Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy


What are hemorrhoids?


Hemorrhoids are swollen vessels of blood located in the rectal area. Hemorrhoids vary in size from very small to as large as a grape. They can develop inside the rectum, commonly known as internal hemorrhoids. However, can also protrude to the outside of the rectum through the anus, commonly known as external hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids can often be quite painful and uncomfortable. It is often associated with itchiness and even rectal bleeding, especially immediately after a bowel movement.


Hemorrhoids during pregnancy

It is well - known that hemorrhoids are more common during pregnancy. This is due to the fact that the uterus continues to grow during the entire nine months of pregnancy. This pressures the pelvic veins and the inferior vena cava. For this reason, the blood circulation from the lower part of the body to the heart is slower. This leads to a dilatation and swelling of the veins located below the uterus.


Constipation is another common problem with which women face during the nine months of pregnancy. It has a great impact on the development of hemorrhoids as well. As you tend to strain while having a bowel movement due to constipation, this straining will lead to the development of internal. It can develop external hemorrhoids, and even make them worse if someone had problems with hemorrhoids even before conceiving.


Increased levels of progesterone also have an impact on the development of hemorrhoids during pregnancy. Normally, the hormone progesterone relaxes the walls of the blood vessels throughout the body. This allows them to swell more easily, leading to hemorrhoids in the rectal area. Progesterone also has an impact on the gastrointestinal system by slowing it down.

This increases the risk of constipation and the development of hemorrhoids due to constipation and straining while having a bowel movement. Hemorrhoids can develop at any time during pregnancy.

However, they are more common during the thirst trimester of pregnancy as well as immediately after giving birth. The reasons why hemorrhoids commonly develop during the third trimester of pregnancy are obvious.


If a woman had never had problems with hemorrhoids before conceiving, it is a great possibility to develop them during pregnancy. If a woman had problems with hemorrhoids in the past, it is a great possibility for the hemorrhoids to reoccur and get worse. It is also not uncommon for hemorrhoids to develop during the second stage of labor, while the baby is being pushed out of the uterus.

In certain cases, blood clots can form inside the hemorrhoids, commonly known as thrombosed hemorrhoids. Thrombosed hemorrhoids lead to the development of very painful, swollen and large lumps. These types of hemorrhoids can be very discomforting making it impossible to sit, walk, and even have a normal bowel movement.


The good news is that hemorrhoids which develop during the last trimester of pregnancy or during the second stage of labor tend to go away soon after birth.

How to prevent hemorrhoids during pregnancy?


Certain tips and tricks can help prevent hemorrhoids during pregnancy:

Avoid constipation by eating a diet rich in fibers. Foods that are rich in fibers include fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, etc.


Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water is very important for overall health, especially while carrying a child. It is recommended to drink at least 10 cups of water a day, each cup of 8 ounces.

Exercise regularly and keep moving. By being physically active during the nine months of pregnancy you will stay healthy. You will prevent constipation, deep vein thrombosis and other problems which can lead to the development of hemorrhoids.


When you need to go to the bathroom, just go. It is not recommended to avoid or postpone the urge to have a bowel movement when it comes. Also, it is very important not to strain while having a bowel movement. Regular bowel movements will prevent the development of hemorrhoids.

Do Kegel exercises regularly. You have probably heard about Kegel exercises and their benefits. By doing these exercises on regular basis a couple of times a day during pregnancy can be very healthy. Not only will your pelvic floor muscles be stronger, but the muscles around the anal area as well. When these muscles are strong enough they will prevent and reduce the development of hemorrhoids during pregnancy.


Don’t spend your hours sitting or standing. If you need to sit for prolonged hours, it is very important to get up and stretch every now and then. This way you will avoid pressure on the rectal area which increases the risk of developing hemorrhoids. Once you are at home, instead of sitting or standing, try to lie down on your left side. This is in order to avoid pressure on the vena cava inferior and rectal veins.

How to treat hemorrhoids during pregnancy?


Sometimes, regardless of all the precautions taken in order to prevent hemorrhoids from developing or getting worse, they do occur. If hemorrhoids develop, both internal and external hemorrhoids can be quite discomforting. Here are some remedies how to treat hemorrhoids during pregnancy:

Apply cold. Cold compresses can help reduce the swelling of the anal area and reduce the discomfort. Apply ice packs a couple of times a day.


Apply warmth. Soaking your bottom in a tub of hot water a few times a day for at least 15 minutes can help you relieve the pain. It can also relieve the discomfort associated with hemorrhoids.

Alternate cold and warm. Altering cold and warm can help you relieve the signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids faster.


Keep a good personal hygiene. By keeping a good personal hygiene of the anal and rectal area can help you relieve hemorrhoid discomfort during pregnancy. After every bowel movement use unscented and soft toilet tissues which won’t irritate the area.

Medications if necessary. In certain cases, medications are needed for the treatment of hemorrhoids during pregnancy. Consult with your healthcare provider about the topical anesthetics or suppository medications that are safe to use during pregnancy. Also, it is very important to know that these medications are recommended only for a short period of time, usually for just a week. When used for a longer period these medications can cause various side effects including thinning and skin irritations.