Hey hey! It’s everyone’s favorite topic—hemorrhoids during pregnancy! Yeah, right. Just another one of those wonderful pregnancy side effects we can all look forward to. The good news is that, in most cases, hemorrhoids during pregnancy can be treated easily and naturally at home.
On this page…
What Are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids are swollen or inflamed veins in the rectum and around the anus, basically varicose veins in your bum. There are two kinds, internal and external.
- Internal hemorrhoids are inside the rectum and usually painless, but may cause some pressure. However, if an internal hemorrhoid prolapses (gets pushed outside) it can be very painful.
- External hemorrhoids are small lumps outside of the rectum which can be painful and itchy.
Symptoms include rectal bleeding, itching, burning and pain or pressure, a bulge on the anus, bright red blood on toilet paper.
Anatomical drawing showing internal and external hemorrhoids. Digital illustration.Why Do We Get Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy?
- Pressure: During pregnancy, our uterus and blood volume increases, which puts more pressure on the veins that run through our anus causing them to swell.
- Constipation: Thanks to pregnancy hormones, our bowels slow down during pregnancy and constipation can result.
- Prenatal vitamins: Prenatal vitamins that contain synthetic iron may also be to blame. Synthetic iron can be very constipating. The straining that comes along with constipation can cause hemorrhoids to appear.
- Increased blood flow: In combination with the extra pressure from your growing uterus, extra blood flow makes veins more susceptible to becoming inflamed.
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See HowWhen Do Most Moms Get Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy?
Though hemorrhoids can appear at any time, most moms get them in the third trimester or during labor (straining to push a baby out is a lot like straining to have a bowel movement).
Natural Remedies for Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
To soothe symptoms and properly heal, follow these steps each day.
Every time you go to the bathroom…
- Swap dry toilet paper for wet wipes. Instead of using dry toilet paper, try using natural baby wipes to avoid more irritation.
- Clean the area with a perineal bottle filled with lukewarm water.
- Apply a watch hazel compress. You can get Tucks, which are already pre-made. Or, you can make your own using even cleaner ingredients. To DIY the pads, soak an eye makeup pad in organic witch hazel, then put it on your bum, let it sit for 15 minutes, then dispose. (Note: Some like to freeze the pads first to increase the cooling sensation for added relief.)
- Apply a topical solution for continued relief. Some great options include:
- Coconut oil. It has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that can help with the itching. It can also relieve pain and inflammation and should help hemorrhoids heal within a few days.
- Aloe vera. Apply aloe to the inflamed area for relief. Best to use fresh aloe vera from the leaves of a plant. Whole Foods sells large aloe leaves or you can get a plant at your local nursery. If those aren’t options, be sure to use a pure aloe vera without added chemicals and fragrances.
- Herbal balms. Alternatively, you can try a soothing balm, like this one, or an essential oil blend, like this one.
- Arnica. Apply an arnica gel (or add arnica oil to coconut oil) to the area. Arnica reduces inflammation and heals bruises.
If you’re having a bowel movement…
- Squat to do your doo. Squatting is the natural way to poo. Sitting, or worse, leaning back, pinches the intestines so your stool gets stuck. It puts a lot of pressure on the rectum. Squatting, on the other hand, lets everything relax. You can try raising your legs up and leaning forward so you’re in a more squat position, or you can invest in one of these.
Here are more tips on how to have a great poop.
At night…
To help your body heal, try a symptom-relieving soak each night. Here are some very effective solutions:
- Epsom salt: This is a classic remedy that really works. Fill a sitz bath with 1/2 cup of Epsom salt and lukewarm water. Submerge your vaginal and anal opening and soak for at least 5 minutes.
- Apple Cider Vinegar sitz bath. Some moms find that adding a half cup of raw ACV to a sitz bath really helps; other moms find this stings, so go slowly and stop if you feel extreme discomfort.
How Can You Prevent Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy?
- Drink lots of water! You need lots of water during pregnancy, and if you aren’t drinking enough your body will reabsorb water through the colon, leaving dry stool that’s hard to push out. You want to keep your daily doo at a 4 on the Bristol Stool Chart.
