Hemorrhoids during pregnancy

Haemorrhoids during pregnancy result from blood vessels in the rectal area or vagina that become overly swollen. Surprisingly about the 30% of pregnant women suffer from this problem.

Pregnant women are more susceptible to varicose veins in part due to the increasing amount of blood circulating in their body during pregnancy and in part due to fluctuating hormonal levels. Increasing levels of progesterone help soften the walls of veins causing them to collapse and function improperly. Haemorrhoids during pregnancy result as the uterus puts more pressure on the veins supporting the pelvis including the inferior vena cava. They can also form from straining too much during a bowel movement. Because pregnant women often experience constipation during pregnancy, haemorrhoids often become problematic. This problem tends to worsen during the last months when the foetus’ weight increases and it may further aggravate during labour and childbirth.

It is important to timely report your healthcare provider if you are experiencing haemorrhoids because other conditions can cause similar symptoms and even if it isn’t a serious problem it can lead to complications like anaemia and anal fissures. Indeed, it is necessary to win over any kind of embarrassment and consult the doctor about the possible treatments.

Fortunately there are many simple and effective strategies for treating haemorrhoids during pregnancy depending on the seriousness of the disorder and its entity. In case haemorrhoids become a serious problem, doctor may prescribe specific drugs for varicose veins that do not harm the foetus as well as soothing creams. Instead, if haemorrhoids has occurred since a few time and do not cause excessive pain and inconveniences it is possible to treat them by following simple behaviour rules.

1. First of all get daily exercise, like walking. Exercise speeds up the intestines and helps venous blood return to heart. Exercise has to be always practiced with the due cautions by dedicating to those exercises that are more appropriate to a pregnant woman and avoiding excessive strains. The ideal solution would be walking a lot, taking advantage of walking the dog or if you already have the baby carrying him in the baby carrier, in the pram or in a lightweight stroller.
2. Avoid constipation: follow a high-fibre diet, drink plenty of water (eight to ten glasses a day). This will help keep you more regular and reduce the amount of constipation you experience during pregnancy. Avoid also to get excessive quantities of foodstuff that can irritate intestine mucous like fatty foods, coffee, sugar, spicy food and obviously alcoholics. As regards your personal hygiene, use only mild soap, lukewarm water and rub gently. You should avoid using a too much hot or cold water.
3. Finally, try to avoid wearing tight clothes that may lead to local irritations and inflammations.
   

The most important thing in such a delicate pathology is win over the embarrassment of facing and talking about the problem. If not neglected, haemorrhoids do not bring particular complications and disappear completely within 40 days after childbirth. In case the situation gets worse, it is possible to undergo a little day surgery with local anaesthesia that can be the final solution to the problem.

Don’t worry, this is only one of the many little discomforts you may experience during pregnancy but it is worth bearing it to become mother!