A question about piles in pregnancy (possibly, actually definitely TMI!)

[kinkytoes]

My question is this:

Can piles be painless? Only I'm not sure if I have them, or if what I'm feeling is actually a swollen mess of scar tissue left by the large episiotomy I had last time around

Everything seems to be swollen down below at the moment and back passage no exception. I've had no pain and only a tiny bit of blood. I'd be interested to know if piles are always painful as then I'll know what's going on. I've tried to have a look with a mirror but the size I am at the moment it's near impossible to see!

Sorry for the grim subject matter

[SevenOhTwo]

I don't know for certain but I suspect so as I think I have piles due to seeing blood occasionally and seeing them - or something - with mirror (won't be doing that again as it totally horrified me!) but I don't have any itching or soreness.

This is my third pg, and I had the same thing last two times, and it went away of its own accord, although after dc1 it was v painful (I'm guessing due to long period of bearing down type pushing).

Was wondering if I ought to be doing anything about it - hopefully someone more knowledgeable along soon!

[Junosmum]

Piles don't have to be painful. I have a lovely bunch of grapes protruding from my arsehole from giving birth 10 weeks ago. They are inconvenient from a personal hygiene point of view but luckily aren't painful.

[Squaffle]

I have had them on and off throughout pregnancy; related to hormones/weight of baby rather than constipation. They do not hurt, itch, bleed or cause any discomfort: they're just 'there'. I was worried about them getting out-of-control-huge from pushing, so I got some Proctosedyl on prescription which has completely shrunk them; over-the-counter stuff didn't work on me! I definitely second the advice not to look ;)

[mrsmugoo]

I've got a mild case of them (28 weeks pg) just from lots of downward pressure.

As pp said - inconvenient but not painful.

[Sorebigtoes]

Piles can be painless, but if it's all your perineum that is swollen you might have vulval varicosa (basically varicose veins around your vulva). I have them, they don't usually hurt but can be uncomfortable.

[kinkytoes]

Thanks for the advice ladies. I guess I should be grateful I'm not suffering with pain or itchiness. Might mention it to midwife as don't want to make anything worse during labour (although the plan is to be hypnobirthing so hopefully no major pushing but who knows what's in store really!)