What should I do if I get haemorrhoids during pregnancy?

Doctor's Answers 1

When a woman becomes pregnant, the uterus and foetus will grow larger with time and that causes the veins in the pelvic floor to engorge. It is common for haemorrhoids to enlarge during pregnancy due to engorgement of the pelvic veins, coupled with reduced mobility for some women in the third trimester of pregnancy.

If the haemorrhoids are engorged, it may cause a burning discomfort at the anus or make it difficult to sit down. You can try to use an inflatable cushion/ring to reduce discomfort. You can apply topical haemorrhoid creams (which are available over-the-counter) purchased from a pharmacy. You can also apply an ice-pack to the anus to reduce the swelling of the anus. When the pain is reduced or if the anus feels too cold from the ice-pack, you can remove the pack and lie down for a while.

If the haemorrhoids are bleeding, speak to your obstetrician. He/she may prescribe you an oral medication (such as Daflon) to stop bleeding from the haemorrhoids. Your obstetrician will make sure the medicine is safe for you to consume during pregnancy.

It is not advisable to undergo surgery for haemorrhoids during pregnancy. This is because surgery may irritate the uterus and trigger premature uterine contractions, especially in late pregnancy. Furthermore, many drugs may have unknown side effects during pregnancy and we wish to avoid surgery and anaesthesia whenever possible. As the haemorrhoids tend to reduce in size and settle after pregnancy, surgery may be completely avoidable in a large majority of women with haemorrhoids during pregnancy.

Similar Questions

How do doctors determine when surgery for haemorrhoids is necessary?

In general, surgery is recommended for cases not responding to other non-surgical treatment methods such as oral medication, local therapy or band ligation. In cases with advanced grade or severe disturbing symptoms including recurrent bleeding, constant pain or discomfort due to thromobosis, surgery may be advised as a more definitive treatment method. Just as an aside, rubber band ligation is not suitable for all cases. External piles should not be treated with band ligation due to the rich nerve supply around the anal skin. Doing so can be too painful for anyone to bear.

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Answered By

Dr Wai Leong Quan

Gastroenterologist

Why does haemorrhoids cause anal itching, and how can I treat it?

An itch due to haemorrhoids responds well to topical cream application. Cream is usually prescribed by a doctor after assessment of a hemorrhoid condition.

Photo of Dr Andrea Rajnakova

Answered By

Dr Andrea Rajnakova

Gastroenterologist

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