How To Treat Hemorrhoids Pregnancy

Go When You Need To Go

This sounds like common-sense advice, but too many people ignore it. If you delay using the bathroom, your stool may become hard and dry in your bowel, which makes it harder to pass. If you strain to pass stool, your risk for developing hemorrhoids increases.

Speaking of straining, dont force a bowel movement when you dont need to go, either. Straining increases the pressure on your venous cushions, which leads to hemorrhoids. In particular, straining can turn internal hemorrhoids into external ones.

No, hemorrhoids do not always bleed.

Often, painless bleeding is a sign of the presences of inflamed internal hemorrhoids.

While rectal bleeding is a common side effect, this symptom should still be reported to your doctor.

Rectal bleeding is a symptom that can occur from many gastrointestinal disorders.

External hemorrhoids are one of the two types of hemorrhoids, and usually, these hemorrhoids do not produce blood.

Blood clots can burst and result in bleeding, but this is rare.

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What Are The Most Common Noninvasive Treatments

Some people try to treat their hemorrhoid symptoms on their own, but pregnant women should always talk to their obstetrician or a hemorrhoid specialist before using any topical creams or other medicated treatments. We help women get the relief they need as quickly as possible by helping them put a plan in place to reduce inflammation, lessen pain, and allow for speedy healing.

How Can You Prevent Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

Your body undergoes a lot of changes when youre expecting, and swelling veins can be one of them. Talk to other expectant moms during prenatal classes, share experiences or ask your instructor about natural remedies.

These steps may help you avoid hemorrhoids during pregnancy:

Avoid constipation

• Eat a high-fiber diet. Choose from fresh avocados, beans and other fruits and vegetables sold in Arizona.
• Dont delay going to the bathroom when you feel the urge to have a bowel movement. Make sure you dont sit on the toilet longer than necessary because this puts pressure on your rectal area.
• If youre already constipated, ask your healthcare provider about a fiber supplement or stool softener.
• Choose a food-based prenatal vitamin. Synthetic vitamins, especially iron, can cause constipation. Food-based prenatal vitamins are more absorbable.

Keep moving

• Get regular and safe exercise right up to your due date as long as your provider says its OK.
• Dont sit or stand for long stretches of time. If your job involves sitting at a desk, get up and move around for a few minutes every hour or so.

Promote good habits

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How To Prevent Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

Avoiding constipation is key to preventing hemorrhoids during pregnancy. Here are some tips for preventing constipation:

Eat lots of high-fiber foods. There are plenty of good ways to incorporate more fiber into your diet. Fiber-filled foods include fruits like pears , avocados, and berries vegetables such as broccoli, artichokes, and Brussels sprouts whole grains such as oatmeal, brown rice, quinoa, and even popcorn legumes including various kinds of beans, lentils, and green peas and dont forget nuts and seeds.

Drink plenty of fluids. Aim for 10 8-ounce glasses of water each day.

Use the toilet as soon as you feel the urge. Holding it in can contribute to constipation.

Try not to sit or stand for long periods of time. If you sit down at work, make sure to get up and walk around for a few minutes every hour. At home, try to rest on your side when reading or watching TV, to relieve downward pressure on your rectal veins.

Ask your doctor about using a stool softener. This can help if other methods fail to ease your constipation. Using laxative pills for constipation is not recommended during pregnancy, as they can cause dehydration and might stimulate uterine contractions.

Identify the right muscles by stopping urination midstream. .

Once you know which muscles to use, tighten them and hold the contraction for five seconds. Then relax for five seconds. Work up to holding the contraction for 10 seconds. Try to do at least three sets of 10 reps a day.

Symptoms Of Pregnancy Hemorrhoids

In some cases hemorrhoids do not present any symptoms, but in many cases its not uncommon for them to cause discomfort. Here are a few of the most common symptoms that pregnant women with hemorrhoids may experience:

• Bleeding when you wipe after a bowel movement

• Pain during bowel movements

If you are experiencing some discomfort due to your hormones, you can often manage the pain or itchiness with natural remedies, including:

• Soak in a bathtub of Epsom salt

• Take a gentle stool softener as recommended by your doctor

• Drink plenty of fluids

• Apply a cold compress to the affected area

• Increase your fiber intake to alleviate constipation

• To help with the symptoms of current hemorrhoids, try over-the-counter creams that contain witch hazel

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When Should I See My Healthcare Provider

Reach out to your provider if:

• You notice any bleeding during a bowel movement. Most causes of rectal bleeding during pregnancy, like hemorrhoids, are harmless. Some causes are serious, though. Be sure.
• Youre thinking of trying over-the-counter laxatives, stool softeners, creams, oils, or supplements. Your provider should approve any medications you take when youre pregnant.

Why Are Hemorrhoids More Common During Pregnancy

Some people are predisposed to them, but for most women, hemorrhoids are more common during pregnancy. One reason is that moms-to-be frequently find themselves dealing with constipation. The straining causes blood vessels to become swollen, says Candice Wood, MD, an assistant clinical professor at the University of Arizona and Banner University Medical Center Phoenix. In addition, higher progesterone levels cause the vessels to relax and swell.

During pregnancy, a womans blood volume will also increase significantly, by about 50 percent. That means theres more circulating blood and fluid inside the veinsso the veins are bigger just from being pregnant. Exacerbating matters is that blood flow from the lower half of the body tends to be sluggish and obstructed because of the enlarged uterusand a growing baby puts even more pressure on the blood vessels. The weight of the baby and uterus on the rectum helps push hemorrhoids out. Thats why when moms-to-be have hemorrhoids, they tend to have the worst symptoms late in the third trimester. And guess what? Youre not the only one suffering silently back there: Almost all women have hemorrhoids during pregnancy to a greater or lesser degree, Minkin says.

