Coping with hemorrhoids after pregnancy

Pregnant women have the most hemorrhoids in the last 3 months of pregnancy and hemorrhoids after 1 month of pregnancy. A study of 280 women found that 43% of women had hemorrhoids after giving birth. Many of these also experience related conditions, such as constipation during pregnancy and pushing for more than 20 minutes during delivery. This condition is especially common after vaginal delivery.
Hemorrhoids are caused by the veins in the rectum or anus being subjected to excessive pressure. Veins inherently have valves to help blood flow back to the heart, but when these valves are weakened, blood can pool in the veins and cause swelling, similar to how varicose veins form.
Pregnant women have to bear the extra weight of the baby, which increases the pressure on the abdomen and pelvis, making it difficult for blood from this area to flow back to the heart as it should.
Many pregnant women also experience constipation, or have bowel movements less than 3 times a week, possibly for reasons such as:
Hormonal changes affecting the digestive system Changes in diet during pregnancy Less mobility Too much iron due to taking supplements The growing fetus presses on the mother's intestines and affects digestion. Constipation is also common after delivery, the common cause of which can be a combination of hormone changes, pain medication, dehydration, and fear of pain from hemorrhoids or an episiotomy that prevents bowel movements. pepper.
Hemorrhoids can become more severe when the pelvic area is stretched, combined with constipation. If a pregnant woman has hemorrhoids, then giving birth, the hemorrhoids will be worse.

Hemorrhoids can form inside the rectum (internal hemorrhoids) or they can be outside, located around the anal opening (external hemorrhoids). Symptoms after childbirth with hemorrhoids include:
Pain in the anal area Itching in the anal area Bleeding during bowel movements Painful lumps near the anus. Sometimes, hemorrhoids form a painful blood clot. These are called thrombosed hemorrhoids, and although not dangerous, can be extremely painful. Your doctor can treat this type of hemorrhoid with a minimally invasive procedure in the office. Also, some hemorrhoids become chronic, last several months or more and need to be treated by a doctor.

There are several ways to help ease discomfort for women with hemorrhoids after pregnancy, including:
Eat more fiber Try to soften your stools by eating foods that are high in fiber. High-fiber foods include vegetables like broccoli and green beans; fruits such as pears and apples; legumes such as lentils and black beans; as well as whole grain breads and cereals.
Drink plenty of water If you are breastfeeding, you need to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Drink 1 cup of water each time you feed your baby.
Stool softeners Ask your doctor about using a stool softener to relieve pain during bowel movements. Stool softeners, which make it easier for stool to pass through the intestines and anus, are generally considered safe to use during and after pregnancy.
Do not sit for too long Sitting for long periods of time increases pressure on the veins in the anus. So lie down as much as possible, such as while breastfeeding. If you must sit, use a soft or foam pillow to prop your buttocks.
Limit pressure exerting too much when having a bowel movement will put pressure on the rectal area. To give yourself time to heal, be careful not to push or bend over when sitting on the toilet.
Do some exercise Try to move around more, even if a short walk helps. Exercise can also help prevent constipation, but don't forget to consult your doctor before you start exercising after giving birth.

Cold therapy A study of 200 postpartum women found that cold gels were effective in reducing pain during recovery and increasing comfort. You can apply the ice pack for 20-30 minutes, several times per day. Don't forget to wrap the ice pack in a cloth so that the ice doesn't come into direct contact with your skin.
Witch hazel The extract of witch hazel can help reduce swelling and soothe the skin. You can store witch hazel in the refrigerator, apply it directly to the painful area with a cotton ball, or add some witch hazel while soaking in the bath.
Soak in warm water Soaking in a warm (not hot) bath or just soaking your anus for about 15 minutes, several times a day will help your hemorrhoids shrink.
Maintain good hygiene Keeping the anal area clean helps prevent the risk of irritation that interferes with the healing process. You need to wash the area with warm water. Using damp wipes is gentler than dry toilet paper. Choose fragrance-free to avoid irritation.
Most cases of postpartum hemorrhoids will improve after a few days or weeks of applying the above measures, depending on the size, location and severity. If not, contact your doctor for an in-depth examination and treatment.
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Reference source: healthline.com