Piles size of a grape at 35 weeks

[Ellsiedodah]

Hi all, I'm looking for any advice from personal experience or professional nutrition/medical knowledge of the latest thinking in treatment of severe piles for women in late pregnancy. I have a protrusion the size of a large grape which the scheriproct hasn't done anything for (though I'm not bleeding and not in excruciating pain for the most part). I suffered from constipation in my first trimester and then a bit end of second which seems to have embedded an old v mild problem. My midwives, doctors and doula had hardly a thing to say when I first said I was suffering and subsequently I now have this enormous growth. I have for the last 4 days changed my diet - smaller meals, reduced processed fibre (eg no cereal) instead brown/black rice, organic stoneground wholemeal bread, tons of fruit and veg (have always eaten them anyway), no coffee anymore, only keffir by way of dairy etc etc. Have taken mat leave early so I can avoid sitting as much as possible - but have only had one day like this yet though the pile feels as big as ever. Doing pelvic floor exercises allows me to finally fart which was half the problem (so sorry for so much info btw!!) So instinctively I feel these could help overall but I'm scared the blood vessels could be so twisted through this that I really would be cementing the issue (though it really feels this has already happened).

Has anyone a/ managed to see a consultant quickly because their doctor treated this seriously ahead of labour? B/ has anyone come by a consultant who supported some kind of intervention/ surgery pre labour? C/does anyone know of any other specialists eg pelvic floor physios etc who have an interest in this area who might help without going for the needle / snip approach? Huge huge thanks for any advice you can offer!

There isn't really much that can be done, I'm afraid. And for most people, the problem will spontaneously resolve as everything settles back down after the birth.

You need some heavy duty topical numbing creams, and gallons of witch hazel.

I know that sounds unhelpful, but the only curative thing is surgery, and it's one of the procedures that is hard to come by on NHS, sort of covert rationing by lengthy waiting list. It also takes several weeks to heal, and the first week or so can be very painful. As you are 35 weeks, labour could be round the corner and the last think you'd want is post-operative pain in your undercarriage.

Agree with PP I’m afraid. I was exactly the same as you when pregnant. I really admire your dedication to dietary changes but not sure how much they will help. Also, sit down as much as you want: it’s your last few weeks of mat leave, you need to rest!

I was told that pregnancy piles occur because of the hormones making your blood vessels “relax”; diet can be the culprit when you’re not pregnant but there’s nothing you can do about the hormones at the moment. I wouldn’t worry about surgery just now, I know it’s a bugger but it’s just one of those glam sides of being pregnant.

Things that worked for me were:
Flushable wipes instead of loo roll
Witch hazel applied to area on cotton pad after using the loo
Proctosedyl ointment from GP
Fibogel every day up until birth and continue afterwards
Lots of water

Also I don’t mean to worry you, but unless you have a CS it is likely to get worse during delivery. Mine did. But then it all resolved itself very quickly after birth and when all the hormones had calmed down (and by then you’ll be a Mummy so you won’t be anywhere near as bothered!). If you’re still worried about it afterwards you will have plenty of help available from midwives/HVs, and your GP before/during your 6 week check.

Good luck