I know, I KNOW – as if being pregnant wasn’t tricky enough, what with the swollen feet, random strangers being really over-familiar and annoying and oh god, the hell that is morning sickness.
And now, I give you another (teeny but very irritating) thing to worry about – pregnancy haemorrhoids.
What is a haemorrhoid?
A haemorrhoid is a swollen or stretched-out vein that lines the anal canal and lower rectum.
Are they inside or out?
They can be both. External hemorrhoids occur under the surface of the skin at the anal opening and internal hemorrhoids may either bulge into the anal canal or protrude out through the anus, in which case they are called “prolapsed”.
What is it about being pregnant that causes them?
Well, a few things.
1. Your growing uterus is one – as the baby grows, there is greater pressure on the veins in your pelvic area which can cause them to become swollen.
2. Constipation – this other delightful pregnancy issue means that you strain to have a bowel movement which in turn can lead to haemorrhoids.
3. Progesterone – the pregnancy hormone causes the walls of your veins to relax which allows them to swell more easily. (Sneakily, progesterone also contributes to constipation – wah!)
Do they hurt?
It really depends on their severity, position and size. They can range from being itchy or mildly uncomfortable to terribly painful.
You may feel a dull pain deep inside the rectum area which is an indicator that you may have a haemorrhoid.
There can also be some bleeding after a bowel movement.
What can I do to make them go away?
Generally speaking, they should disappear after you have had your baby and you will happily forget about them.
And in the meantime, here’s what you can do to help the symptoms:
1. Be gentle – try not to push if you feel constipated as that will aggravate the situation! Wait until you really need to go and take your time.
2. Keep Kegeling – Kegels increase circulation in the rectal area and strengthen the muscles around the anus, decreasing the chance of haemorrhoids.
3. Have a soak – sitting in lukewarm water in the bath for fifteen minutes a few times a day will help ease the swelling and the pain.
4. Ice up – if you can bear it, place a cold compress (with witch hazel if you like!) to the area to reduce swelling.
5. Make a change – make sure your loo roll is unscented and as soft as you can find.
6. Diet plan – try to get as much fibre into your diet as you can, to help with any constipation issues you may have.
7. Stock up – talk to your pharmacist about any helpful creams or ointments. Most of us have heard of Preparation H but there are other brands and suppositories available too.
8. Moisturise – you might find that wipes are more gentle to use than toilet paper. Witch hazel-infused wipes are available specifically for people who have haemorrhoids.
*As always, if you are in any way concerned about your health, you should contact your GP immediately.*
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