Haemorrhoids: Fast Treatments For Haemorrhoids in Pregnancy

What Are Haemorrhoids?

Haemorrhoids, aka Piles, are like varicose veins in the rectum – the veins in the lower rectum and anus become swollen and inflammed. Haemorrhoids can either be internal or external.

Internal haemorrhoids are found inside the rectum. These are usually painless but have a tendency to bleed.

External haemorrhoids feel like hard lumps. They are like small haemorrhages under the skin around the anus.

Some people also experience prolapsed haemorrhoids, which are a more painful form of internal haemorrhoids. Prolapsed haemorrhoids push through the anus and protrude from the body, usually after going to the toilet. Sometimes, these veins can hang out permanently due to the anal sphincter strangling them.

Symptoms of Haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids can be very distressing to experience due to the symptoms involved, which may include:

• Pain/dull ache, which is worse during or after a bowel movement
• Sharp, intermittent pain in the anal region
• Bright red (fresh) blood upon wiping with toilet paper or on the surface of your stools
• A burning sensation
• Itchiness around the anus
• A skin tag or bulge around the anus
• Mucus discharge
• If the blood inside the swollen areas clot (thrombosis), this can cause extreme pain in the anus.

If you experience any of these symptoms, particularly bleeding, it is important that you see your doctor to confirm the diagnosis as they are also symptoms of other problems too, some quite serious.

Why Do You Get Haemorrhoids During Pregnancy?

Haemorrhoids don’t pop up overnight, they develop slowly over time. They are common during pregnancy due to increased blood volume, increased pressure in the rectum/anus due to the weight of pregnancy and constipation. Hereditary factors also come into play. Sitting on hard surfaces for long stretches of time, heavy lifting as well as sitting or standing for long periods can also contribute to the development of haemorrhoids.

Blood Volume

During pregnancy, your blood volume increases to such an amount that that you veins become dilated. The veins below the increasing weight of your uterus are more susceptible to becoming varicose (abnormally swollen or dilated) as your growing baby and uterus places increased pressure on them.

Constipation

Constipation can result in haemorrhoids from straining, which can weaken the blood vessels and lead to haemorrhoids. Make sure you have a diet high in fibre, drink enough fluids and exercise regularly to prevent constipation – see your pharmacist for safe fibre preparations if you need.

If you notice any of the following, please consult your Obstetrician or doctor:

• If symptoms do not improve or worsen after 7 days
• A change in normal bowel habits for more than 7 days
• A persistent pain in the abdomen or anal region

How Can I Treat Haemorrhoids?

There are several things you can do to treat haemorrhoids using a combination of diet, natural remedies and over the counter preparations.

Natural Remedies

• Tissue salts, which you can get over the counter from your pharmacy or a health food store
• Witchhazel which you can also purchase from your pharmacy, is used topically. You can apply it on a cotton ball to the affected area when going to bed. Leave the wet cotton ball on overnight and you will usually see great results in 2-3 days.
• Phytopro by Metagenics – you will need to see a naturopath for this one, but taking them around 2-3 times a day will usually result in haemorrhoids disappearing within 1-2 days.
• Arnica – Make up a solution of one tablespoon of arnica tincture in one litre of cold water, apply topically twice per day, using a facewasher or other clean cloth.
• Warm baths several times a day in warm water for 10 minutes or so.
• Acupuncture for improving blood circulation

Herbalist Hilda Hemmes recommends:

50g Shepherd’s Purse 30g Knotgrass

Prepare the herbs as a hot tea infusion and drink 3 cups per day.

She also recommends to apply Swedish Bitters tincture directly onto the haemorrhoids twice daily.

Diet

A diet high in fibre from vegetables, fruits and cereals will help with softer bowel movements that are easier to pass and will help keep you regular. Make sure you are drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day.

Medical Treatments

Apart from diet and the other suggestions above, there are a number of other treatments for haemorrhoids (depending on the type), including:

• Astringent ointments or suppositories to shrivel the haemorrhoids (available over the counter from your pharmacist, e.g. Proctosedyl)
• Injections
• Rubber band ligation
• Surgery as a last resort

Chat to your GP about treatment options so that you have a treatment plan in place which is safe for you and your baby.

Tips

1. If you have external haemorrhoids and find wiping after going to the toilet to be painful, try some gentle babywipes.

2. BellyBelly Forum member, ‘Julie Doula’ recommends:

“I made a herbal bath to soak all my tender bits in – and I added a good amount of sea salt to my baths or sitz baths to help myself heal. I also used a peri-squeeze bottle which was a life-saver on the toilet.

These are the herbs I put in the herbal bath sachets (tied up in a muslin bag):

- Lavendar - Uva Ursi - Calendula - Rosemary - Comfrey - Sage

Lovely smell and very soothing, I found.”

3. Buy a rubber ring to sit on if you have pain when sitting

Do you have any helpful tips for women with haemorrhoids? Email Us with tips that have helped you.

Kelly Zantey is a birth attendant (aka doula) the creator of BellyBelly, mum to two beautiful children and has just opened the BellyBelly Pregnancy Centre in Canterbury, VIC.