One of the not so nice things about pregnancy is hemorrhoids or piles. They can make everyday life really uncomfortable. They make sitting or going to the toilet unbearable at times.
Hemorrhoids is swellings of the blood vessels around your bottom or your anus is its technical term they’re caused by pregnancy it self. The heaviness of your pregnant tummy causes blood to collect and therefore to make the blood vessels swell. The hormones in pregnancy make these swellings happen as well.
Treating your piles is quite simple. Wonder along to your pharmacist, have a chat to your GP or talk to your midwife. There are plenty of ointments available over the counter. There are other self-help methods that you can do at home.
You can use an ice pack, or some people use condoms filled with water, popped in the freezer overnight. Just pop them between your bum cheeks or even up your bottom if that makes it more comfortable.
Some women find that putting the piles back inside the anus is the best way forward. Water based lubricant is a good thing and just using your finger and just sliding it back into your rectum.
The best thing to help your piles during your pregnancy is to mind your diet. Plenty of green vegetables, plenty of fibre, going to the toilet regularly and not straining. Increasing your fluid intake and looking at one to two litres of fluid a day is a good way forward because it makes your stools nice and soft and easy to pass.
The pelvic floor exercises are great. They help your pelvic floor obviously around your vagina and they also help the muscles around your bottom, so the stronger those muscles are, the less the prolapsed will be.
One of the biggest things to avoid is either sitting for too long or standing for too long. What you need to do is get up, get a move in and get your circulation going.
Hemorrhoids are one of those nasty secrets of pregnancy that nobody talks about. Don’t be worried about it. You’re not going to be the only one. Eventually when you’ve had your baby things are going to get better.
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