What Helps With Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

When To Call Your Doctor

Hemorrhoids occur commonly in pregnant women. Several easily available home remedies could prevent a journey of pain and discomfort if rightly practiced. It is important for an expecting mother to be aware of hemorrhoids symptoms to administer the right preventive measures and seek the appropriate treatment in time.

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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:

• Eat a high fiber diet
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Do not delay going to the bathroom
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables

Learn How To Treat Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

Hemorrhoids are common during pregnancy, because the enlarged uterus places pressure on the large vein that drains the veins of the large intestine. Constipation, a common problem during pregnancy, causes less frequent and more strained bowel movements. The bowels commonly move more slowly during pregnancy. And iron in prenatal vitamins also can cause constipation.

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.
• An over-the-counter or prescription medicine to apply to hemorrhoids to relieve the itching.
• A stool softener to prevent straining.

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How To Treat Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

Pregnancy hemorrhoids are common and occur in around 30% of pregnancies. In some ethnicities, up to 80% of pregnant women suffer from the condition. If you are pregnant and have developed hemorrhoids, this article will answer all your questions about the illness.

Well discuss what hemorrhoids are, why they occur during a pregnancy, how long they last, when to call your doctor, and how to prevent them.

Well also take a look at how you can treat them during pregnancy, and what you should do if they persist after you deliver.

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.

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What Medications Are Used To Treat Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

If constipation is making your hemorrhoids unbearable, your healthcare provider may prescribe a laxative, hemorrhoid cream, or a fiber supplement. Always check with your provider before taking any over-the-counter medications. Your provider is your best resource for making sure youre choosing options that are effective and safe.

Hemorrhoids In Pregnancy: These Tips Really Help

Many women fight hemorrhoids during pregnancy. The reasons for this are diverse. We explain what you can do about the disease and when it is time to see a doctor.

Hemorrhoids are a topic that you do not like to talk about, as is the case with many others Intestinal disease is mostly the case. It is not at all unlikely that you will experience one yourself. Inflammation and enlargement of hemorrhoids. They are affected. Especially in the the pregnancy the risk of this happening is greatly increased. So that you are well prepared in the worst case scenario, we provide you with all the important information on the subject.

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• 3. Drink a lot!

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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.

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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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.

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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How To Get Rid Of Hemorrhoids Fast During Pregnancy

Hemorrhoids during pregnancy are one of the most common problems that most of the women suffer. In most of the cases hemorrhoids during pregnancy is temporary. It normally starts as soon as you conceive and ends after few months of your delivery. Though hemorrhoids during pregnancy are considered temporary they are very painful and give lots of discomfort.

My wife too was suffering from hemorrhoids during pregnancy of my first daughter. As she knew that I am also hemorrhoid patient since last few years, she always use to ask me questions like how to get rid of hemorrhoids naturally while pregnant or will this she be able to shrink hemorrhoids after pregnancy. Sometime she feels so uncomfortable due to hemorrohids that she use to call me in middle of my meeting and ask me how to cure hemorrhoids in 48 hours Well I never get angry on her as I know how it feels when you have hemorrhoids during pregnancy.

I have suggested many methods and creams for hemorrhoid pain relief which she can use during pregnancy and with those creams and ointments she is feeling better. This is the reason she told me to write this blog and share this details so others can also take benefits of this hemorrhoids cream during pregnancy.

Are Hemorrhoids Different During Pregnancy

Also called piles, they can look like varicose veins when outside your body. Hemorrhoids develop frequently during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester and during and shortly after childbirth.

You may have hemorrhoids only during pregnancy, or you may have them at other times of your life as well.

The causes of your hemorrhoids may be unique to pregnancy. You can often treat or prevent hemorrhoids with home-based remedies and lifestyle adjustments.

There are two types of hemorrhoids:

• internal hemorrhoids, which are inside of your body
• external hemorrhoids, which are outside of your body

Your symptoms may vary depending on which type you have.

hemorrhoid symptoms during pregnancy

Generally, you will experience these symptoms with external hemorrhoids. You may have no symptoms with internal hemorrhoids.

You may also develop a blood clot in an external hemorrhoid. This is known as a thrombosed hemorrhoid. They are generally hard, inflamed, and more painful.

Its possible to push out an internal hemorrhoid when having a bowel movement. If this occurs, you may experience bleeding and discomfort.

Up to 50 percent of women develop hemorrhoids during pregnancy.

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What Can Cause Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

The increase in the hormone progesterone during pregnancy can also contribute to the development of hemorrhoids, as it relaxes the walls of your veins, making them more prone to swelling. An increase in blood volume, which enlarges veins, can also contribute to hemorrhoids during pregnancy.

Three common additional causes of hemorrhoids during pregnancy include:

• Straining during bowel movements
• Straining from carrying extra pregnancy weight
• Sitting or standing for long periods of time

Hemorrhoids are most common in pregnant women who experience constipation.

As many as 38 percent of pregnant women become constipated at some point during their pregnancy, according to research published in the journal BMJ Clinical Evidence.

One cause of constipation during pregnancy may be when the growing uterus pushes against the bowel. Iron supplements you may take can also contribute to constipation, so its worth trying to get the iron you need naturally through your diet.

Pregnancy hormones can also slow down the movement of food through the digestive tract, making constipation more likely.

