Hemorrhoid Relief during Pregnancy and Postpartum

And what the pregnancy books don't tell you:

1. They are very common

2. For some, their hemorrhoids can be more painful than a perineal laceration.

3. Some hemorrhoids will persist for a LONG time postpartum. Giving birth is not always the cure!

4. Medication is also not always the only cure.

5. Healing your pelvic floor, optimizing your daily body mechanics, and avoiding constipation all help with healing. 

(Ps. How much do you love the plum visual?!)

Hemorrhoids in Pregnancy Basics

Hemorrhoids are incredibly common affecting up to 85% of people in third trimester! Increased blood volume and descent of the fetal head (or less commonly, the fetal bottom) put pressure on delicate tissue…and it’s the perfect storm! What the baby books won’t tell you is that  hemorrhoids can be debilitating. I have had patients in tears from them, unable to sit, walk, or complete daily activities. For some, their hemorrhoids took longer to heal than their perineal laceration! Medication can certainly help, but it’s more like a bandaid. Here is a more root-cause approach to healing: 

🍓 “Swell Salve” by Fat and the Moon is a beautiful herbal preparation with horse chestnut, yarrow, and calendula. I used this salve myself.  @fatandthemoon 

🍓 from the pharmacy: Tuck’s (kept in fridge) or OTC Preparation H. rx for Anusol if needed

🍓Avoid bearing down with bowel movements. Bring knees up with bowel movement using toddler stool or a Squatty Potty

🍓If needing to lift anything, exhale first/engage core and use legs as much as possible. Try to avoid heavy lifting while the hemorrhoids are swollen. 

🍓hemorrhoids can be linked with suboptimal pelvic floor functioning, consider seeing a pelvic floor PT during pregnancy and then again postpartum.

🍓 to avoid constipation consider:

 🚽 magnesium citrate 400mg nightly

 🚽 briefly pause your prenatal that contain iron and replace with gummy like Garden of Life prenatal (unless you are anemic) as some iron can cause constipation. That’s why I love formulas like Perelel which have gentle iron. 

 🚽Aim for a minimum of 100oz water daily and try move your body every day. Gentle twisting, like yoga, can help promote movement in your bowels.

 🚽 Consider adding to your diet: chia,apples, pears, prunes, dates, and figs. 

 🚽Try to minimize all the delicious “binding” foods like white flour, white rice, and cheddar cheese.

 🚽You can also consider stool softener or fiber supplementation.

What helped you?

Not medical advice, simply info.