Labour and haemerroids

[Artesia]

Any advice much appreciated! Had an awful bout of thrombosed haemerroids earlier in my pregnancy- possibly the most painful thing I have ever experienced. They eventually cleared up but now, at 40+4, they are back. Was feeling ok about impending labour, but now terrified about how bad the haemerroids will get, both during and after labour.

Anyone got any miraculous tips or advice to help me??!

I didn't feel them during birth remember to not push until to can't not push.
After birth make sure you are hydrated and maybe eat some extra dried fruit ect so first post birth poo is soft and have some cream ready. You can use it even if you have stitches.

I had the same but honestly they all but disappeared from straight after the birth. Do ask to be prescribed Movicol or lactulose after the birth and if you're prescribed iron ask for the liquid not tablets. Pushing just wasn't an issue - I apparently pooed and I'm sure the piles popped out but nobody said anything and we all just focused on the baby. Good luck!

Uuurgh I've currently got these after labour last week. Am losing count of the health pros who have examined my stitches and recalled in horror at the bunch of grapes attached to my rear instead :( :(

I agree with others that they won't make the act of labour more painful. But, in my experience, they could well be one of the worst aspects of recovery. Even when all the stitches are healing nicely and the after pains have stopped, these are a much nastier issue. Def agree with not pushing unless you really have to - but that's just good advice anyway.

Some things I've found to bring some relief post labour...buy a 'donut' inflatable cushion (boots sell them in the OAP section). If you're anything like me you may be actually unable to sit down for a week without feeling faint. Try EVERY type of topical treatment. But not all at once - some of them overlap on ingredients. Personally I've found Anusol suppositories the best for internal scratchiness and Preparation H best for external. The steroid treatment the GP prescribed did sweet FA except thin the skin and cause stinging. For relief (but not cure), add 2 drops of tea tree oil to water, soak a cotton bud and wash. Soak a sanitary pad in witch hazel and wear as normal - this helped a lot.

Keep hydrated, improve your diet (more fibre, less caffeine) and do insane amounts of pelvic floor. But above all go into it with your eyes wide open and don't expect instant miracles...as soon as my stitches are fully healed il be booking in for either injections or banding to try and remove the buggers once and for all.

Good luck!!!