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June 2016 Moms
MynaBird
member
The Ultimate Hemorrhoid Thread
MynaBird
member
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?
Re: The Ultimate Hemorrhoid Thread
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...
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.
Me: 33 H: 36
Married: 12/14/13 DS: 1/29/09
BFP2: 10/9/15 MMC: 11/12/15
BFP3: 4/6/16 DD: 12/12/16
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.
Me:: 32 DH: 37
TTC since 2008
8+ IUI's
IVF June 2013 fresh 2 grade 1 embryos-BFN
IVF frozen transfer Aug 16 2013- 3 embryos=SUCCESS!!!
DS2 5-18-2014
DD1 EDD 6-21-2016
BFP #4: 8/20/15 EDD: 4/26/18
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!
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!