Postpartum Hemorrhoids: Symptoms & How To Find Relief

When you’re pregnant, hemorrhoids (also known as piles) can occur because your hormones make your veins relax, causing swollen blood vessels in or around your anus. Constipation plays a starring role in their appearance, so if you want to avoid or ease them, it’s essential to prevent or manage constipation. On the other end of the spectrum, they can also be aggravated by diarrhea.

Now, how do you know if you have them? Trust me, you’ll know. Symptoms of hemorrhoids can include itching, aching, soreness or swelling around your anus, pain when you’re passing your stool, and a mucus discharge afterwards.

What can you do? The top tip I have is to soak the area by sitting in a Sitz bath or place a warm or cold compress to the area. You can also apply a chemical-free, 100% all natural moisturizer that will help with the itching of the hemorrhoids. But make sure that it is chemical free so it’s not disrupting your hormones. This area of the body absorbs a lot more quicker than other areas of your skin and you want it to be chemical-free and not affect your hormones at the sensitive time.

When should you contact your midwife or doctor? If you’re experiencing bleeding, itching, or pain around your anus and you’re unsure if you have the hemorrhoids. The bleeding may be heavier than a little bit of blood when you wipe your anus, in which you should then contact your doctor. Also, maybe your stool appears black or tarry, and you’re not on iron tablets because iron tablets can also blacken your stool. Again, if your symptoms are severe and you haven’t eased any of your symptoms despite treatment management, contact your doctor.