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.