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Creams And Ointment For Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

Other Products To Treat Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy At Home

Ointments and creams arent the only solutions for how to treat hemorrhoids during pregnancy. There are numerous other solutions on the market that can bring relief while youre pregnant. In fact, if you want to avoid medicated options, there are plenty available. Lets take a look at some of these products.

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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.

Consume Bananas On A Regular Basis

Bananas offer great benefits when pregnant. This wondrous food is not only a rich source of folic acid, potassium and vitamin B6, but also extremely beneficial for the development of the foetal nervous system. Rich in fibre and a good source of pectin-a kind of fibre that effectively manages the food in the digestive tract bananas should be consumed on a regular basis to prevent piles during pregnancy.

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Home Treatments For Hemorrhoids

There are several things you can do to treat your hemorrhoids at home:

• Apply ice. Wrap ice or a cold pack in a cloth and apply for about 10 minutes. If you had a hospital or birth center delivery, you may have been given postnatal ice packs to bring home.
• Ask your doctor about over-the-counter treatments. Topical ointments and suppositories may provide relief. Discuss how long its acceptable to use a product . Only use a product approved by your healthcare provider. This is exceptionally important if youve had an episiotomy or tear.
• Clean the area gently, but thoroughly. Use a peri-bottle filled with warm water. Rather than using dry toilet paper, pat the area with a wet wipe. Hemorrhoid pads that contain witch hazel are often recommended, as well.
• Lie down as much as you can. Take the pressure off your backside.
• Take Tylenol or Motrin . Both are safe painkillers for breastfeeding mothers in the recommended dosages.
• Try a sitz bath. If you dont already have one, you can purchase one at the drugstore. Sitz baths can be done several times a day. Alternatively, you could simply soak in the bathtub.
• Use unscented and dye-free hygiene products. This includes toilet paper, menstrual pads, etc.
• Add fiber to your diet. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and other foods with fiber. Fiber helps to increase bowel movements.

If you want to speed things along, there are a few other things you can do in addition to your home treatments:

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.

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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.

What Exactly Is A Hemorroid

Piles, also known as hemorrhoids, are veins that have become swollen and engorged with blood â varicose veins but in your rectum, basically.

Hemorrhoids during pregnancy can either be inside the rectum or external and can cause pain, itching, and general discomfort, makinh sitting super uncomfortable.

External hemorrhoids are more likely to bleed and be itchy, while internal hemorrhoids can bleed and are typically more painful.

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Home Remedy For Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

Vary Your Activity Level

Sitting or standing for long periods of time places added pressure on the pelvis during pregnancy and can lead to the development or worsening of hemorrhoids. If you are required to sit at a desk for hours at a time, try to stand up every 30 minutes or so to stretch and walk around.

If, on the other hand, you need to stand on your feet for long periods of time , ask for a bar-height stool to sit on.

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What Causes Pregnancy Hemorrhoids

Its estimated that nearly 50% of pregnant women develop hemorrhoids during their pregnancy. Here are some common causes of pregnancy hemorrhoids:

• Another cause of pregnancy hemorrhoids can be an increase of the progesterone hormone during pregnancy, since progesterone can relax your veins and make them more prone to swelling.

• Pregnancy hemorrhoids can also be caused by the constipation that is common for women during pregnancy.

• Another possible cause of hemorrhoids during pregnancy is straining from carrying extra weight during pregnancy.

Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy And The Best Way To Treat Them

by Robert Cutler, D.O. | Jun 7, 2021 | Pregnancy and Motherhood |

Hemorrhoids during pregnancy are a common inconvenience that can be managed with some time and care. This guide will help you minimize the uncomfortable, itchy, painful symptoms of pregnancy and postpartum hemorrhoids and give you tips to help lead you back to full anorectal health.

We will also talk briefly about hemorrhoids themselves, including what they are, why half of all pregnancies result in them, how to treat them, and how best to prevent them from forming in the first place. This information helps to make sense of the practical tips I provide later.

As a practicing proctologist, Ive spent more than 30 years treating many different anorectal conditions, hemorrhoids while pregnant included, and have figured out effective treatments and prevention strategies, so read on to learn more. If you have any questions after reading, send me a message on our contact page.

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Take A Warm Sitz Bath

Fill a bath with a few inches of warm water, and sit in it for about 20 minutes. Do this once or twice per day when you are experiencing hemorrhoid symptoms. Ideally, patients should take a sitz bath after a bowel movement.

Sitting in warm water can encourage blood flow to the area, helping the veins to heal quicker. It can also soothe and relieve pain, swelling, and itching.

Internal Vs External Hemorrhoids Aka Thrombosed Hemorrhoid

Internal hemorrhoids develop inside the rectal area while external hemorrhoids develop outside, around the rectums opening. While internal hemorrhoids can go undetected with a little sensation, external hemorrhoids, also known as a thrombosed hemorrhoids, are more painful and inconvenient. Among its symptoms include:

• Painful bowel movements

According to Dr. Folch-Hayek, A thrombosed hemorrhoid is not dangerous to the baby, but it can be uncomfortable during pregnancy.

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Hemorrhoid Creams Cold Packs Sitz Baths Witch Hazel

• Hemorrhoid creams are good for reducing any itchiness, however, I found that they only soothed and did not reduce the size of my swollen veins.
• Using a cold pack or ice pack on your rectal area is great for reducing swollen veins.
• Taking a sitz bath is often recommended, however, it is important to avoid warm water. Warm water agitates swollen veins because warmth causes more blood to circulate to the area.
• Using witch hazel on a sanitary pad helps to cool and reduce itchiness.