Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Identifying Hemorrhoids in Pregnancy
• Part 2 of 3: Treating Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
• Part 3 of 3: Preventing Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
• Tips
• Warnings

Hemorrhoids are one of the most unpleasant side effects of pregnancy. And even worse - it is not customary to complain about him, unlike nausea and swollen legs! Fortunately, there are several simple and effective ways to treat hemorrhoids and, in the first place, prevent them from occurring. Just start at Step 1 below to find out how to do it.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Identifying Hemorrhoids in Pregnancy

1. 1 Find out the symptoms of hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the rectum that cause discomfort or pain. If you are brave enough to risk looking at it, you will see that it looks like a bunch of grapes or small balls protruding from the anus. Hemorrhoids usually form during the first trimester of pregnancy or after the birth of a baby. Its symptoms include:
   • Anal itching.
   • Anal pain, especially when sitting.
   • Bright red blood in stools.
   • Pain during bowel movements, very painful bumps in the anus.
2. 2 Find out the causes of hemorrhoids during pregnancy. Hemorrhoids are caused by high blood pressure in the veins in the lower half of the body. Too much pressure in these veins can cause blood vessels to swell or dilate, which manifests as hemorrhoids. Pregnant women are more likely to develop hemorrhoids for a variety of reasons:
   • As your pregnancy progresses, the growing uterus puts more and more pressure on your pelvic veins and the inferior vena cava (the large vein that receives blood from the lower body). Blood flow from these veins slows down, which leads to increased pressure and therefore hemorrhoids.
   • Pregnant women tend to experience constipation.When you strain to have a heavy bowel movement, you put excessive pressure on the rectal area. This can lead to the formation of hemorrhoids or aggravate existing ones.
   • Also, pregnant women release increased levels of a hormone known as progesterone. This hormone causes the walls of your blood vessels to release tension, causing them to swell, resulting in hemorrhoids. Progesterone also affects the digestive system, which again leads to constipation.
3. 3 See your doctor to confirm the diagnosis. If you are not yet sure if you have hemorrhoids, or if you are worried about how it might affect your pregnancy, you should see your doctor. A doctor is able to diagnose hemorrhoids with a simple rectal examination.
   • However, other tests can be done to rule out other diagnoses. This includes stool analysis (indicating the presence of fresh blood in the stool), sigmoidoscopy or anoscopy - both options include the use of a special device (anoscope or sigmoidoscope) to check for obstructions or malignant neoplasms that can mimic signs of hemorrhoids.

Part 2 of 3: Treating Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

1. 1 Use brand name drugs. There are many proprietary hemorrhoid relief creams. They help relieve pain and itching caused by hemorrhoids, but they do not treat the underlying problem.
   • Use hemorrhoid relief creams according to package directions. Never use them for more than a week because they can worsen inflammation.
   • Ask your doctor for a recommendation on the best cream. Two of the most common hemorrhoid creams are a corticosteroid, which helps reduce inflammation and pain, and a cream containing lidocaine, an anesthetic that helps numb pain.
2. 2 Try sitz baths. A sitz bath is a small plastic basin that you can draw in water and attach to your toilet space.
   • This allows you to submerge your anal area in warm water to soothe pain or discomfort caused by hemorrhoids. Sit in the bath for 10-15 minutes once or twice a day.
   • The same result can be achieved while sitting in an ordinary bathtub filled with hot water. But many pregnant women prefer the simplicity and convenience of a sitz bath.
3. 3 Relieve constipation. If you want to relieve constipation, ask your doctor about a prescription for emollient laxatives.
   • Since hemorrhoids are caused by increased pressure on the veins near the anus, an emollient laxative helps to relieve pressure on these veins, thereby reducing pain.
   • Emollient laxatives come in the form of tablets, capsules, liquids, or syrups, which are usually taken at night.
4. 4 Reduce itching. Itching can make hemorrhoids worse by only irritating the swelling or even causing bleeding in the area. To reduce itching, you need to:
   • Wear cotton clothing. It won't irritate your hemorrhoids too much, and it will also allow your skin to breathe, which speeds up healing.
   • Do not use scented toilet paper. Avoid scented or colored toilet paper because it contains chemicals that irritate hemorrhoids. Plain, white, double-ply paper is best.
   • Maintain your cleanliness. Dry yourself thoroughly after a bowel movement to reduce problems - just be careful, as too harsh movements increase irritation. Some women find it helps to moisten the toilet paper with a little warm water. You can also buy medicated wipes (containing hemamelis) specifically for hemorrhoids.
5. 5 Use an ice pack. An ice pack or cold compress is applied directly to the hemorrhoid, alleviating discomfort and reducing swelling. Apply a fresh, clean ice pack several times a day.
6. 6 Call your doctor if necessary. See your doctor if home treatment fails to improve your condition. Dizziness and continuous bleeding are signs of blood loss. Get help immediately.

Part 3 of 3: Preventing Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

1. 1 Prevent constipation. Constipation is the very first culprit in hemorrhoids. Therefore, by avoiding constipation, you can reduce the likelihood of hemorrhoids forming. To avoid constipation, you need:
   • Drink plenty of fluids. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water a day, as well as healthy herbal teas, juices and smoothies
   • Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains with fiber. According to http: MedicineNet, the top five foods to reduce constipation include prunes, beans, kiwi, rye bread and pears.
   • Among other things, constipation can be reduced by eating chocolate, dairy products, bananas, red meat, and caffeine.
2. 2 Don't strain yourself when going to the bathroom. Stress can lead to the development of hemorrhoids, so try not to do this if possible.
   • If you are having trouble defecating easily, get out of the toilet and try again later.
   • On the other hand, if you really need to go to the toilet, don't wait to ease your bowel movements, because holding on to stool can also be stressful.
3. 3 Try not to sit or stand for long periods of time. Both sitting and standing put pressure on the lower veins, so try not to do either one or the other for a long time.
   • If you are working seated, take regular breaks - get up and walk. If you are standing up, do the opposite.
   • While watching TV, reading or sleeping, lie on your left side because this allows you to increase blood flow to your lower body.
4. 4 Do Kegel exercises. Kegel exercises (which are designed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles) also help increase blood flow to the rectal area and strengthen the muscles around the anus, preventing hemorrhoids from forming.

Tips

• Remember hemorrhoids are caused by stress, which in turn is caused by dehydration. During pregnancy and the postpartum period, the fluids you drink are critical to your hydration levels because your body needs a mix of vitamins and minerals in fluids to stay hydrated. Orange juice, lemonade, and coconut water (sold in the natural foods section of any grocery store) are the best liquids. If you can't get your hands on these drinks, add a syringe of lemon or lime juice to the water. Go other juices. Only use Gatorade as a last resort, as it lacks the right electrolyte for pregnant women and is high in sugar.
• If you still have a lot of discomfort while doing your daily program consistently for a week, try soaking cotton pads in chilled witch hazel (available as an astringent in pharmacies) and applying it for 5 minutes at a time after each bowel movement when dry. ... It is also marketed as Tucks, but much cheaper. Then repeat the steps above.

Warnings

• If there is no improvement after following all of the above methods for a week, see your doctor. Your hemorrhoids may need more intensive treatment, such as suppositories, but only a doctor can prescribe the best treatment during pregnancy.
• As always, if you have any negative reactions to any of these steps, check with your doctor.