Best treatments for Hemorrhoids postpartum

What are Hemorrhoids?

They are enlarged blood vessels in the rectum, they become inflamed and bulge out, causing pain and discomfort.

Causes

• Not drinking enough water.
• Following a low-fiber diet.
• Chronic constipation.
• Excessive weight gain.
• Pressure on the pelvis by the growing pregnant belly.
• Hormonal changes during pregnancy.
• Pushing the baby during delivery for a long time.

Prevention during pregnancy

• Drinking enough water.
• Exercising.
• Avoiding constipation.
• Doing Kegels.

Symptoms

• Pain in the rectum especially while pooping.
• Blood in stool.
• A painful bulge in the anus.

Best treatments for Hemorrhoids postpartum

Pushing them back in

This is what the OBGYN or Midwife does right after delivery, where they manually push the hemorrhoids back inside.

Following a high-fiber diet

Fibers are great for your health, and they also reduce the discomfort caused by hemorrhoids. As they soften stool and prevent constipation.

Laxatives

Doctors usually prescribe laxatives that are safe during breastfeeding for women postpartum to prevent constipation and relief pain and discomfort.

Ointments and suppositories

Medical ointments and suppositories relieve the pain quickly and sometimes immediately, as they help shrink the enlarged blood vessels.

Sitz baths

Alternating between hot and cold sitz baths helps shrink the size of the hemorrhoids significantly. Sitz baths also provide excellent relief after episiotomies.

Surgery

In some severe cases, when all the above methods fail, surgery is done to remove the hemorrhoids.

Breastfeeding

A new mom sits for a long time in the early days after delivery to breastfeed the baby, who needs time to latch properly. This prolonged sitting worsens the pain. Therefore, we recommend that new moms pick a side breastfeeding position, sit on the donut, or wrap a towel in a form of a ring and sit in it, to prevent pressure on the rectum while sitting.

 

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