Piles

[katie23913]

Sorry too much info, but does anybody else get piles a lot? I have been taking lactulose as a stool softener but I am still getting them. I have blood a lot after going to the toilet.

Is there any piles treatment that can be taken in pregnancy?

Hi @katie23913

I’ve had them once so far and DP went out and bought some germaloid cream. However pharmacist insisted I called my GP to check if it’s okay (despite being advertised for pregnant women)

I wanted to try natural ways before using it anyway (and GP always asks) as it was small and didn’t hurt. I tried the sitz bath (in my own bath tho) just a warm bath to soothe it and it’s dissapeared. It did take a couple of days though but if you’re really struggling get in touch with your GP.

Hope you feel better soon x

Hi I had v bad piles during my last pregnancy. Things that helped were:

• going to the GP to get some cream on prescription
• making a real effort to drink more water
• drinking Fybogel
• putting KY jelly around my bottom before going to the toilet
• holding a warm flannel against the piles to sooth it.

I’m pretty sure I got the KY jelly idea from an old mumsnet thread.

This pregnancy I have only suffered once and I went to the chemist, the pharmacist said the only one I could use without prescription is the one in the yellow box (prep H?).

Good luck OP. Piles in pregnancy are awful. Sorry to say they may get even worse after the baby comes.

Have you tried the pooing with your feet up on a stool? Google correct poo position, makes a big difference to strain around that area

The only time it hurts is when I'm on the toilet, they aren't external piles. I have been taking lactulose everyday which the doctor prescribed me which is helping pass stools easier.

I do have some piles cream in my cupboard which I used before being pregnant but I don't dare use it in case it's not safe. I am seeing the midwife on Wednesday so I will ask her about it. I drink quite a lot of water and try drink fruit juice too to try avoid constipation.

Piles are the worst- you have my sympathy! Had them at the end of last pregnancy (baby very low) and got laxido on prescription. Lactulose didn't work for me. Lots of water and fruit are essential. Try to avoid processed fibre like bran flakes as it's very hard/scratchy to pass and can damage sore skin.
Correct poo position is vital- knees up and elbows down! Get a toddler step/box/pile of books to raise your feet up and really squat into the loo.
Luckily they all but disappeared within a month of giving birth but I'm 7 weeks pregnant again and the dreaded "grapes" have returned... wish me luck for the next 7.5 mths (cry emoji)

It’s a nightmare isn’t it! I’m on the lactulose too, I’ve upped my fibre intake too and try to drink as much water as possible. I was drinking prune juice which physically sends shivers up my spine now, a friend of mine recommended fruit and fibre with dried prunes which are a lot easier to handle. Along with prune flavoured yoghurts.
Hope the midwife helps you on Wednesday!

ice is wondeful for shrinking them.they are awful and embarrassing aren’t they? The gps have many better things than you can get otc but not sure if safe for pg - I had issues pp

You can get internal suppositories over the counter, or even from the supermarket. Really makes a difference.

Mine were so bad last time. I used all the pile cream and all the suppositories needed to make it better. That and lactulose were the only things that got me through. Baby was totally fine and is now 2.5 years old. Haven’t had them this time but have the creams and suppositories at the ready!

A warm bath with some
Epsom salts helped mine enormously. I maintain that piles were the worst part of my pregnancy, I could just be laid still and I'd be in agony

www.boots.com/hemoclin-gel-45ml-10067550

This was a lifesaver for me...it’s expensive but honestly I’d have happily paid twice that at the time!