Piles, also known as hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels that appear in and around the rectum and the anus. When aggravated they hang out from the rectum and you can feel them while passing stools. Piles are not necessarily a pregnancy discomfort, but when pregnant, hormones can make your veins relax, and thus piles can occur.
What Are The Symptoms Of Piles?
Piles generally itch and feel sore, making you feel some lumpiness around your anus. Some easy ways to detect piles are:
- Occurrence of blood while passing stools
- Occurrence of mucus while passing stools
- Itching and inflammation around the anus
- Pain and discomfort while passing stool
- Sensation – that you need to pass stool again immediately after you have done so
Piles generally resolve after 6 weeks of giving birth, as hormones relax and your body begins to revert itself.
Why Causes Piles During Pregnancy?
Piles are very common during pregnancy. Some women get piles after delivery. But, most women get piles in their third trimester. During pregnancy the blood flow in the body increases. Simultaneously, the body releases copious amount of hormone called progesterone that relaxes the walls of the blood vessel. During the 25th week of pregnancy the uterus grows tremendously exerting pressure of the relaxed walls of the blood vessel causing piles.
How Can I Prevent Piles During Pregnancy?
Below are some tips that will help you keep hemorrhoids at bay.
- Keep your body hydrated: Include a lot of fluids in your diet like fresh fruit and vegetable juices. Also, drink minimum 8-9 glasses of water every day
- A diet with fiber: Your diet should include fibrous fruits and vegetables. Fiber helps with constipation and even ensures a healthy digestive system
- Keep fit!: Regular exercise has several benefits one of them is ensuring regular bowl movement. You do not have to exert yourself with strenuous exercise. A few simple yoga poses with brisk walking will keep you healthy and safe from hemorrhoids
How Can I Ease Piles During Pregnancy?
If you already have piles, here are 10 tips that will help to ease your pain:
- Keep constipation at bay: Constipation is a major pregnancy discomfort. Try to be regular with stools and include a lot of fiber in your diet. Take necessary steps to keep your stools soft and regular
- Make water your best friend: Drinking water can be both a preventative measure and a solution. Piles usually are accompanied with constipation. Drinking plenty of water will help you to pass your stool smoothly and ease your pain tremendously
- Cold compress to relieve the pain: You can douse a fresh and clean washcloth is cold water, wrung it out and the dab the washcloth to the affected area. Invest in a couple of ice packs as well. This will help to relieve you of the pain and inflammation
- Stay Clean: Cleaning the infected area during piles can be a little painful but make sure you clean it to reduce the chance of infection. Use moist cloth or unscented wipes to clean the area. Also make sure you are gentle and not rubbing the infected area rigorously
- Push it back: Use over the counter cream or lubricated gel to gently push back the piles. Don’t attempt this if it is too painful though
- Keep busy: Sitting in one position for a long time increases the pain. Hence stand and walk around as much as possible. Also, while sleeping, make sure you are not sleeping on your back but your side. Sleeping on the back will put more pressure on the infected area
- Healthy diet: A rich and fibrous diet will ensure that your bowl movements are regular and keep constipation at bay. Make sure your diet includes whole meal bread and fibrous fruits and vegetables
- Don’t force yourself: If you have trouble passing stools and experience constipation don’t force yourself. Forcing your body to excrete will only aggravate the case. Go to the loo as soon as you feel even a little bit of pressure
- Kegel and Pelvic floor exercises: Simple Kegel and pelvic floor exercises will ensure effective blood circulation and keep several diseases including hemorrhoids at bay
- Take aid: If the pain is unbearable don’t hesitate to consult a doctor. The doctor may recommend lotions and medicines to ease the pain or may even recommend a minor surgery according to your case and situation
After you deliver the baby use a bidet or a bowl of warm water and wash the area. Make sure you gently wipe the area with a clean wash cloth or paper towel. This process will help you tremendously with regards to piles.
Pregnancy is a difficult time for your body. Your body is undergoing several changes rapidly and it takes some time for it to catch up with what’s going on. It is a given that you might have to face some ups and downs in the health department during your pregnancy. Stay positive, take good care of yourself and you will be fine.
Click here to read about Hemorrhoids during pregnancy.
