How Do You Cure Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

How Long Do Pregnancy Hemorrhoids Last

Hemorrhoids in a pregnancy usually last till the birth of the baby and go away on their own once you deliver. They commonly appear in the third trimester, during child-birth, or immediately after the birth of the baby.

In some cases, hemorrhoids might persist after the pregnancy is over and require medical treatment .

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What Are The Symptoms Of Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

You can have hemorrhoids without having any symptoms at all. If you do have symptoms, they may include:

• Pain when youre pooping.
• Blood on the toilet, in your stool, or on the toilet paper where you wiped after a bowel movement .

It can be scary to see blood in your stool, but therectal bleeding from an internal hemorrhoid is usually harmless. Still, see your provider about any bleeding you notice if youre pregnant.

How To Ease Piles

Constipation can cause piles. If this is the cause, try to keep your stools soft and regular by eating plenty of food thats high in fibre.

This includes:

Find out more about a healthy diet in pregnancy.

Other things you can try include:

• avoid standing for long periods
• take regular exercise to improve your circulation
• use a cloth wrung out in iced water to ease the pain hold it gently against the piles
• if the piles stick out, push them gently back inside using a lubricating jelly
• avoid straining to pass a stool, as this may make your piles worse
• pat, rather than rub, the area

Ask your doctor, midwife or pharmacist if they can suggest a suitable ointment to help ease the pain. Dont use a cream or medicine without checking with them first.

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Study Visits And Data Collection

Each participant had a total of three study visits . The first visit took place during the first trimester of pregnancy , second visit during the second trimester of pregnancy and the third visit was carried out upon discharge from the obstetrics unit 23 days after childbirth. The First visit coincided with the study enrollment, during which a detailed questionnaire consisting of socioeconomic factors, physical activity, anthropometric data , obstetric history, perianal symptoms in previous pregnancies and the presence of chronic health conditions was filled out. The proctologic questionnaire was filled out and the physical examination was performed during each visit. On the first and second visits, detailed information about dietary habits, physical activity, alcohol and tobacco consumption was collected. Pregnancy outcomes and neonatal data were gathered from medical records during the third visit.

Fig. 1

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What Are Some Tips For Preventing Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

While many bodily changes during pregnancy cant be modified, like the weight youre gaining as your baby grows and the added pressure that puts on your backside, there are some tips you can keep in mind to try and avoid hemorrhoids before and after childbirth.

• Drink lots of water, as that helps keep bowel movements regular.
• Eat a high fiber diet in order to stave off constipation and bathroom straining.
• Avoid straining on the toilet even if bowel movements are tough. Try to eat fibrous supplements or try sitz baths to help with constipation.
• Dont sit on the toilet too long reading your favorite blogs
• Try not to sit in general for too long. Stretch your legs at least once an hour
• Do kegel exercises to keep your rectal muscles in shape.
• Dont wipe too hard with toilet paper. Switch to wet wipes or a bidet if you are becoming irritated after using the bathroom.

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Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy: Causes And Prevention

Unfortunately, hemorrhoids during pregnancy are common. Hemorrhoids are varicose veins of the rectum and are usually painful. They most often appear during the third trimester.

What causes hemorrhoids when you are pregnant?

Hemorrhoids are related to constipation. Constipation combined with increased pressure on the rectum and perineum is the primary reason that women experience these. Prolonged standing may also be a factor contributing to hemorrhoids.

What can you do to treat hemorrhoids when you are pregnant?

The good news is that the problem usually improves after the baby is born. In the meantime, there are a number of things you can do to treat hemorrhoids.

The following may help relieve hemorrhoids:

• Place baking soda on the area to reduce itching
• Take a warm bath with baking soda in the water
• Use witch hazel to reduce swelling or bleeding
• Avoid sitting for long periods
• Use Tucks Medicated Pads

What can you do to prevent hemorrhoids during pregnancy?

The best thing to do to prevent hemorrhoids during pregnancy is to avoid getting constipated. If you are constipated, avoid straining during bowel movements.

Try the following to prevent constipation:

• Do not delay going to the bathroom
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
• Know what foods you need to avoid while pregnant

ALWAYS check with your health care provider before taking any medication for hemorrhoids.

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Preventing And Treating Hemorrhoids

To prevent or ease constipation and hemorrhoids:

• Eat a high-fiber diet
• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water
• Dont strain during a bowel movement
• Increase the amount of exercise you get every day

To treat the itching or pain of hemorrhoids:

• Take warm soaks in a tub or a sitz bath. Warm water can help shrink or soothe hemorrhoids. Add baking soda to the water to relieve itching.
• Apply ice pack compresses.
• Apply an over-the-counter or prescription medicine to hemorrhoids to relieve the itching.
• A stool softener to prevent straining.

Be sure to check with your provider if your symptoms worsen or you have excessive bleeding from hemorrhoids. And remember that these problems are usually short-term and get better after delivery with time and treatment.

