• Home

  • Read

  • Listen

  • Watch

  • Workshops

  • More

    Hemorrhoids can be a real pain

    During pregnancy many obvious changes occur in the body. One big change is the size of your uterus, which expands so large that during the 3rd trimester it no longer fits in your pelvis. This growth helps you bring a human life into the world but it also puts pressure on a structure called the Inferior Vena Cava. This structure is a large vessel located on the right side of your body that carries blood from your lower limbs back up to the heart. Uterine pressure on the inferior vena cava together with higher progesterone levels in pregnancy cause swelling in the veins below that result in hemorrhoids. The increased progesterone also contributes to constipation and straining for a bowel movement also increases the risk and extent of hemorrhoid development.

    Hemorrhoids can present as a single lesion or even a cluster of marble shaped structures. It is not uncommon for the hemorrhoids to become a “thrombosed hemorrhoid” which is when a blood clot forms inside the hemorrhoid. A thrombosed hemorrhoid can become painful and swollen and even prevent comfortable walking. Almost every hemorrhoid will be tender to the touch and some can cause rectal bleeding, especially during a bowel movement. Hemorrhoids are more common in later stages of pregnancy, and during birth due to the increased pressure from pushing. Some women get them for the first time during pregnancy, however, if there is a previous history of hemorrhoids, they are more likely to occur during pregnancy. The good news; after birth when the hormones subside and the uterus shrinks to its normal size the hemorrhoids resolve on their own.

    With hemorrhoids affecting roughly 35% of the pregnant population there are some things you should know. Some tips that may help minimize hemorrhoid formation is incorporating lots of fiber and water to your diet to reduce constipation. If you are constipated, don’t force it! Straining for a bowel movement will only add more pressure to dilated blood vessels and increase the chance of creating a hemorrhoid. Sleeping on your side can decrease rectal pressure, or even taking a few minutes out of your day to lay on your left side if you’ve been standing for long periods of time. If the hemorrhoids do come, you can alleviate some of the symptoms by using ice packs or Witch Hazel, using these can ease the stinging sensation. To reduce discomfort, swelling and promote tissue regeneration you can try herbal remedies like Ma Ying Long Hemorrhoid Ointment, a natural, topical ointment commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. If sitting is a struggle, you can buy a donut pillow to reduce the pressure placed on that area. Lastly, taking a warm bath will help you stay clean and reduce some discomfort to the irritated tissue. If the hemorrhoid does not subside after birth other chemical forms of treatment could be used for removal, however, it is rare for a hemorrhoid to require surgical removal.

    Tags:

    • Hemorrhoid
    • pregnancy
    • Pain
    • relief
    • Pregnancy
    • •
    • Pain
    • •
    • Hemorrhoids
    Featured Posts
    Post Partum Healing: How to Support Emotional Healing after Pregnancy and Birth

    Post Partum Healing: How to Support Emotional Healing after Pregnancy and Birth

    Prenatal Fitness | By Lindsey Mathews, DC

    Prenatal Fitness | By Lindsey Mathews, DC

    Selecting Your Birth Team | By Ana Paula Markel CCE, CD

    Selecting Your Birth Team | By Ana Paula Markel CCE, CD

    Don’t Get Stung by the Buzzwords! | By Melinda Olson, RN/BS

    Don’t Get Stung by the Buzzwords! | By Melinda Olson, RN/BS

    Group B-Strep | By Davi K Khalsa, CNM

    Group B-Strep | By Davi K Khalsa, CNM

    Understanding Stretch Marks | By Kim Walls, MS

    Understanding Stretch Marks | By Kim Walls, MS

    13 Myths About Vaginal Birth After Cesarean | By Jennifer Kamel of VBACFacts.com

    13 Myths About Vaginal Birth After Cesarean | By Jennifer Kamel of VBACFacts.com

    How to Restore Your Core Postpartum | By Lara Catone

    How to Restore Your Core Postpartum | By Lara Catone

    Invest in a Good Quality Nursing Bra | By Lisa Goodman 'The Bra Lady'

    Invest in a Good Quality Nursing Bra | By Lisa Goodman 'The Bra Lady'