- Get enough fiber. This is huge! Make sure you are getting plenty of fiber from whole fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Soaked chia seeds can be wonderful to keep the bowels moving.
- Incorporate healthy fats. Don’t forget to include healthy fats, as these keep the bowel lubricated. Good sources include virgin coconut oil, pastured butter, raw olive oil, and avocados.
- Get plenty of magnesium. Along with fiber, magnesium helps keep your stools regular and soft. You can try magnesium-rich foods or incorporate a magnesium supplement into your daily routine.
- Choose a food based prenatal vitamin. Synthetic vitamins, especially iron, can cause constipation. Food based prenatals are more absorbable and don’t cause constipation.
- Exercise regularly. Exercise gets your blood pumping, your lymph system moving, and gently massages the digestive system.
- Consume probiotics. Whether in supplement form or from fermented foods, probiotics will help keep everything functioning and flowing.
- Acupuncture. If circulation is to blame for your hemorrhoids, acupuncture can help get things moving. Acupuncture can also improve muscle function, which can help with pregnancy hemorrhoids.
- Try homeopathic Calcarea Fluorica 6x HPUS. Often referred to ask calc fluor 6x, these cell salts are a gentle and effective remedy for dry, chapped skin, and they are well-known for aiding in the relief of the itching and burning associated with hemorrhoids. To take this homeopathic remedy for hemorrhoid relief, dissolve 4 tablets under the tongue 3 times a day. For acute itching or burning, you can take calc fluor every 15 minutes up to 8 times.
Do You Need to See a Doctor?
You don’t usually need to see a doctor for hemorrhoids. Natural remedies will usually take care of them in a few days.
If you’ve tried all the aforementioned remedies and pregnancy hemorrhoids symptoms persist, call your midwife or doctor.
If you have severe symptoms like more than a smear of blood, a lump on the rectum, or have rectal pain, call your midwife or doctor.
How About You?
Did you have hemorrhoids during pregnancy? How did you find relief? Share with us in the comments below.
37 Comments
Shiksha sharma
This article on managing hemorrhoids during pregnancy by Mama Natural is a true lifesaver! It offers valuable insights into natural remedies and lifestyle changes to alleviate the discomfort of hemorrhoids during this special time
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Baillie
I recently developed at least one during second tri, and even though it isn’t shrinking, it hasn’t gotten worse either. I have daily BMs with fiber and water intake but the fluctuation from hard stools to diarrhea makes it impossible to heal. It isn’t too painful as long as I use baby wipes after each BM, pat dry, and apply Balmex adult care cream. It’s basically just a zinc oxide diaper rash cream but for adults. Baby balmex would work too. Soaking in the bath helps with soreness, but it doesn’t seem to be healing anything.
Tiffany
I first got hemorrhoids while I was pregnant with my first child. The hemorrhoids got worse with my second pregnancy. After I had my baby boy, I looked online for some product that would help them go away, so I wouldn’t have to have surgery. I found a product that worked in just 48 Hours. I was amazed. I didn’t have any more hemorrhoids, and it didn’t hurt to go to the bathroom. You can check it here: bit.ly/no-hmr
Shawn
What hemrrhoid product did u recommend? The link u posted on mama natural isn’t working
Mary Drontle
What hemmoroid product worked for you?
Your link didn’t post
Laura
Thank you Tiffany, for posting the link it was really a godsend. After following the suggestions I found there I stopped having outbreaks entirely. For those asking how to get to the product page just copy and paste this link ( bit.ly/no-hmr ) in your browser address bar.
Brittany
I have had hemorrhoids since after my first birth and have sruggled to get any real solution with all the natural remedies suggested on the internet. I’ve never had much constipation. They were only brought on by pregnancy. Now durring my third pregnancy my midwife suggested Boochers Broom oral suppliment. It’s a natural herb. I am in my third trimester and the hemorrhoids are shrinking dispite all the baby pressure! I am so thankful I finnally found somthing that is working. I would highly recommend it after you have addressed any constipation ishues.
