Hemorrhoids in Pregnancy

Care For Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy in Portland, OR

Hemorrhoid Development During Pregnancy

“Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are the expansion of veins within soft tissue cushions in and around the rectum. During pregnancy, the pressure of the growing fetus leads to development of internal hemorrhoids while during childbirth, the extensive straining and pressure placed on the rectum can lead to the formation of external thrombotic hemorrhoids".

Symptoms Include: itching, burning, pain, and bleeding. Bleeding from a hemorrhoid is usually bright red, and more often seen on the toilet paper than in the bowl.

For pregnant women, the main culprit behind the formation of hemorrhoids is constipation. Straining while moving your bowels puts even more pressure on the already dilated veins.

Ways To Help Prevent Hemorrhoid Development:

Pregnant Woman Exercising at Home – Milwaukee, OR – The Oregon Hemorrhoid Clinic

Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day.

Eat a high fiber diet (Including leafy green vegetables, whole grains and legumes)

Limit constipating foods such as dairy, sugar, white bread, and white rice.

Exercise regularly to increase blood circulation

Kegel exercises are beneficial because they will increase circulation to your rectum, which in turn will help to prevent hemorrhoids.

Avoid sitting and standing for long periods of time, which can put pressure on the hemorrhoids.

Lubricating the anus before a bowel movement can ease in passage, reducing resistance

Use a sitz bath: Sit in enough warm water to cover the hemorrhoids, either in your bathtub or in a sitz bath that fits on the toilet. Adding Epsom salts can help relax and soothe tissue.

What We Use For The Treatment of Internal Hemorrhoids:

Keesey Technique: A type of electrotherapy treatment for internal hemorrhoids. A negative galvanic electrical current is sent to the hemorrhoidal tissue of the rectum, causing painless electrochemical destruction of the hemorrhoidal tissue.

Keesey can be used safely and effectively during an entire pregnancy all the way up to delivery. Treatment of internal hemorrhoids during pregnancy reduces the risk of the formation of external thrombotic hemorrhoids during delivery by increasing space and reducing pressure within the rectal canal.