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How To Get Rid Of Postpartum Hemorrhoids

Fortunately, most ladies get rid of this issue without any treatment, but hipregnancy team believe that, it is better to follow some general guidelines to speed up hemorrhoid healing time and get relief as soon as possible. Donât forget to consult your doctor about your problem and ask help.

Here are some safe ways that help you get rid of hemorrhoid after pregnancy

When To See A Doctor

By following these treatments and home remedies, you might notice that hemorrhoid symptoms will resolve within a week. Consult with a doctor or your gynaecologist if you dont get relief in a week, or sooner if you experience severe bleeding, intense pain or if you pass stool thats colored black or red.

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Tips And Strategies For Preventing And Maintaining Hemorrhoids

There are a few simple tips to both prevent and manage hemorrhoids during pregnancy:

1. Stay hydrated Dehydration can worsen the symptoms of hemorrhoids, so make sure to drink enough water each day. Its recommended to aim for 8-10 glasses of fluids per day in addition to drinking more water or oral rehydration fluids if feeling constipated or dehydrated.

2. Eat a high-fiber diet Eating foods with plenty of fiber helps promote regular bowel movements and can reduce the risk of straining during defecation, which is a common factor that contributes to worsening hemorrhoid symptoms. Aim for a minimum of 25 grams of fiber sources such as fruits, vegetables, and legumes every day.

3. Exercise regularly Physical activity helps move your bowels and keep them regular, but make sure not to strain when exercising and only do gentle activities that you are comfortable with that wont aggravate your symptoms further.

4. Avoid sitting for long periods If possible, avoid staying in one position for too long since it can increase pressure on your rectal area and exacerbate existing hemorrhoid symptoms. Take frequent breaks and stand up often if you spend a lot of time sitting at work or home.

How Are Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy Diagnosed

Hemorrhoids during pregnancy are common enough that your healthcare provider will likely know that you have hemorrhoids by how you talk about your symptoms. To be sure, your provider may:

• Your provider can usually spot external hemorrhoids.
• Do a digital rectal exam. Your provider may insert a gloved finger inside your rectum to feel for any internal hemorrhoids.
• Do an anoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. Both procedures are simple and quick. They allow your provider to see inside your rectum.

None of the options sound pleasant, but getting a hemorrhoids diagnosis is more uncomfortable than painful. And dont be embarrassed. This is a routine diagnosis for your provider.

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What Else Can I Do To Get Relief

• Use an ice bag to the afflicted area a number of times a day. Ice may help decrease swelling and discomfort.
• Soak your bottom in warm water in a tub for 10 to 15 minutes a few times every day.
• Try alternating cold and warm treatments.
• Carefully but completely tidy the afflicted area after each defecation using soft, unscented, white bathroom tissue, which causes less irritation than colored, aromatic ranges.
• Dampening the tissue can help, too. Numerous women discover using premoistened wipes more comfortable than using toilet paper.
• Ask your healthcare specialist to suggest a safe topical anesthetic or medicated suppository. There are numerous hemorrhoid-relief products on the marketplace, however consult your specialist before trying one by yourself. Most of these products ought to be used for no more than a week. Continued use can cause a lot more inflammation.

Be Active And Exercise Regularly

The key to good health is being active and exercising on a regular basis. The same applies to pregnancy. Kegel exercises and muscle building exercises are extremely effective in providing relief from piles during pregnancy. However, please consult your physician before practising any form of physical exercise.

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Do You Need To See A Doctor

You dont usually need to see a doctor for hemorrhoids. Natural remedies will usually take care of them in a few days.

If youve tried all the aforementioned remedies and pregnancy hemorrhoids symptoms persist, call your midwife or doctor.

If you have severe symptoms like more than a smear of blood, a lump on the rectum, or have rectal pain, call your midwife or doctor.

Medical Treatment For Hemorrhoids

During pregnancy, always talk with your doctor before taking any medication, including those you apply to your skin . This will ensure treatments do not pose a risk to your baby.

Topical over-the-counter or prescription treatments may help hemorrhoids. These medications often include pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory ingredients.

Creams or ointments that contain hydrocortisone-pramoxine can be especially effective for reducing pain, inflammation, and itching caused by hemorrhoids. But these ingredients may not be safe for pregnancy. Make sure to discuss them with a doctor.

The doctor may also be able to recommend a safe laxative or a suppository to relieve constipation.

Some prescription oral treatments, like , are available for treating hemorrhoids, but they may not be safe during pregnancy or if youre breastfeeding or chestfeeding.

Other medical treatment options for hemorrhoids includes:

Your doctor may suggest packing the site of the hemorrhoid with absorbent bandages to avoid excessive bleeding.

You can try to reduce hemorrhoids or prevent them from developing in several ways.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Hemorrhoids And Varicose Veins In Pregnancy

Varicose veins often look like large, twisted, raised blue or purple veins on the legs often on the backs of the calves or inside the legs. They may cause mild swelling in the ankles and feet, or aching, heaviness, or throbbing in the legs. They can also cause leg cramps. If varicose veins occur in the genital area, they also appear as large, twisted, raised veins.