    Roadside Delivery: Part 3 | By Marisa Callahan

    Roadside Delivery: Part 3 | By Marisa Callahan

    {"items":["5fb5866da9932400173ed66c","5fb5866c47709f00171fe210","5fb5866c47709f00171fe20f","5fb5866c47709f00171fe20e","5fb5866b3870c7001705d0f4","5fb5866b3870c7001705d0f3","5fb5866b3870c7001705d0f2","5fb5866b3870c7001705d0f1","5fb5866b3870c7001705d0f0","5fb5866b3870c7001705d0ef"],"styles":{"galleryType":"Strips","groupSize":1,"showArrows":true,"cubeImages":true,"cubeType":"fill","cubeRatio":"100%/100%","isVertical":false,"gallerySize":30,"collageDensity":0.8,"groupTypes":"1","oneRow":true,"imageMargin":0,"galleryMargin":0,"scatter":0,"rotatingScatter":"","chooseBestGroup":true,"smartCrop":false,"hasThumbnails":false,"enableScroll":true,"isGrid":false,"isSlider":false,"isColumns":false,"isSlideshow":true,"cropOnlyFill":false,"fixedColumns":1,"enableInfiniteScroll":true,"isRTL":false,"minItemSize":120,"rotatingGroupTypes":"","rotatingCropRatios":"","columnWidths":"","gallerySliderImageRatio":1.7777777777777777,"numberOfImagesPerRow":3,"numberOfImagesPerCol":1,"groupsPerStrip":0,"borderRadius":0,"boxShadow":0,"gridStyle":0,"mobilePanorama":false,"placeGroupsLtr":false,"viewMode":"preview","thumbnailSpacings":4,"galleryThumbnailsAlignment":"bottom","isMasonry":false,"isAutoSlideshow":true,"slideshowLoop":false,"autoSlideshowInterval":3,"bottomInfoHeight":0,"titlePlacement":"SHOW_ON_HOVER","galleryTextAlign":"center","scrollSnap":true,"itemClick":"nothing","fullscreen":true,"videoPlay":"hover","scrollAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","slideAnimation":"SCROLL","scrollDirection":1,"scrollDuration":400,"overlayAnimation":"FADE_IN","arrowsPosition":0,"arrowsSize":18,"watermarkOpacity":40,"watermarkSize":40,"useWatermark":true,"watermarkDock":{"top":"auto","left":"auto","right":0,"bottom":0,"transform":"translate3d(0,0,0)"},"loadMoreAmount":"all","defaultShowInfoExpand":1,"allowLinkExpand":true,"expandInfoPosition":0,"allowFullscreenExpand":true,"fullscreenLoop":false,"galleryAlignExpand":"left","addToCartBorderWidth":1,"addToCartButtonText":"","slideshowInfoSize":160,"playButtonForAutoSlideShow":false,"allowSlideshowCounter":false,"hoveringBehaviour":"NEVER_SHOW","thumbnailSize":120,"magicLayoutSeed":1,"imageHoverAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","imagePlacementAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","calculateTextBoxWidthMode":"PERCENT","textBoxHeight":0,"textBoxWidth":200,"textBoxWidthPercent":50,"textImageSpace":10,"textBoxBorderRadius":0,"textBoxBorderWidth":0,"loadMoreButtonText":"","loadMoreButtonBorderWidth":1,"loadMoreButtonBorderRadius":0,"imageInfoType":"ATTACHED_BACKGROUND","itemBorderWidth":0,"itemBorderRadius":0,"itemEnableShadow":false,"itemShadowBlur":20,"itemShadowDirection":135,"itemShadowSize":10,"imageLoadingMode":"BLUR","expandAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","imageQuality":90,"usmToggle":false,"usm_a":0,"usm_r":0,"usm_t":0,"videoSound":false,"videoSpeed":"1","videoLoop":true,"jsonStyleParams":"","gallerySizeType":"px","gallerySizePx":220,"allowTitle":true,"allowContextMenu":true,"textsHorizontalPadding":-30,"showVideoPlayButton":true,"galleryLayout":5,"targetItemSize":220,"selectedLayout":"5|bottom|1|fill|false|1|true","layoutsVersion":2,"selectedLayoutV2":5,"isSlideshowFont":true,"externalInfoHeight":0,"externalInfoWidth":0},"container":{"width":220,"height":284,"galleryWidth":220,"galleryHeight":123,"scrollBase":0}}
    Recent Posts
    Cholestasis of Pregnancy

    Cholestasis of Pregnancy

    Take Two

    Take Two

    STD's and Pregnancy- What You Need to Know.

    STD's and Pregnancy- What You Need to Know.

    When 'Morning Sickness' Lasts All Day

    When 'Morning Sickness' Lasts All Day

    Momnesia

    Momnesia

    Hemorrhoids can be a real pain

    Hemorrhoids can be a real pain

    Does what I eat really affect my milk?

    Does what I eat really affect my milk?