Ava-kay
Thanks for the remedies will definitely try these
Nikita
Hi everyone thank you for the information
I’m on my 3rd month only in pregnancy and already having painful piles , tried all the home remedies but nothing helps even thou I’m still on it now
I’m more scared when the time to give birth coz it’s my first child what should I do
I feel normal delivery is a no no if Incase it’s this way
Or am I’m wrong
Can anyone help me please
I’m in a lot of stress right now
Scared and In pain too at the same time
Ling
I am one week post partum and hemorrhoids has gotten so bad I can barely sit. I feel a burning sensation all the time and the topical cream i’m Using as well as witch hazel don’t seem to be providing much relief. I will have to give sitz bath and coconut oil a try. Won’t sitting on a sitz bath for 15 minutes aggravate the hemorrhoids though?
chen
oh ya, tell me about it. When the baby competes with you for fluids and your faeces dries up. You have constipation and strains. Then out comes the hemorrhoids. My hub’s friend works in the nursing homes. They use the squat stool instead. Worked wonders.
Romi
Can you use the witch hazel pads on the vulva if experiencing swelling? Also maybe cutting some aloe vera and apply it on the vulvar area? I am unsure if aloe vera is dangerous only if ingested or topically too!
Team Mama Natural
Of course you could. I don’t see why aloe couldn’t be used topically. I also haven’t heard of aloe being poisonous if ingested as I’ve seen aloe juice sold in stores for years.
Sarah
Aloe Vera is healthy and good for you to ingest. I actually like the taste of it! And there is an anti cancer remedy using the whole leaf pureed. It is fine to use on cuts too, and I have found it heals things quickly. I will try it on my haemorrhoid!
Mary Drontle
A natural path told me try medicated liquid blister
Epsom salt bath works.
Prop self up towel under cheeks
Keila Cunningham
I always have hemorrhoids in all my life and I always managed it very well until I got pregnant. I’m 39 weeks now and today I couldn’t leave my bed I was in agony it was so painful.
I talked to the doctor and midwife I’m using cream, suppository, warm bath with Epson salt and coconut oil, I’m taking Ducoplax to help go to the loo.
But now as I’m too close to give birth in getting really scared.
I really don’t know what else I can do.
Thanks
Keila
boombamomma
I read that fermented drinks (like Kevita) are not good to drink during pregnancy because they have a level of alcohol in them due to the fermentation. They were helping with my bowels immensely but even the small amount of alcohol is potentially dangerous to growing baby. My doctor also told me that healthy drinks for non-pregnant women aren’t always healthy for a pregnant woman. As any alcohol going through the body takes twice as long to leave the growing baby’s body, which is why it is so potentially hazardous. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Team Mama Natural
It all depends on what you feel comfortable with. From my research, a bottle of store bought kombucha contains on average between 0.5% and 2% alcohol. The same amount of your typical American beer contains 5% alcohol per serving.
Carly Vest
Kevin’s doesn’t have alcohol in it. Kevitas are different from kombucha in which they use fermented coconut cultures and coconut water. That’s what it says on their website
Carly Vest
Kevitas*
Ele
Hemorrhoid is one of my problems 6months ago. I was very afraid when I saw blood after I did a bowel movement and feel a lump ‘down there’ after a week. Then it’s symptoms appeared like itching, pain, swelling, inflaming, and burning sensations. These symptoms hindered my daily activities so that I started applying those home remedies that this article recommended and eating healthy foods that can give my hemorrhoid a relief.
Sheenu Ayurved
Thank You your information was very great helped me a lot to clear some confusions, keep posting.
Jessica Lewis
I’ve been suffering from hemorrhoids for many years. I was simply just too embarrassed to go to a doctor or to the pharmacy to ask for a hemorrhoid treatment. Until I found this natural remedy
( http://hemorrhoids-relief.best-tips.info ). I wish I had it years ago. I can’t believe how quickly I got relief (almost overnight!) they’ve never returned and I don’t worry about it anymore because if they do, I know exactly what to do.
FLORENCE
AM LOVING DIS MAMA NATURAL,COS I LIKE TO GO NATURAL.THANKS.KUDOS
Jason White
Your blog is awesome. Thank you so much for giving plenty of useful content. I will bookmark your blog so, it is easy for me to visit again.
