It is not uncommon for hemorrhoids to occur during pregnancy. They are unpleasant and also painful, but by no means threatening to your baby. If you already had to deal with hemorrhoids before pregnancy or at the beginning of pregnancy, they may recur in the course of pregnancy and at birth. They can also occur without any previous signs. After birth, hemorrhoids usually disappear on their own. Only in very rare cases, it is necessary to remove hemorrhoids surgically. To prevent hemorrhoids during pregnancy, a healthy and wholesome diet rich in fiber, as well as plenty of drinking and exercise is essential. There are some home remedies as well as natural medicines that help relieve hemorrhoids in pregnancy.
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What Are Hemorrhoids And How Do They Develop During Pregnancy?
Any person can get hemorrhoids. When they do, they develop in a cushion of tissue located around the anus. This is traversed by numerous small blood vessels and, together with the sphincter muscle, ensures that the bowel is sealed. If hemorrhoids occur, the blood vessels at the anus are dilated. This can also be referred to as varicose veins at the anus. There are different degrees of hemorrhoids. In the first and second degree, the dilated vessels do not penetrate to the outside. The hemorrhoids are mild and usually, they do not hurt very much yet. In grades three and four, the hemorrhoids come out of the anus during bowel movements or when pressing. Sometimes they go back into the bowel. However, some may be felt as lumps and are very inflamed. They may bleed, but rarely hurt or itch. However, because the dilated vessels mean that the anus is no longer completely closed and the skin is also constantly irritated by fecal impurities as well as mucus, there may be itching, burning, or even pain. If the hemorrhoids become inflamed, they can even cause severe pain. During pregnancy, there are some causes that contribute to the fact that hemorrhoids are more likely to develop. For example, the vessels dilate during pregnancy and additionally loosen the tissue. Also, the growing uterus, as well as the accumulated fat reserves or edema, prevent the blood from flowing freely and can result in varicose veins and hemorrhoids. In addition, the uterus, which is gaining weight, presses on the intestines, which can cause blood to congest the vessels of the rectum. The intestines work more slowly, constipation can be the result, and pressing harder on the toilet puts very strong pressure on the blood vessels at the anus. In the same way, the pressing contractions during childbirth also have an effect and favor hemorrhoids.
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Prevent Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy?
To prevent hemorrhoids in pregnancy, it is useful to make sure that you avoid constipation. With a healthy and balanced diet, with a lot of fiber, you prevent constipation. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dried fruits, and cereals are rich in fiber. Dried fruit, such as raisins, figs, and dates, are also helpful for constipation. Dairy products also have a digestive effect. If you have constipation, you should allow longer time for bowel movements and in any case, do not push too hard. If you are unable to relieve constipation, talk to your doctor. He or she may prescribe a medication to soften your bowel movements. In addition, drinking plenty of fluids and exercising will stimulate bowel activity.
Also, remember to do your regular pelvic floor exercises. This can help you prevent hemorrhoids.
What Helps Against Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy?
If you have hemorrhoids during pregnancy, you can use a warm bath to combat the itching and pain. You should try out whether a cold or a warm bath helps you better. Some women find cold more pleasant and also resort to ice packs that they put on. Quark compresses can also prevent inflammation and cool wonderfully. Furthermore, treatment using hemorrhoid ointments is also recommended. You can find a helpful test on the various hemorrhoids ointments at gesundheit-im-leben.com. Wash your anal region thoroughly and gently after each bowel movement. Avoid perfumed toilet paper, this irritates your irritated skin even more. You should avoid standing or even sitting for long periods. This puts more pressure on your pelvic floor and can cause pain if you have hemorrhoids. To relieve pressure on your vessels, you should always try to sleep or lie on the left side of your body. For severely painful hemorrhoids, inflatable seat rings or a hemorrhoid pillow can help. However, do not use this for too long, as it does not promote blood circulation in the buttocks and thus harms the healing of hemorrhoids.
Home Remedies For Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
If you have severe discomfort due to hemorrhoids, anal tampons can reduce the irritation of the skin. Hemorrhoid ointments and suppositories with horse chestnut, nettle, yarrow, or St. John’s wort also help relieve the pain and can also help with bleeding hemorrhoids. Mix oak bark into your sitz baths, this has an astringent effect on hemorrhoids. However, sitz baths with a decoction of 120 grams of witch hazel leaves, 60 grams of comfrey root, and 2.25 liters of water work better. Let this mixture simmer on your stove for about eight hours, then strain it. You can use the decoction several times and helpfully for severe hemorrhoids. Try to do the sitz baths twice a day for 15 minutes each time. If you have a deficiency of vitamin E, it can cause hemorrhoids to develop. You can compensate for your lack of it with sunflower seeds or even wheat germ. Alternatively, you can ask your doctor to prescribe you a supplement for vitamin D. Alternatively, homeopathic medicines also help to cure hemorrhoids. Ask your midwife: She can surely recommend you some good medicines. Remember to discuss any use of medicines (including herbal) with your doctor or midwife.
