should be made for the 2 first inches with a slightly downwards 15° angle.  Do not go directly towards the rectum.  After that the angle should be corrected so that the dilator becomes almost parallel to the
bed while trying to aim at the navel."

So it sounds about right...

Quote from: mrs izzy on October 07, 2014, 10:52:01 AM
You need to get under the pelvic bone then you flatten out the dilators.

It's Normal.

Ah - I was originally confused because I came across 'Zen and the Art of Dilation' and it explicitly states to never go under the pubic bone even though there is nowhere else to go. Good to know then and how others are going about their duty. It's nice to see others experiences during the process and is quite comforting.

QuoteMy doc/docs assistant watch my first dilation session to be sure that I dilate right (I am a Schaff girl). Did you got any support?

They showed me and helped me learn how of course but since it was soon after being released it was still a bit tough so didn't remember all the details. I didn't actually do the task in front of them otherwise... or remember doing so that is.

That site is helpful in a lot of ways, but it does have to be taken with a grain of salt - it's about 15 years old at this point, and not everything is still applicable.

(Also, although it does say in big letters to never insert at a downward angle... then the instructions add "It may be necessary to put your thumb or finger on the top of the dilator shaft and apply slight pressure so that the nose of the dilator passes under the pubic bone." So my guess is that it's basically a question of how the dilator and personal anatomy is designed; the "never insert downward" warning is to avoid causing a fistula by driving the dilator into the rectum, but it's generally clear to the person doing it when/how to nudge it under the pubic bone - your instincts were good. As you noted, if it doesn't go under the pubic bone it ain't going in, as over that bone is impossible. )

Also remember the angle of your hips etc determines the angle you might dilate at and also the measured depth you might get.

julie x