You may also check this articles how to treat hemorroid..
http://www.doctor-advice.com/p/hemorrhoids-cure-hemorrhoid-treatment.html
Ariel
I don’t have hemorrhoids but I developed vulvar varicose veins around 24 or 25 weeks. There isn’t nearly as much information out there about this condition but it is not caused by constipation. I already had poor circulation and was prone to vascular issues- however, I wasn’t even aware that this could happen! All my midwife has been able to suggest is a special support garment, constantly changing up my movement/rest patterns to keep the blood flowing and left side-lying at night and periodically throughout the day. It is also not something that will be resolved until sometime after birth, and will probably reappear immediately upon becoming pregnant again. If there’s anything else that those of us suffering from this issue can do, I’m sure we’d all love to hear your ideas!
Kiri
Hi! Ive suffered from vulva varicose veins probably from my second pregnancy along with hemorrhoids that showed up in my 3rd pregnancy. My husband and I would joke about my vagina looking crooked or like a “monster” with my first then noticed it just got worst and worst after each pregnancy and Im currently on my 4th. I also remember ONE varicose vein popping out at the very top of my thigh with my first, now on my 4th I have veins running down to my foot and a few on my other thigh. In my experience it’s not treatable as it comes with pregnancy and they’ve normally disappeared after every birth aside from a few blue veins or discoloration where some of the more “bulgier” veins were. Yes Ive used compression socks/sleeves and a belly support to help alleviate some pressure and discomfort, I would elevate my legs as much as possible, and Im still physically active, but really it doesn’t go away til baby is finally out. You are right there is very little discussion on this and I soon later found my sister experienced having a “monster” in her 2 pregnancies. I want more kids, but the progression of how bad my veins have gotten after each pregnancy (and only probe to worsen with age) is a real hinderance for me.
Grace
Fresh celery juice consumed daily (8-16 oz) can help significantly with all types of varicose veins. I wonder if it can help with this? Drinking it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach is usually the most effective. I’ve had friends who start this after varicose veins show up in pregnancy and it helps them go away within days/weeks. The key is consistency!
Andrew Lodzinski
There are also some useful natural products to help fight the hemorrhoids/ But actually I’d recommend seeing a doctor first, since there are some really good uninvasive methods of treatment especially if you’ve suffered for a long term
Michelle
Hi,
I can attest that witch hazel is SO helpful for varicose veins! I know we are talking about hemorrhoids here but I read that oral hamamelis virginiana works for both issues. I am pregnant and got the green light to take the capsules. Does anyone know if it’s strange to feel like my legs are sore or bruised when taking it? Maybe it’s all in my head but I don’t want to do any damage to other veins in my body. Thanks!
Kathreen Miller
Hemorrhoids can be very painful people hesitate while discussing about it. Hemorrhoids can be of two types internal and external. People suffer severe bleeding, pruritus and perianal discharge. Some natural remedies and supplements helps a lot. Very informative.
MelissaMellie
Thank you very much! If you are suffering from hemorrhoid during pregnancy then you should take natural remedies for it. Coconut oil is the best remedy to treat hemorrhoid. It is an antibacterial and antifungal properties which can help with the itching
Kristin
Oh man, the Amazon reviews on the squatty potty are hysterical! Oh and thanks for the info!
Tiffany
Hey Genevieve. Thanks for the info. Great, as always. I have a question…how about treating hemorrhoids postpartum?
I’ve had them ever since the end of my first pregnancy in 2012. My second child just turned one last month, and while they have gotten better after childbirth both times, they are still there, and will flare up if I have a difficult poo. This rarely happens, because I am nursing and aware of my water intake. So…they didn’t bother me too much, just make it difficult to wipe with tissue. A witch hazel wipe works well.
I haven’t seen a doctor, as hemorrhoids run in my family, and my mother has had them since having kids. I wonder if there are natural treatments I can try before I go to a doctor for the Keesey treatment. Any suggestions for us postpartum mamas? Love your blog. Thanks!
Genevieve
I would try the sitz baths regularly. You could also look at increasing your protein intake to at least 80 grams a day as this can help with circulation and vein issues. Wishing you permanent healing!
Emily
Thank goodness I’ve never had hemorrhoids in my life. I will attest to the fact however, that coconut oil inserted rectally can help with a hard poo.