Pregnancy Signs & Symptoms, Week by Week Pregnancy Guide

Hemorrhoids or piles during pregnancy are a common complaint – many women develop piles or hemorrhoids for the first time during pregnancy; a condition that causes swollen or inflamed veins in the anal area. There could be many reasons for this –

• Increased circulation of blood and dilation of blood vessels could be one reason why many women experience piles during pregnancy.
• The pressure on the anal area increases with the weight of the baby and uterus and the veins below may suffer as a result.
• Constipation, another common complaint during pregnancy may add to the problem of piles during pregnancy.
• Women who spend long periods of time sitting and standing also have increased chances of the veins protruding.

The Net Doctor website offers information and solutions for piles during pregnancy. Though there is no risk to the baby due to piles, there could be bleeding from the area during delivery. Also the doctor may be required to perform an episiotomy to minimize risk of tears in and around the perineum. If a cesarean section is required to be performed then there will be no damage to the piles.

The considered expert view here is that piles can be soothed or kept under control by various home remedies; however the problem will not completely abate until after the delivery. It may cease to present a problem within just weeks of the baby’s arrival.

Here are some easy home remedies suggested for piles during pregnancy –

• Diet changes can help keep the bowel movements soft and easy, causing less pain and trouble if one has piles during pregnancy. It is important to have plenty of fiber in the diet in the form of whole grain, fresh fruit, vegetables and so on.
• Spicy foods can exacerbate the condition of piles and should be avoided as far as possible.
• Take regular exercise – this helps blood circulation and also helps keep the bowel movement regular.
• Regular and sufficient intake of water is also an important measure for keeping piles under control.
• Vaseline which may commonly be found in any home is found to be soothing for piles during pregnancy.
• Additionally, doctors could prescribe certain rectal creams and ointments to be applied topically and in some cases suppositories may be prescribed to be inserted to deal with the piles. Usually formulations that contain Bismuth oxide, balsam peru and zinc oxide, which could have astringent or antiseptic properties or which could help regenerate cell growth can help piles during pregnancy.