How Are Haemorrhoids Treated During Pregnancy

Because constipation worsens haemorrhoids, treatment options centre around preventing or managing constipation, or reducing pain associated with haemorrhoids.

Treatment options include the following:

• Lifestyle changes having a diet high in fibre and drinking lots of water will help ensure you dont need to strain on the toilet. External haemorrhoids can be treated by placing an icepack on the affected area to reduce swelling. Taking a warm bath may also help to reduce the pain.
• Laxatives these help ease any straining associated with constipation. They help you pass bowel movements more easily.
• Pain relief medicine paracetamol can help address pain associated with sore, swollen veins, and can be taken during pregnancy. Be sure to follow the directions for use.
• Haemorrhoid creams help address itchiness, pain or inflammation, and contain active ingredients such as corticosteroids or local anaesthetics.

Speak with a health professional such as pharmacist before using medicines or creams while pregnant.

Avoiding constipation is the best way you can reduce your chance of haemorrhoids. A healthy gut helps stop you from straining during a bowel movement. Eat a diet high in fruit, vegetables and wholegrains, and drink plenty of water.

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How To Get Rid Of Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

First the bad news: Hemorrhoids are permanent, so unfortunately, you cant get rid of them per se. The somewhat good news? Some women may not feel any symptoms, and if thats the case with you, then you dont have anything to worry about, Sullivan says. Just monitor it. However, if yours are uncomfortable, you can at least treat the symptoms. Heres how to ease hemorrhoid pain during pregnancy:

Ice pack. The simplest remedy, a cold compress can offer immediate, albeit very temporary, relief.

A sitz bath. This is an easy home remedy for pregnancy hemorrhoids. If youre having pain, your best friend is a warm tub of water, Minkin says. You dont need to put anything in itjust sit there and read a book for 10 or 15 minutes. Get out of the tub, pat the area dry, and then take your hair dryer on low heat to the areaits soothing, and you dont have to rub the area. Follow up with an over-the-counter medication .

Witch hazel pads. These have a cooling effect and can be used to clean the area or, when folded, as a compress to reduce swelling. One mom, plagued with no less than five hemorrhoids during pregnancy, found these pads to be especially helpful. I use witch hazel wipes or pads every time after I go to the bathroom, she says. In addition to generic witch hazel pads, you can also find treatments specifically for hemorrhoids, such as Tucks.

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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The Bottom Line About Treating Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

Half of women get hemorrhoids during pregnancy. That number is so high because the changes your body goes through while gestating are naturally contributing factors to hemorrhoids:

These changes are necessary for a growing baby, but bad for a body susceptible to hemorrhoids. Make yourself as hemorrhoid-proof as possible by strengthening your rectal walls with kegel exercises, staying regular with high fiber foods and plenty of water, and taking as much weight off of your pelvic floor as possible by staying active and sleeping on your side.

If you already suffer with problematic hemorrhoids, they can be treated during pregnancy with topical medicine and sitz baths to relieve your symptoms. Doctor Butlers Advanced Formula Hemorrhoid & Fissure Ointment fights symptoms while delivering healing herbs and essential oils that can keep you focused on attending to your baby and bodily needs during and after pregnancy. Be sure to discuss with your personal physician the use of all over the counter medications before using, while pregnant or nursing.

About Robert Cutler, D.O.

What Can I Expect If Im Pregnant And Have Hemorrhoids

Youll likely experience some discomfort that you and your healthcare provider can work together to address. Your hemorrhoids may get worse before they get better. Sometimes the pushing during labor makes hemorrhoids worse immediately after delivery. Within a few weeks, though, your hemorrhoids should be getting better.

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If Youre Having A Bowel Movement

• Squat to do your doo. Squatting is the natural way to poo. Sitting, or worse, leaning back, pinches the intestines so your stool gets stuck. It puts a lot of pressure on the rectum. Squatting, on the other hand, lets everything relax. You can try raising your legs up and leaning forward so youre in a more squat position, or you can invest in one of these.

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Medically Treating Hemorrhoids In Pregnancy

There are medical solutions to problem internal and external hemorrhoids, ranging from the application of OTC ointments to surgery. Surgery is reserved for the most serious and chronic of cases where skin has been permanently stretched out. If pursuing any at-home remedies, still do let your doctor know about the treatment.

Whether pregnant or not, surgery is only advised for hemorrhoids that are causing prolapse, excessive bleeding or pain that will not resolve with ointments, lifestyle changes or in-office treatments. Speak to your doctor if you have chronic hemorrhoids that stay painful no matter how you try to remedy the problem.

If you notice you have external hemorrhoids, but they arent causing you any pain or irritation, then its actually recommended treating the internal hemorrhoids with medicine to help prevent further progression of the external hemorrhoids. If your hemorrhoids are painful however, try the methods discussed above as well as an ointment with Lidocaine and healing herbs to numb the area and promote healing like Doctor Butlers Hemorrhoid Cream or protective Pregnancy Spray

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What Are Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the rectal area. They range in size from as small as a bead to as large as nickel, and can be inside or outside the rectum.

“Pain and itching are the main symptoms. They usually worsen during bowel movements,” says Cathleen Harris, MD, an independent member of the HonorHealth medical staff. Hemorrhoids also tend to bleed. Pregnancy hemorrhoids are no different than the ones you may experience when you’re not pregnant,” she notes.

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 that’s 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. Don’t use a cream or medicine without checking with them first.

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