Hemorrhoids are one of the most common complaints experienced by pregnant women. If you experience hemorrhoids during pregnancy, there are some simple ways you can do to relieve this condition.
Hemorrhoids or hemorrhoids are conditions when the blood vessels in the area around the anus swell. Hemorrhoids can cause discomfort around the anus, ranging from itching, burning, to severe pain.
Causes of Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, high levels of progesterone tend to make blood vessels swell easily. In addition, the increasing size of the uterus can put pressure on the veins in the pelvis. This pressure will block the flow of blood from the anus and make blood stuck in the area.
If this happens, the veins in the anus can swell to protrude outside the anus. These lumps are called hemorrhoids, hemorrhoids, or hemorrhoids. Another symptom that is often complained of by hemorrhoid sufferers is fresh red blood that drips during bowel movements or bloody stools.
How to Relieve Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
Having hemorrhoids during pregnancy can be very annoying and uncomfortable. To relieve it, you can do the following simple treatments:
1. Soak in warm water or sitz bath
sitz bath is a warm water therapy that is useful for reducing itching, irritation, and relaxing the pelvic muscles of hemorrhoid sufferers. you can do sitz bath by soaking your buttocks in a basin of warm water placed on the toilet seat.
Make sure the water has sufficient depth so that it can soak the anal area and your intimate organs. For optimal results, sitz bath can be done 3 times a day for 20-30 minutes per session.
2. Improve your bowel habits
Two things about bowel movements that you should pay attention to if you have hemorrhoids are to avoid straining and keep your anus clean. Straining can make hemorrhoids worse. If you have difficulty defecating, you can try to raise the position of your feet by standing on a short stool. This position can also make it easier to defecate without straining.
You should also pay attention to the cleanliness of the anus. If there are hemorrhoids that are protruding outward, it is recommended to clean the anus with running water slowly. After that, don't forget to dry it by gently patting a clean washcloth on the anal area.
3. Avoid sitting too long
When you have hemorrhoids, avoid sitting too long. This position will put excessive pressure on the blood vessels around the anus and worsen hemorrhoids. If you have to sit for a long time, you can use a hemorrhoidal pillow, which is a ring-shaped seat cushion, so that hemorrhoids are not compressed.
4. Apply a healthy lifestyle
To help relieve hemorrhoids, you should also avoid constipation. The trick is to eat fibrous foods so that the stools or stools are soft, and drink enough water. Besides being able to help facilitate bowel movements and prevent constipation or constipation, this method can also relieve hemorrhoids during pregnancy.
5. Use medicine according to doctor's instructions
If hemorrhoids do not improve, immediately consult a gynecologist. If necessary, ask for medication to relieve pain and swelling. For cases of hemorrhoids in pregnant women, doctors will usually prescribe pain relievers in the form of creams or ointments that are applied to the anal area.
Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy Can Continue until After Childbirth
In pregnant women, the risk of hemorrhoids is highest in the third trimester, because of the increasing pressure from the uterus. Hemorrhoids are also often triggered by the process of pushing during normal delivery. Strong pressure while straining can cause hemorrhoids to appear or make existing hemorrhoids enlarge.
Hemorrhoids during pregnancy require proper treatment. Although it can heal on its own after you give birth, this condition can reappear when you are pregnant again later. So, you should consult with a gynecologist to get treatment or prevention so that hemorrhoids do not return.