Stay Regular And Eat Plenty Of Fiber

Constipation is a huge contributor to hemorrhoid flare-ups. People having difficult bowel movement tend to strain, which can cause hemorrhoids. The best way to avoid constipation is to make sure your diet consists of fibrous foods. If you want a crash course in high fiber diets, check out a previous post of mine on a High Fiber Diet for Hemorrhoids.

What foods are best for hemorrhoids? The Mayo Clinic recommends eating lots of fruits and vegetables and to ask your health care provider for a safe fiber supplement to add to your nutritional intake. You can visit the Mayo Clinic FAQs on hemorrhoids and pregnancy here.

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Causes Of Hemorrhoids At Pregnancy Time:

On the other hand, there is a hormonal effect on hemorrhoids at pregnancy time. There is a large secretion of progesterone hormone, which normally relaxes the veins wall. So they become more swollen prone. This causes hemorrhoids.

With these, there are some common causes also behind these piles or hemorrhoids

• Stressing too hard during bowel passing.
• Because of carrying the extra weight of the baby during pregnancy.
• Because of sitting or standing for a long time.

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What Are The Treatments For Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

The good news is that the problem usually improves after the baby is born. In the meantime, there are a number of things you can do to treat hemorrhoids.

• Place baking soda on the area to reduce itching
• Take a warm bath with baking soda in the water
• Use witch hazel to reduce swelling or bleeding
• Avoid sitting for long periods
• Use Tucks Medicated Pads
• Analgesics: Ointment or cream can be used for external hemorrhoids, if it involves pain and irritation

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How Do You Treat Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

Education is often the best treatment for hemorrhoids until they go away on their own. They usually go away after your baby arrives.

Relieve your constipation

Having regular bowel movements can ease the strain on your hemorrhoids. The less youre straining on the toilet, the less stress youre putting on these veins. Heres how you do it:

• Eat 25 to 30 grams of fiber each day.
• Drink eight to 12 cups of water a day.
• Take a laxative but only one that your provider has approved.

Try home remedies

Try some home remedies for hemorrhoids to relieve any discomfort youre feeling.

• Apply pure aloe or coconut oil to ease minor pain or discomfort.
• Apply witch hazel to your hemorrhoids to reduce itching and pain.
• Apply either wet or dry baking soda to your hemorrhoids to ease itching.

Take the pressure off your hemorrhoids

Theres nothing you can do about the added pressure from the fetus thats putting strain on your body, but you can change your habits so that youre reducing the strain that you can control. Here are some tips:

• Dont remain standing or sitting for too long. Instead, lay on your side to take pressure off your pelvic area and bowel.
• When you do sit, use a donut pillow.
• Dont strain or linger too long on the toilet when youre having trouble pooping. Instead, focus on relieving your constipation.

If at-home care isnt working, your healthcare provider may recommend a procedure to remove your hemorrhoids thats safe for you and your baby.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Thrombosed Haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the region of your bottom which can occur internally or externally. They can happen to anyone but are also fairly common during pregnancy – affecting around 35% of expectant mothers, particularly during the third trimester.

In the later stages of pregnancy, as your body prepares to deliver your new bundle of joy, the pregnancy hormone, progesterone, causes the walls of your blood vessels relax and swell up. On top of that, as your baby grows and your uterus becomes more enlarged, its increasing weight can put pressure on the surrounding areas, including your bottom, causing haemorrhoids.

Although they can be unpleasant, piles are not generally harmful to you or your baby and can be treated quite quickly.

Other common causes of haemorrhoids which may also affect you during pregnancy are over-straining during a bowel movement or when delivering the baby, constipation, and a low fibre diet.

You may find that your tastes and diet changes during pregnancy but its worth keeping in mind that eating enough fibre helps to keep stools soft, which keeps things moving through the digestive system. A low fibre diet can result in harder stools that are difficult to pass and even constipation, which in turn can lead to haemorrhoids.

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When To Call Your Doctor About Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When Youre Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

Why Am I Getting Hemorrhoids

During pregnancy, constipation is often a struggle and with constipation comes hemorrhoids. All of that straining and time on the toilet puts pressure on your poor rectum, which can affect blood flow in that region and cause swelling.

During the third trimester, you are at a greater risk for hemorrhoids. Awesome! Thats because starting around week 25, pressure from your growing uterus and increased blood flow to your pelvic region can cause veins in the rectal area to swell and itch.

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What Can I Do For Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

• Eat a high-fiber diet and drink plenty of liquids to help avoid constipation.
• Keep your weight gain within the limits your ob-gyn suggests.
• Get up and move around to take weight off the veins of your pelvic area. Sitting for a long time puts pressure on these veins.
• Apply an ice pack or witch hazel pads to hemorrhoids. Witch hazel helps relieve pain and reduce swelling.
• Try soaking in a warm tub a few times a day.