Panicking about piles :-/

[ChineapplePunk]

This may be an extremely daft question, but does having fairly large (but not particularly uncomfortable or painful) haemorrhoids cause increased pain or discomfort during childbirth?

Even before my pregnancy I have always had problems with them. It runs in my family. However, being pregnant and having to take quite a high dosage of iron every day has ensured my continuing battle with constipation, and an increase in size of "affliction".

I am hoping that I wont really notice any problems during labour as I'll be dealing with much bigger things, but, would like to know if there is potential for any unpleasant side effects and if anyone has similar problem/concerns.

Sorry for all the gory details but don't really know how to frame this in a pleasant way.

The labour/delivery didn't bother me in the slightest, with the same complaint, however get a prescription for Scheriproct for afterwards. Just trust me on this one. All the water/fibre in the world won't help (well, they won't hurt either) but you need the big guns for afterwards.

Thanks, dontlaugh. Noted.

Saw this on the Market and was curious too...

You might find it helpful to stop taking iron tablets and use liquid iron supplements instead, whcih dont bung you up.
Floradix is very good.

Giving birth does aggravate piles so I woudl try and reduce them now if you can.
See your GP about medication for them and start taking it now, dont wait till after you give birth...

I hear what you are saying, Pannacotta, but I am a bit hesitant to stop taking the iron supplements. There are a few reasons behind this. Firstly, I'm not having any nausea related issues with them and find them really easy to take. Secondly, even though I have noticed a slight increase in the severity of my constipation, it has been worse in the past - I kind of go through phases. Therefore, I'm not convinced, based on my history, that liquid iron would make that much of a difference. Even when following a high fibre diet and doing all the right things, I have always had constipation to one degree or another. Basically, I've resigned myself to the fact that I'm definitely going to continue to have piles and just deal with the "trauma" that birth will inflict on them as best I can. Does that make any sense?

Have to say I was in agony after 2 of my babies due to piles. In tears on a couple of occasions. The visiting midwife was fab though and organised some super cream/gel which brought great relief.

I suffered for years with awful constipation, now I take Magesium citrate and vitamin C supplements every night (on the advice of a Dr who specialised in nutrition) and have no probs at all.

Pretty sure these are both ok to take during pregnancy but worth looking into.

Cheers, Pannacotta. That sounds like good advice. I'll investigate further. :-)