Bottom’s…up?

There are so many changes to a woman’s body during pregnancy and birth, it stands to reason your bottom may have some changes too! But no one likes to talk about their behind! Haemorrhoids can be one of the biggest banes of pregnancy and postpartum life. Embarrassing to mention (let’s be honest, who likes saying “anus”?) and uncomfortable to live with, they are an unfortunate side effect of all the pressure down. Here are some tips to make them easier to bare:

1. Don’t strain: everything slows down during pregnancy, including your bowels. If you are feeling constipated, you can try natural remedies such as prune juice, or talk to your care provider about stool softeners. Whatever you do, try not to strain or push forcefully when you have a bowel movement. This can increase pressure and make the hemerroids worse.

2. Break out the baby wipes: baby wipes can feel better for wiping than toilet paper. They also make sure that the tissue around the haemorrhoids is completely clean, helping to keep them from growing.

3. Over the counter aids: Tucks pads and Preperation-H can help, and both are safe in pregnancy. For a more DIY solution, you can use witch hazel on a cloth.

After the birth of your baby, you may find you have new or worsening haemorrhoids. Witch hazel, over the counter creams, and warm sitz baths can help with this. If they don’t begin to resolve on their own, and are very uncomfortable, after a few weeks, it can be worth mentioning to your family physician to look into further treatment.

Cropped image courtesy of Bradley Gordon.