The Ultimate Hemorrhoid Thread

MynaBird

Yes, gross. But for as many as half of us, they're coming. Having suffered through hemorrhoids throughout and after my first pregnancy, I thought it would be helpful to collect in one place all our tips for avoiding, treating, and not being driven crazy by our pregnancy-related hemorrhoids. Here's what I've learned, either the right way or the hard way. I'm trying to avoid a repeat of last time, so I hope others will share their wisdom as well!

This What To Expect article provides a good overview of what a hemorrhoid is, why you may get them during pregnancy and how to avoid and treat them. And here's my own advice:

• Try not to let yourself get constipated. When you're constipated, you'll strain on the toilet, and that can cause hemorrhoids. So fiber, fluids, and when you feel the urge to go to the bathroom, don't wait -- get up and go.
• Drink water. Drink so much water. This was where I had a hard time last time, because my hyperemesis meant that even the idea of water made me want to puke. If you're super nauseated, try club soda or mint-infused water.
• Colace. If you do get constipated, take it.
• If you do get hemorrhoids, keep the area really clean. Like, cleaner than you think is necessary. Stuff hides in the little folds around them. Wet wipes and peri bottle are both good ideas. 
• I take a three-pronged approach to treatment: Preparation H wipes, suppositories, and cream. I like the cooling gel. I had bad luck with store brand products from both Walgreens and Target, so I only buy the name brand now. Be warned: The suppositories may leave a few drops of oily-looking residue on the surface of the toilet water when you go to the bathroom. The first time this happened, I freaked out until I figured out what it was.

That's my butt wisdom. Who else has valuable pooping knowledge to share?

BLM10

I have none to share but am reading it all! I got one during labor with #1 but already have two new ones with #2.

CourtJack

Witch hazel was something else that I swore by. I had HORRIBLE hemorrhoids last pregnancy. HORRIBLE. Anytime I had to go out in public and sit for any length of time, I had to freeze my a$$shole with a baggie of ice cubes while driving to wherever I was going just so I could tolerate sitting in one spot with any sort of comfort. I am drinking as much water as I can this time around (and fibre)

MynaBird

CourtJack said:

I am drinking as much water as I can this time around (and fibre)

Ditto. Morning sickness hasn't hit yet, so I'm pushing water and roughage while I can still stomach it. Not that you can really frontload regularity, but I figure the longer I can put off constipation, the better...

cjt121413

I think Miralax works better than Colace.

Also some exercise is helpful for avoiding constipation.

Finally, after DS, I was prescribed suppositories with cortisone or something. I doubt these are pregnancy safe but they work like magic.

GinnyJ2012

Another vote for witch hazel. I had hemorrhoid after DS1, so next time around I tried drinking more fluids. I still got them during my second pregnancy and after even without being constipated. Maybe third times a charm and I won't get them this time.

Linsbins

I like the Prep H wipes. I get them from stress regularly since I was in college. Once you learn how to deal, it's not that bad. I'm sure mine will be worse from pregnancy/birth, but it's definitely nothing to be afraid of.

peaceinnature

Saltwater sitz baths. This was something my midwife recommended last time for healing after birth, but I've found it works great for hemmroids. It can even just be plain water.

Fill the tub with a few inches of warm water (add a few shakes of sea salt or Epsom salt if you want). Sit for about ten minutes and then (this is the most important part!) spread a towel out on your bed and let yourself air dry after for a good 10-15 minutes. This helped so much with healing after birth and now I do it every time I get a hemmroid too. Luckily none so far this pregnancy (knock on wood!)

ETA: I had an episiotomy and anal fissures after DS's birth (fun tiiiimes) and this was pretty much the only treatment I used aside from Advil and stool softeners. I was just religious about my sitz baths and my midwife said everything healed amazingly well.

MynaBird

Also, store your wipes package upside down. That means the wipes closest to the top of the pack stay the wettest.

