Piles...sorry tmi

[fairywings55]

Sorry for the grim subject matter.

In my first pregnancy I had some external piles that never really went away but they were tiny and have never caused me any discomfort or irritation so I just left it.

I'm now pregnant again and tonight I've had a really bad stomach and afterward I knew there was something going on. I've had a look and there is a ginormous pile, actually huge. I've never had anything like this before. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do. I read they can sometimes go back in on their own. Is this true? It's very tender at the moment but when it's calmed down what shall I do? I'm panicking a bit as it's very very large and noticeable. Help!

Urgh I had this in my second pregnancy. I was horrified, and it was so sore!! I used anusol and it helped. They are still there but not sore. On pregnancy 3 and so far so good but I have been extra extra careful about straining when going to the toilet since they first appeared 3 years ago! Oh the joys.

Honestly I was so mortified when I saw it, it's like a brain!!!! Sorry too much.

I've been quite constipated throughout pregnancy but something upset me tonight and I really needed to go badly, there was a lot of straining and stomach pain. And now this

I will get some cream but I'm now scaring myself looking at Google because it says really large ones sometimes need surgery to remove them.

I had a huge agonising one literally the size of a plum (the GP gasped when she saw it) I was prepared to have surgery but she prescribed some creams and they actually did the job.
You need stronger than anusol prescription cream!

@catfunk I would say this isn't too far off that size. Definitely bigger than a grape.

Is there anything I can get over the counter or will I need to speak to GP? Would it be GP or midwife? I'm debating having a soak and trying to put it back in but my god it's frightening...

If they're really big they can take a month to go completely back up. Get prescription cream and frozen veg in a food bag rolled up like a sausage.

Just had a soak in the bath and tried to push them back in, I think maybe it worked a bit but I'm not going to do too much tonight while it's sore. I will try some over the counter cream tomorrow (I've read Germaloids is safe during pregnancy) and if there's no improvement I'll speak to my GP later in the week. Really hard to see a doctor at the moment and don't fancy photographing my arse for a virtual appointment if I can help it!!!

Oh god I still can't believe the size of it 😩

I've just recently been to see a bowel doctor.

Mine started just like yours. But after my 2nd pregnancy for worse (as I was carrying around my first DC, so adding extra weight)

Mine are ow terrible and never go back inside. I believe this is grade 4/5.

So I am having them privately removed (approx £3k) as I cannot wait 12+ months in the NHS waiting list.

I would recommend getting this sorted asap as they can band them, as long as they are not fully descended/permanently external.
My GP didn't take me seriously and didn't give me banding as an option.

This is a useful thread. Mine are also worse in second pregnancy and now getting bad at 32 weeks. Was thinking I’d go for otc medication tomorrow, something like anusol and a stool softener, but now thinking that I’ll ring the GP and see whether I can just go to a stronger prescription cream. Mine were horrendous after childbirth last time so I think I need to do what I can to improve things before then. Today I cried because I pooed myself out shopping and didn’t even realise. It was dry and flaked up, strange but mortifying and not something I need a repeat of. Sending solidarity to fellow bum-sufferers.

Op I was given rectogesic and scheripocht ointments. Not sure if you can get them OTC / can use during pregnancy but worth an ask.

@catfunk thank you. I will try an OTC one first and go from there. Things seem a lot calmer this morning, soreness and swelling have gone down and it looks a lot smaller. Clearly something I need to keep an eye on however. I can imagine having big ones isn't ideal during labour.