Dealing with hemorrhoids during pregnancy

Hemorrhoids are a common occurrence during pregnancy.  A hemorrhoid is a varicose, or swollen, vein of the rectum.  They are typically painful, and may burn or itch.  They most often appear during the third trimester.

There are some things you can do to avoid or minimize hemorrhoids during pregnancy:

-  Eat a high fiber diet
-  Drink plenty of fluids
-  Drink prune juice
-  Do not delay going to the bathroom
-  Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
-  Do kegel exercises daily to increase circulation in the rectal area

Most of these steps will help deal with constipation, one of the main causes of hemorrhoids during pregnancy.

Should you experience hemorrhoids during pregnancy, you can use a number of treatments to relieve them:

-  Take a sitz bath
-  Place baking soda (wet or dry) in the area to remove the itch
-  Use witch hazel or lemon juice to reduce swelling or bleeding
-  Use Witch Hazel pads, such as tucks
-  Use soft, unscented white toilet tissue

Each pregnancy, expectant mother, and unborn child is different. Your pregnancy may not progress the same as the information found here. The information here is based on the average pregnancy. It's not meant to be a replacement for any advice your may receive from your doctor. If you have any concerns about your pregnancy, we advise you to contact your doctor.

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