Having a young of your own is the greatest gift of pregnancy and it is really what pregnancy is all about. But alongside the having a baby are the common or normal occurrences, such as constipation, flatulence, and hemorrhoids, which could be very irritating and painful to the soon-to-be mother.
Hemorrhoids are considered to be of greatest devastating effect to the pregnant woman, not only because it is painful and bleeding, but also of its annoying protrusion on the anus. Pregnancy and hemorrhoids are related because during such stage, the growing fetus puts pressure on the great vein called inferior vena cava. The inferior vena cava is the one responsible for bring back the blood from the lower extremities to the heart. As the inferior vena cava is being pressed down, the blood return slows down too, which now results to pooling of blood into the areas below the uterus, and dilation or swelling of the vessels. This now leads to hemorrhoids.
Another probable cause of hemorrhoids during pregnancy is constipation. Some pregnant women would actually say that they consume high fiber diet to prevent constipation but still experience it. The reason behind it is that during pregnancy, especially the first and second trimesters, a hormone named progesterone is elevation, which causes the constipation. When the pregnant woman is constipated, she tends to exert extra effort to evacuate her feces by straining. Straining now produces pressure on the pelvic veins, leading to dilation and swelling, leading to hemorrhoids.
Progesterone’s role on hemorrhoids does not end there. This hormone also causes relaxation of the walls of the veins, including pelvic veins, which makes the veins more susceptible to swelling, and eventually leading to hemorrhoids.
How then should hemorrhoids be prevented? First, constipation should be eliminated. The presence of the hormone progesterone is inevitable as it is a hormone of pregnancy but other ways to prevent constipation are suggested. The pregnant woman should have not just a high fiber diet but also increased oral fluid intake. Brisk walking is also suggested as it leads to faster intestinal motility. If indicated, stool softeners and fiber supplements are also recommended.
What then should a pregnant woman, who already have hemorrhoids, do? It is suggested that the pregnant woman have an alternate cold and warm compresses. This is done by applying an ice pack to the area for ten to fifteen minutes then soaking the bottom on a warm tub or sitz bath for ten to fifteen minutes also. Using a cloth that is moistened when cleaning the rectal area after a bowel movement is also beneficial and comfortable to the pregnant woman.
Pregnant women who have hemorrhoids should call their physician immediately when severe pain occurs or when the bleeding suddenly becomes massive. This could be indicative of a rupture which could be life-threatening.
Pregnancy and hemorrhoids do make things more difficult. Although many pregnant women actually feel so much pain not just due to hemorrhoids during such a critical stage, the woman still endures. That is the essence of being a woman.
Share this:
