Hemorrhoids are one of the most unpleasant side effects of pregnancy. And what's worse, it's not even socially acceptable to complain about it, unlike nausea or swollen feet! Thankfully, there are some simple and effective ways to treat them, or even prevent them from forming. Read on to find out how.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Recognizing Pregnancy Hemorrhoids
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms
Hemorrhoids are swelling of blood vessels in the rectal area, causing itching, discomfort or pain. If you are brave enough to venture out to observe them, you will see that they appear as a bunch of grapes or small marbles protruding from the anus. They usually form during the first trimester of pregnancy or after childbirth. Among the symptoms you can find:
- Anal itching.
- Anal pain, especially when sitting.
- Bright blood red on the stool.
- Pain during evacuation, painful hard nodules in the anus.
Step 2. Understand what causes her during pregnancy
Hemorrhoids are caused by an increase in blood pressure in the veins in the lower half of the body. Too much pressure in these veins can lead to blood vessels swelling or dilating, forming hemorrhoids. Pregnant women are more susceptible to hemorrhoids for a variety of reasons:
- As the pregnancy progresses, the growing uterus puts more and more pressure on the pelvic veins and particularly the inferior vena cava (a large vein that receives blood from the lower body). In this way the blood flow from these veins slows down, resulting in an increase in pressure and with the formation of hemorrhoids.
- Pregnant women are also more prone to constipation. When you make an effort to try to clear a hard excrement, you put too much pressure on the rectal area. This can lead to the formation of hemorrhoids or aggravate existing ones.
- Pregnant women also have a higher level of a hormone called progesterone in the body. This hormone causes a relaxation of the walls of the veins, which are therefore more likely to swell and consequently to develop hemorrhoids. Progesterone also has an impact on the digestive system, easing constipation.
Step 3. See a doctor to confirm the diagnosis
If you are unsure whether you have hemorrhoids, or are unsure how they affect your pregnancy, it is a good idea to see your doctor. He can diagnose hemorrhoids with a simple rectal exam.
However, you can do other tests to rule out other conditions. These can be a stool test (to check for fresh blood), or a sigmoidoscopy or anoscopy - both of these tests use an oscilloscope to check for obstructions or tumors that may have symptoms similar to hemorrhoids
Part 2 of 3: Treating Pregnancy Hemorrhoids
Step 1. Take over-the-counter medications
There are many creams that do not require a prescription. These help relieve the pain and itching associated with this disorder, but do not cure the underlying problem.
- Use hemorrhoid creams according to the instructions on the package, and never use them for more than a week, as they can make inflammation worse.
- Ask your doctor for advice about the best cream for you. Two of these most common products are corticosteroids, which help reduce inflammation and pain, and those containing lidocaine, an anesthetic that helps numb pain.
Step 2. Try soaking in a tub
Fill a small plastic basin or tub with water, place it on the toilet, if you can, and soak for a while.
- This will keep the anal area submerged in warm water and can soothe any pain or discomfort caused by hemorrhoids. Try sitting for 10-15 minutes, once or twice a day.
- You can achieve the same results simply by sitting in a bathtub filled with hot water, but many pregnant women prefer the ease and convenience of the basin.
Step 3. Facilitates evacuation
If you want to find relief from constipation, you should ask your doctor to prescribe stool softeners.
- Since hemorrhoids are caused by increased pressure on the veins near the anus, soft stools can help decrease tension in this area, creating less pain.
- Stool softeners are available in tablets, capsules, liquids, and in syrup and are usually taken in the evening.
Step 4. Reduce itching
Scratching yourself can aggravate hemorrhoids, making swelling worse or even making them bleed. To reduce itching:
- Wear cotton clothing. These are less likely to irritate the hemorrhoids and also allow the skin to breathe, thus speeding up healing.
- Do not use scented paper towels. Avoid using scented or colored toilet paper, as it contains chemicals and minerals that can irritate hemorrhoids. Plain, white, two-ply toilet paper is best.
- Keep the area clean. Thorough cleaning every time you unload can help reduce problems, the important thing is to be delicate, as if you dry too aggressively you can aggravate irritation. Some women find that slightly moistening toilet paper with a little warm water helps. You can also purchase disinfectant wipes (containing witch hazel) specifically designed to be used on hemorrhoids.
Step 5. Apply an ice pack
An ice or cold pack applied directly to the hemorrhoids can help soothe the discomfort and reduce swelling. Apply a new clean ice pack several times a day, as needed.
Step 6. Know when to contact your doctor
See a doctor if your hemorrhoids don't improve with home treatment. Dizziness and continuous bleeding are a sign of bleeding. In this case, ask for immediate action.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Pregnancy Hemorrhoids
Step 1. Prevent constipation.
Constipation is the primary cause of hemorrhoids. Therefore, avoiding constipation can greatly reduce the risk of hemorrhoids developing. To avoid constipation:
- Drink lots of fluids. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water a day, but herbal teas, juices, and smoothies are also helpful.
- Eat a high-fiber diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. According to http: / MedicineNet, the top five foods to reduce constipation are plums, beans, kiwis, rye bread, and pears.
- In the meantime, the foods to avoid or otherwise reduce are chocolate, dairy products, bananas, red meat and caffeine.
Step 2. Don't force yourself when you go to the bathroom
If you put too much pressure during the bowel movement you can develop hemorrhoids, so try to avoid it as much as possible.
- If you can't drain easily, get out of the bathroom and try again later.
- On the other hand, if you really have to discharge yourself, you don't have to wait to empty your intestines, since holding back can also cause fatigue.
Step 3. Avoid sitting or standing for long periods
Whether sitting or standing, the greatest pressure lies on the lower veins, so avoid holding these positions for long periods of time.
- If you have a sedentary job, be sure to take regular breaks and get up and walk every so often. The opposite is true if you work standing up.
- While watching TV, reading, or sleeping, you should be on your left side, as this helps increase blood flow to the lower body.
Step 4. Do the Kegel exercises
These exercises (which are specific to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles) also help increase blood flow to the rectal area and strengthen the muscles around the anus, reducing the chances of hemorrhoids.
Advice
- If you still have a lot of discomfort after following this routine consistently for a week, you can try moistening cotton balls with fresh witch hazel (available as an astringent at the pharmacy) and apply them for 5 minutes at a time after cleaning yourself following the evacuation. You can find these packs already prepared on the market, but it is much less expensive to make them yourself. Then repeat the above steps.
- Remember that hemorrhoids are caused by exertion in the bathroom, which in turn is due to dehydration. During pregnancy and in the postpartum period, the fluids you drink are crucial for your hydration level, because the body needs a mix of vitamins and minerals IN the fluids to stay hydrated. Orange juice, lemonade, and coconut water (on sale in the health food department at your local store) are the best options; if you can't get them, you can add a splash of lemon or lime juice to the water or drink other fruit juices. Take Gatorade only as a last resort; It does NOT have the type of electrolytes suitable for pregnant women, and is high in sugar.
Warnings
- If you don't see any improvement after following all of these steps and tips within a week, see your doctor. Your hemorrhoids probably require more extensive treatment, such as suppositories, but only your doctor can tell which ones are best during pregnancy.
- As always, if you have an adverse reaction at any point mentioned in these steps, consult your doctor.