CocoaPuff818

@MynaBird thank you for starting this thread and sharing your knowledge. This is my first pregnancy and I already have constipation. I also have suffered from fissures in the past.  (

MynaBird

@CocoaPuff818 Believe me when I say I wish I had less knowledge to share on the subject! Happy the community can be of help... I'm learning some things from this thread, too!

sunnysmile25

I took senna every day my last pregnancy it helped and I never got one! It's otc generic name is natural vegetable laxative. I'm a nurse, as gross as it sounds, you can very carefully push the hemmroid back in.

MynaBird

Just wanted to say thanks to @CourtJack and @GinnyJ2012 for the witch hazel reminder. I noticed some inflammation over the weekend, and I found some witch hazel left over from my postpartum supplies. I've been mixing it with warm water in my peri bottle. Heaven.

HBamama2B

@MynaBird thank you so much for posting this thread. As a FTM, this is a big concern for me and a butt-load of info and experiences will help take the sting out of the process. Much appreciated!

BPaisley

I liked using Earth Mama bottom balm, I think it's called. It doesn't cure anything, just a cooling gel that helps mellow the area a little when it's feeling rough.

MynaBird

@HBamama2B Butt-load.

itsStackie

Just seeing this thread. I'm not sure if hemorrhoids are different for each person, but I advise against pushing them carefully back in. I've done so and have suffered a sleepless, painful night.

alsbaldwin

I got them after DS's birth, and have been have issues off and on ever since (he's 11.5 months old). I'm so scared things are going to get worse with pregnancy. The post-partum hemmies were more uncomfortable than my second degree tear. Thanks for the witch-hazel reminder- I'll have to dig that out!

Atlast111

Thanks to everyone for the tips! I had no idea my butt was in such danger....lol. At least I feel prepared now.

Emztron500

Squat to poop! A Squatty Potty or something similar is awesome, but my lazy solution is to just take the small garbage can in my bathroom and put it directly in front of my toilet and put my feet up on top of it (so that my knees are up higher close to my chest and my feet are at toilet-seat-level), and lean forward slightly. Then just relax and let it happen, no straining.

Emztron500

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbYWhdLO43Q

Atlast111

Emztron500 said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbYWhdLO43Q

I'm a bit scared to watch this video....lol.

HBamama2B

@Atlast111 I had the exact same thought.

Atlast111

HBamama2B said:

@Atlast111 I had the exact same thought.

Hahhaaahhhh....I'm hoping it's just a Squatting potty advert!

MynaBird

Emztron500 said:

Squat to poop! A Squatty Potty or something similar is awesome, but my lazy solution is to just take the small garbage can in my bathroom and put it directly in front of my toilet and put my feet up on top of it (so that my knees are up higher close to my chest and my feet are at toilet-seat-level), and lean forward slightly. Then just relax and let it happen, no straining.

After seeing that Squatty Potty video on some other site a few weeks ago, I actually started using a stepstool we keep in the bathroom so my daughter can stand on it to wash her hands!

Emztron500

Lol @HBamama2B @Atlast111 sorry I probably should've given a description...it's a video explaining why you should squat to poop featuring an animated unicorn pooping out rainbows, nothing too disgusting :P

Atlast111

MynaBird said:

Emztron500 said:

Squat to poop! A Squatty Potty or something similar is awesome, but my lazy solution is to just take the small garbage can in my bathroom and put it directly in front of my toilet and put my feet up on top of it (so that my knees are up higher close to my chest and my feet are at toilet-seat-level), and lean forward slightly. Then just relax and let it happen, no straining.

After seeing that Squatty Potty video on some other site a few weeks ago, I actually started using a stepstool we keep in the bathroom so my daughter can stand on it to wash her hands!

Yes, this technique is great. You can do a similar thing for babies if they are constipated. You lie them on their back and cycle their legs gently up and down. Bringing the legs upto the stomach gets the bowel moving!

HBamama2B

@Emztron500 oh no, way more entertaining to make us wonder!