Hemorrhoids are an irritating, painful condition that is very common during pregnancy. They describe a condition in which the three primary blood vessels that surround the rectum swell and protrude through the anus. These varicose veins can be either inside the skin (internal), or under the skin (external).
Hemorrhoids appear to be hereditary, but are more common during pregnancy. The hormoneA complex chemical substance created in a part or organ of the body. When released it initiates or regulates activity in an organ or group of cells in another part of the body.
Hormones secreted by endocrine glands are transported through the bloodstream to their target organ. The amount of hormone secreted is regulated either by other hormones, by neurotransmitters, or simply when an excess of the organ's activity indicates a need to reduce the amount of the hormone produced.
Other hormones are produced locally by the organs themselves and are common in the digestive tract.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions., progesteroneOne of the two naturally occuring female hormones (the other is estrogen) used to regulate and maintain the pregnancy. Produced first by the corpus luteum in the ovary, production is subsequently taken over by the placenta as it develops. During pregnancy a mother's production of progesterone ten times the level it was prior to conception. Progesterone and estrogen are responsible for giving many mothers a sense of tranquility, shiny hair and glowing skin.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions., slows blood circulation, permitting more blood to reach the uterus, and reduces the rate of digestion to allow more nutrients to be extracted from food. As a result, more water is removed from the feces leaving you constipated.
Hemorrhoids form when you strain while passing stools. If you have internal hemorrhoids, you will find bright red blood on the toilet paper, stools and in the toilet bowl, caused by the continuous circulation of blood through the vein. An external hemorrhoid can be felt as a hard, swollen lump around the rectum, which has bled, then clotted. This blood clot is sometimes called a thrombosed external hemorrhoid.
Hemorrhoids may occur during the first trimester due to the hormonal changes taking place in your body causing constipation. But if you are unfortunate enough to suffer from hemorrhoids they are most likely to begin during trimester two.
As the pregnancy progresses, the expanding uterus puts pressure on the veins returning blood to the heart. The blood pools in the pelvic area, causing the veins to dilate and aggravating the condition.
If you already have hemorrhoids, delivery will make them worse. But many women go through their entire pregnancy without hemorrhoids, only to find them developing while they are in labor. The action of pushing during labor is similar to that used when straining on the toilet, and will aggravate any dilated veins in the dilated area. The good news is that they will improve after the delivery of the baby, and with the attention of your doctor will soon disappear.
If you are worried about developing hemorrhoids during pregnancy, there are a few things you can do to reduce your chances of getting this condition. The most important thing you can do is to avoid getting constipated. Eat plenty of fiber and drink lots of fluid.
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When you go to the toilet, avoid straining to pass a stool. Some doctors recommend a procedure called gastro-colic reflex to train the body to defecate at the same time each day. They suggest sitting on the toilet for about ten minutes after each meal to stimulate the bowels from eating. If you try this, remember that you should not ignore your body's urge for a bowel movement.
Standing or sitting on one place for a long time may aggravate the development of hemorrhoids. Try to shift positions frequently, and practice your Kegel exercises. Ask your husband to lift heavy weights for you, so that you don't increase intra-abdominal pressure and back pressure in the rectal veins. Make sure that you treat coughs promptly for the same reason.
If you suffer from hemorrhoids you can get some relief by sitting in a sitz bath for about ten minutes. Fill a tub or a bath with enough warm water, and a little baking soda, to cover your buttocks. Relief can also be found by applying a lint pad soaked in witch hazel to the affected area. Sitting on a cold pack, also for about ten minutes, can help reduce swelling. Some women find aromatherapy can be very effective.
Talk to your doctor about placing some topical anestheticAn agent or process that removes the body's sensitivity to pain. Anesthetics are usually medically administered chemicals, although they include other forms such as hypnosis, or the body's own ability to cause numbness through shock.
Anesthetics can either be local, whereby only a portion of the body or an individual organ is desensitized or general, in which the entire body is desensitized, with the result the patient is often temporarily unconcious.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. on your fingers and pushing the veins back into the rectum when you are sitting on the toilet. Your doctor may also provide a prescription for a relieving cream that is safe for use during pregnancy or stool softeners to prevent constipation, although they need a high fluid intake to work effectively.
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