Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
Getting Through the Last Trimester
For pregnant women, constipation and hemorrhoids can be unwelcome, but constant, companions. During the second trimester of your pregnancy, food starts to move through your stomach more slowly to give its nutrients time to reach your baby. This slowed pace is one of the causes of constipation during pregnancy.The last trimester can be particularly difficult. According to the Office on Women's Health, in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, hemorrhoids are common late in pregnancy and after childbirth. The reason is that weight gain and hormonal changes place extra pressure on the rectal area.
Also, because your uterus is expanding, it can add to the problem by increasing the stress on your rectal veins. Giving birth only makes those hemorrhoids more painful.
The good news is that hemorrhoids generally improve or disappear once your baby is born. The bad news - you've still got to get through those nine months, especially the last trimester, with the discomfort caused by hemorrhoids.
13 Things You Can Do
Here are 13 things you can do during pregnancy to prevent or relieve hemorrhoids:- Avoid sitting for long periods. This places constant pressure on your rectal veins. If your job requires sitting for long stretches, try to break up the time you spend seated. If you can, at least once every hour, get up and walk around for a few minutes. (This is good advice even if you're not pregnant.)
- Elevate your hips. Whenever possible, reduce the pressure on your bottom and the veins in your rectal area by placing a pillow underneath and raising your hips. Sitting on a "doughnut," or a small inner tube cushion, may also help.
- Lie on your left side. At home, try to rest lying on your left side 2-3 times daily for at least one half hour. If you read or watch television, lie on your left side and take the pressure off your bottom. At night in bed, at least start out lying on your left side. This will relieve the pressure from the fetus on your rectal veins.
- Practice good hygiene. Keep your bottom clean. Avoid rough or scented toilet paper. It only irritates your piles and makes your discomfort worse. Ask your doctor about using Tucks, or another medicated premoistened pad, to wipe yourself. These are made especially for people with hemorrhoids, so you can clean yourself after a bowel movement without further irritating the area. Tucks, and many other wipes, are premoistened with witch hazel and are safe to use during pregnancy.
- Take a sitz bath. Run enough warm water in the bathtub to cover your bottom. Sit with your knees elevated to your chest for about 15 minutes. Do this 2-3 times a day to give your rectal veins time to relax and soften. Read more about preparing your sitz bath here.
- Improve your diet. To relieve hemorrhoids, you must avoid becoming constipated. Eating a fiber-rich diet is key to this effort. Fiber-rich foods include fresh raw or cooked leafy green vegetables, fresh fruits with their skins on whenever possible, whole grains, nuts, and beans. These foods help soften stools, making it easier for your body to pass and eliminate them without pain. Pregnant women should not eat raw sprouts. Download a free gude on what else you should not eat.
- Avoid
low-fiber and processed foods. These are foods with no
nutritional value and usually are high in calories. Worse, they make
your stools harder, making it more difficult for your body to eliminate
them without pain or bleeding. Anything that contains white
sugar,
white flour, or any form of corn syrup or that is precooked and
packaged with additives should probably be restricted or eliminated
from your diet.
- Drink lots of fluids, especially water. Drink at least 8 8-oz glasses of fluids, except alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and sodas. You need more water when you're pregnant. Juices (especially fresh fruit or vegetable juices) and decaffeinated teas are fine. Still, water is always best. Fluids soften your stool, making it easier for your body to eliminate your waste and the toxins they contain.
- Eat smaller meals, more often. According to the Mayo Clinic, starting during the second trimester of your pregnancy, food slows down as it travels through your stomach. This sometimes leads to constipation and heartburn. Eating small, frequent meals can help.
- Exercise daily. Get regular exercise. Find something you enjoy and do it for 20 minutes every day. Think of it as making time for yourself, because that's what you're doing. No heavy lifting!
- Watch your weight. Gaining too much weight during your pregnancy can place abnormal stress on your rectal veins. This can lead to hemorrhoids. Eating a fiber-rich diet that restricts junk food, drinking at least 8 glasses of fluids daily, and exercising regularly will all work to keep your weight from spiraling during pregnancy.
How
much weight gain is right for you? MyPyramid for Pregnancy Weight Gain,
developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is an interactive
website that helps you calculate what's right for you. The site also
provides lots of great information to help you personalize an eating
plan.
- Don't strain while on the toilet. Breathe out while pushing, but don't strain. Straining can make your hemorrhoids worse. Elevating your feet by placing them on a step stool while having a bowel movement helps some women. Others squat, a technique used effectively in many countries. Some simply read to shift their focus elsewhere, giving their body time to relax and respond. Whatever you do, remember, the longer you sit on the toilet, the more likely you are to strain.
Instead, establish regular
times for eating meals, and then adhere to your schedule. Then,
establish a regular time for going to the bathroom to eliminate those
meals - and adhere to that schedule.
Training your body to expect bowel movements at about the
same
time each day is a very effective method for avoiding constipation.
When your body says it's time to go, go, even if it's not your
scheduled time. Never delay bowel movements, because this makes stool
harder and more difficult to pass.
Read more about training your bowels.
- Ask your doctor for advice. Many over-the-counter remedies can lessen your discomfort during pregnancy. Fiber supplements and stool softeners are generally safe during pregnancy. Your doctor or pharmacist can recommend effective ones that are suitable for your specific needs. Your doctor may also recommend a suppository, topical cream or anesthetic, or ice packs to take the sting out of hemorrhoidal tissues. Always consult with your doctor before taking a laxative during pregnancy.
Click here to download more pregnancy do's and don'ts.
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