    Nitrous Oxide in Labor

    Nitrous Oxide in Labor

    Project Bumpway

    Project Bumpway

    The Epidural Cocktail

    The Epidural Cocktail

    {"items":["5fb5866c3f69fb0017e016c4","5fb5866c3f69fb0017e016c3","5fb5866afae0240017599fa4","5fb5866afae0240017599fa3","5fb5866afae0240017599fa2","5fb5866afae0240017599fa1","5fb5866afae0240017599fa0","5fb5866afae0240017599f9f","5fb5866afae0240017599f9e","5fb5866afae0240017599f9d"],"styles":{"galleryType":"Columns","groupSize":1,"showArrows":true,"cubeImages":true,"cubeType":"max","cubeRatio":1.7777777777777777,"isVertical":true,"gallerySize":30,"collageAmount":0,"collageDensity":0,"groupTypes":"1","oneRow":false,"imageMargin":22,"galleryMargin":0,"scatter":0,"rotatingScatter":"","chooseBestGroup":true,"smartCrop":false,"hasThumbnails":false,"enableScroll":true,"isGrid":true,"isSlider":false,"isColumns":false,"isSlideshow":false,"cropOnlyFill":false,"fixedColumns":0,"enableInfiniteScroll":true,"isRTL":false,"minItemSize":50,"rotatingGroupTypes":"","rotatingCropRatios":"","columnWidths":"","gallerySliderImageRatio":1.7777777777777777,"numberOfImagesPerRow":3,"numberOfImagesPerCol":1,"groupsPerStrip":0,"borderRadius":0,"boxShadow":0,"gridStyle":0,"mobilePanorama":false,"placeGroupsLtr":true,"viewMode":"preview","thumbnailSpacings":4,"galleryThumbnailsAlignment":"bottom","isMasonry":false,"isAutoSlideshow":false,"slideshowLoop":false,"autoSlideshowInterval":4,"bottomInfoHeight":0,"titlePlacement":["SHOW_ON_THE_RIGHT","SHOW_BELOW"],"galleryTextAlign":"center","scrollSnap":false,"itemClick":"nothing","fullscreen":true,"videoPlay":"hover","scrollAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","slideAnimation":"SCROLL","scrollDirection":0,"scrollDuration":400,"overlayAnimation":"FADE_IN","arrowsPosition":0,"arrowsSize":23,"watermarkOpacity":40,"watermarkSize":40,"useWatermark":true,"watermarkDock":{"top":"auto","left":"auto","right":0,"bottom":0,"transform":"translate3d(0,0,0)"},"loadMoreAmount":"all","defaultShowInfoExpand":1,"allowLinkExpand":true,"expandInfoPosition":0,"allowFullscreenExpand":true,"fullscreenLoop":false,"galleryAlignExpand":"left","addToCartBorderWidth":1,"addToCartButtonText":"","slideshowInfoSize":200,"playButtonForAutoSlideShow":false,"allowSlideshowCounter":false,"hoveringBehaviour":"NEVER_SHOW","thumbnailSize":120,"magicLayoutSeed":1,"imageHoverAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","imagePlacementAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","calculateTextBoxWidthMode":"PERCENT","textBoxHeight":60,"textBoxWidth":200,"textBoxWidthPercent":75,"textImageSpace":10,"textBoxBorderRadius":0,"textBoxBorderWidth":0,"loadMoreButtonText":"","loadMoreButtonBorderWidth":1,"loadMoreButtonBorderRadius":0,"imageInfoType":"ATTACHED_BACKGROUND","itemBorderWidth":0,"itemBorderRadius":0,"itemEnableShadow":false,"itemShadowBlur":20,"itemShadowDirection":135,"itemShadowSize":10,"imageLoadingMode":"BLUR","expandAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","imageQuality":90,"usmToggle":false,"usm_a":0,"usm_r":0,"usm_t":0,"videoSound":false,"videoSpeed":"1","videoLoop":true,"jsonStyleParams":"","gallerySizeType":"px","gallerySizePx":1000,"allowTitle":true,"allowContextMenu":true,"textsHorizontalPadding":-30,"itemBorderColor":{"themeName":"color_12","value":"rgba(0,105,144,0)"},"showVideoPlayButton":true,"galleryLayout":2,"calculateTextBoxHeightMode":"MANUAL","targetItemSize":1000,"selectedLayout":"2|bottom|1|max|true|0|true","layoutsVersion":2,"selectedLayoutV2":2,"isSlideshowFont":true,"externalInfoHeight":60,"externalInfoWidth":0.75},"container":{"width":220,"galleryWidth":242,"galleryHeight":0,"scrollBase":0,"height":null}}
    Archive
    • December 2018 (1) 1 post
    • October 2018 (1) 1 post
    • May 2018 (1) 1 post
    • February 2018 (1) 1 post
    • January 2018 (1) 1 post
    • December 2017 (1) 1 post
    • November 2017 (1) 1 post
    • September 2017 (1) 1 post
    • August 2017 (1) 1 post
    • July 2017 (2) 2 posts
    • June 2017 (1) 1 post
    • May 2017 (3) 3 posts
    • April 2017 (3) 3 posts
    • March 2017 (4) 4 posts
    • February 2017 (6) 6 posts
    • January 2017 (1) 1 post
    • January 2016 (13) 13 posts
    Search By Tags
    • Anesthesia
    • baby care
    • birth
    • Breast Milk
    • Breastfeeding
    • cholestasis
    • Chorioamnionitis
    • Epidural
    • feeding
    • fitness
    • forgetfulness
    • gender
    • Gray Matter
    • Hemorrhoid
    • Hormones
    • Itching
    • Itching during pregnancy
    • labor & delivery
    • Meconium
    • Momnesia
    • Morning Sickness
    • multiples
    • Nutrition
    • Pain
    • Pelvic Floor
    • Placenta Accreta
    • postpartum
    • pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Brain
    • relief
    • Supplements
    • Twin Birth
    • twins
    • Vitamins
    • yoga
    Follow Us
    • Facebook Basic Square
    • Twitter Basic Square
    • Home

    • Read

    • Listen

    • Watch

    • Workshops

    • More

      • Grey Facebook Icon
      • Grey Twitter Icon
      • Grey YouTube Icon
      • Grey Instagram Icon