Severe hemorrhoids during pregnancy do you need surgery or should you wait for delivery?

The article is expertly consulted by Master, Doctor Le Nhat Nguyen - Obstetrician-Gynecology Specialist - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.

Having hemorrhoids during pregnancy is quite common, but most of them are mild and go away on their own after giving birth. However, there are some cases where women will experience severe hemorrhoids during pregnancy, when surgical intervention may be needed. At this time, the time of hemorrhoid surgery is a matter of great attention.

For pregnant women who have had hemorrhoids in the first pregnancy, when giving birth, especially in the case of vaginal birth, forcing the mother to push hard, using strong force to push the baby out can cause hemorrhoids. heavy in the second pregnancy, because the muscles have not yet recovered. Depending on the degree of swelling and location of the hemorrhoid - it can be the size of a pea or it can be the size of a grape, it can be inside (internal hemorrhoids) or outside (external hemorrhoids) - hemorrhoids will itch, pain and discomfort for pregnant women. In severe cases, hemorrhoids also cause rectal bleeding, during or after defecation.

Obstetricians and gynecologists recommend that the treatment of hemorrhoids for pregnant women should be with drugs and anal placement, and should not use surgical interventions. If the disease progresses seriously, it is imperative to use those measures, then wait until the birth is over. Specifically, if you have severe hemorrhoids during pregnancy, especially if the hemorrhoids are too big, cause a lot of pain and make you unable to defecate, you need hemorrhoid surgery. In case of hemorrhoids with complications, it is imperative to intervene promptly, depending on each specific case, there will be appropriate treatment measures.
However, the time to have surgery is at least 6 weeks after giving birth, because this is when the muscle tissue in the anus returns to normal. Specialist doctors will examine and evaluate the extent of hemorrhoids and recommend appropriate treatment for the patient.

For pregnant women with mild hemorrhoids, it is possible to apply temporary pain and itching relief methods such as:
Soak the anal and rectal area in warm water for 10-15 minutes, can soak a few times during the day. This will make pregnant women feel comfortable, while stimulating blood circulation, reducing pain. Pregnant women can also use ice packs on the hemorrhoids to reduce swelling to relieve pain and itching. In addition, one of the ways to treat hemorrhoids for pregnant women is to keep the anal area clean after each cleaning to avoid the risk of infection for hemorrhoids. Use a clean, soft cloth or soft, odorless and colorless toilet paper to avoid the risk of anal injury. For cases of severe hemorrhoids during pregnancy or the disease becomes more serious, it is necessary to see a doctor soon for timely treatment. Absolutely do not arbitrarily buy or use oral medications, hemorrhoid creams during pregnancy because they can make the disease worse or cause side effects.

To prevent hemorrhoids during pregnancy, pregnant women should increase the addition of high-fiber foods to each meal to avoid constipation. High-fiber foods like whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. Pregnant women should not eat a lot of salt and sugar, do not use foods and drinks with stimulants. Keep psychological comfort because if you are often stressed, you will easily get colitis. Avoiding constipation and colitis are two things to do to prevent hemorrhoids during pregnancy. Drink lots of water every day. Build and maintain a habit of movement and gentle exercise on a regular and regular basis to promote blood circulation as well as increase the flexibility of the intimate muscles. This also makes labor easier and helps shrink the vulva after birth. Avoid straining when going to the toilet and do not sit for too long to reduce pressure on the anus. You should make it a habit to have regular bowel movements at a certain time of the day. If your job requires you to sit a lot, you should avoid sitting for too long, instead, you should get up and walk around after about 30 minutes of work to reduce pressure on the anus. When lying down, you should lie on one side, preferably on the left side, avoid lying on your back or stomach, which will help reduce blood stasis in the pelvis and anus. Besides morning sickness, changes in pregnancy, having hemorrhoids during pregnancy causes many discomforts for pregnant women. If the disease is too severe to require surgery, it should wait until after birth.
To avoid affecting the health of mother and fetus, women who want to have children should completely treat hemorrhoids before becoming pregnant. To do so, it is necessary to screen to detect the earliest signs of hemorrhoids.

Doctor Le Nhat Nguyen has more than 20 years of experience in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Formerly a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology at Gia Dinh People's Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. BS has high expertise and strength in the diagnosis and treatment of Obstetrics and Gynecology diseases. Currently a Doctor of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital.