Although it’s late, have a happy Mother’s day to you, your mothers, grandmothers and every woman you know that reared a child and supported a family. Even if women are popularly depicted as fragile beings, they go through a lot of obstacles that are harder than what most men go through. Having said that, one of the hardest things they go through is pregnancy. Carrying a baby in your belly for nine months is not a laughing matter – there are a lot of things a woman has to give up and must observe. Where do hemorrhoids come into the picture? Well, here are some things you need to learn about:
Pregnancy comes with hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are more common to men than it is to women, but still, women who had been pregnant experienced this horrible complication. This could also occur during post pregnancy. There are only a few things that are harder than carrying a baby and experiencing hemorrhoids at the same time, right?
To refresh your mind, hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the anal and rectal areas. The swelling is caused by increased pressure on the anus and rectum, which could be caused by the following:
- Obesity – extra weight and fat on the abdomen may increase the burden on the rectum, thus paving the way for hemorrhoid growth. Aside from which, obese people are likely to eat an unhealthy diet.
- Constipation – hardened stools cause you to strain on the toilet. Straining, in turn, increases pressure on the rectal and anal walls, paving the way for hemorrhoid growth.
- Old age – as you get older, the walls of your rectum get weaker and weaker. This is one of the main reasons why old people are commonly afflicted with hemorrhoids.
- What about pregnancy? Well, being pregnant means carrying a few pounds of extra weight on your belly. Like obesity, this increases pressure on the waistline and ultimately, on the anal and rectal areas. After pregnancy, the problem isn’t over yet – the swelling still won’t subside unless if necessary measures are undertaken to get rid of them.
Although hemorrhoids are not really dangerous, they can pose severe health problems, especially if left untreated, especially during pregnancy. This is the reason why hemorrhoid treatment is an absolute must. Internal hemorrhoids (those that grow in the rectum) have a tendency to bleed – profusely at that. They are even capable of causing anemia, which is never good for both the pregnant woman and the baby. Treating it is an absolute must. Luckily, the procedures are quite simple, but be sure to follow your doctor’s advice above all else!
1. Sitz baths. Use a sitz chair and not the bathtub method. Basically, sitz baths are mainly for cleaning the genital areas – but they can also be used to relieve hemorrhoids as well. Simply fill the sitz chair with warm water and sit on it for at least 10 minutes. It will improve blood circulation. Add herb extracts with astringent properties like witch hazel and aloe vera to reduce the swelling.
2. Fiber rich diet. It is highly important to eat right during pregnancy. Let go of the fatty and unhealthy food and fully embrace lean meat and fiber rich food, like leafy vegetables and whole wheat bread. Also remember to increase your fluid intake as well. Not only will it do wonders to your health, but it will also help out the baby.
3. Ointments and creams. Unless if you’re allergic, witch hazel and aloe vera creams are capable of reducing the swelling and relieving the symptoms, like pain and itch.
Remember to keep the above mentioned facts and tips in mind, especially if someone close to you is pregnant! Have a hemorrhoid-free Mother’s Day!
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