Hemorrhoids--How long did yours last postpartum and what did you do about them?

[mommydearest]

How long did your hemorrhoids last postpartum? What did you do to make them better? I've tried the typical cures--witch hazel, warm baths, fiber, and colace. But it is not helping. Any other ideas?

[Ericka_Jarett]

In the hospital I was given ice for my tear and the hemorrhoids. I used tucks and an ointment as well, same time, per nurses. Took them at least 3-4 weeks to really shrink all the way down.

[southerner]

stupid question incoming...

is it common for them to not ever go away again?

[LexyLou]

I remember just having very little hemmorrhoids and they went away rather quickly and weren't painful at all. I remember being all proud of myself for that....

Then about 3 months PP they returned and lasted for 4-5 months. Yikes. That wasn't fun.

[Ericka_Jarett]

Southerner - It's common for them to be with you forever.

[Heather719]

I got them in a bad way when I was pregnant (oddly enough, they weren't too bad after having DS). I was in agony and none of the regular over the counter remedies helped. My ob/gyn ended up calling in a prescription of Proctozone- HC and that did the trick. It is cream you put on the effected areas twice a day- it was a miracle worker for me!

Good luck!

[Jenzen01]

I'm still having some issues, and I'm 4 months PP.

[dana b]

i saw a proctologist after the birth of ds and he told me most hemorrhoid problems will clear up by 8 weeks pp, to be very careful up until then (i was getting thrombosed hemorrhoids though).
he also said metamucil is much better than colace. he didn't think too highly of colace, esp for nursing moms.
to answer the question though. mine probably cleared up by about 4 or 5 weeks pp, that was after they were surgically opened though. i don't think they ever really go away, they just go into hiding :p

[PinkMartini]

4 months PP and still having issues with them. I'd never had them prior to giving birth, and I don't wish these things on anyone! They suck...

[ShannonGH]

i don't think they ever really go away, they just go into hiding

This is what my ob told me too. Mine were totally gone around 8 weeks pp. But I'm sure they'll be back with subsequent pregnancies. Oh joy.

[Lizard]

I had some big-ass (pun intended) hemorrhoids... I had no idea they could get that big and even the postpartum nurse would wince when she checked it. :rolleyes: They took several months to go away despite using cream, Tucks, etc., and the biggest one is still "there", just not bothersome anymore (if that makes sense).

[elladee]

More than a year after giving birth, mine's not totally gone, either. What's left is small, and doesn't bother me at all.

[Chris'slady]

I'm glad someone brought this up they hurt so bad i was wondering when this would go away im 2 and a half months postpartum i wouldnt put these on my worst enemy they hurt so bad i swear off going to the bathroom nothing helps to get rid of them for me.

[kimthebride]

Being The Queen Of Fiber I never thought I'd get them.
Well, I got mine within a month of becomg pregnant with DS in 2004, and they never went away. I still had them 13 months later when I got pg with DD, and they still are making me miserable.

At my next OB visit, I am asking how I can get them removed surgically.

FTR, I use PrepH cream pretty much daily, PrepH wipes, eat a very high-fiber diet, tried Colace, only drink water (about a gallon a day, if not more)....nothing made them go away or get better enough to not be irritating.

[jimmysgirl424]

Question: I've had hemorroids twice in my life, neither time being pregnant. Does that mean I'm more prone to get them now that I am pregnant?

[Ericka_Jarett]

http://www.cfpc.ca/English/cfpc/programs/patient%20education/hemorrhoids/default.asp?s=1

causes of them, cures, surgery info

[kimthebride]

Thank you Erika_Jarett! I would love to be able to try the "soak in a warm bath 3x a day" remedy, though I don't think DS would let me ;) .

[Pink_Converse]

I got a little one while pregnant and I am 9 mo. postpartum and mine just "goes into hiding". It's not very bothersome at all. I never knew they could stay with you forever until after I got one. Oh....joy.

[MLA]

Dear lord. I tell myself I should stay away from these pregnancy boards, but do I listen? No. I just keep finding more and more things to freak me out about getting pregnant. It's good birth control, I suppose. :p

Glad to know, though, that if I do get them there are surgical remedies.

Ah, the joys of womanhood!

[CMW02]

Even though I had a c-sec w/DD, I did push for 2 hours and ended up with an awful case of hems. For me, they were worse than recovering from surgery. Ugg.

Mine lasted about a month, although, its true..they go down, but never really go away. :(

I'm presently 7mos pg and am suffering again. I've tried everything...tucks, prep H, baths, ice, vicks vapo rub even --suggested by babyctr.com msg board...it worked actually to relieve the pain.
But, now I'm off to the drug store to get NUPERCAINAL. Its OTC cream that "they say" is a total godsend. I'll let you know how it works. LOL

In the meantime, drink tons of water, take stool softeners, eat lots of fiber and have patience.

[scout]

I pushed out a 9 pound six ounce boy and had hemmorrhoids for the first time in my life. It was horrible. I dreaded going to the bathroom. I used tucks and preperation H. I considered a sitz bath, but they ended up going away after two weeks. I haven't had any problems since.

[steviem]

Scout: Ditto to your statement exactly!!!

I too, popped out a 9 lb 6 oz baby boy. I had no idea how painful hemmorrhoids could be. In fact, I had no idea I had hemmorrhoids for a few days because I was too afraid to look and feel "down there" after giving birth but I knew something was going on because I was in so much pain. Finally, I got the nerve up and felt these awfulf bumps. I used tucks pads and that spray the hospital gives you (derma spray??). I also had to take Viccodin for the first week after to help with the pain. Going from the standing to sitting position and sitting to standing would literally take my breath away it hurt so bad......and, going to the bathroom. Oh my.... it still freaks me out just thinking of it.

By 2 weeks, they had gone away- thank goodness. I haven't had any problems since.

[lady1297]

I have them now, one week PP. They are the worst. I'd rather have a tear, trust me. I'm doing sitz baths and witch hazel, but mostly I think it's Motrin that helps the most. If I take my 800 mg Motrin (as prescribed by doctor), then I hurt less. Please tell me they will go away!
And should I be taking fiber pills even though I don't have constipation?? Does that help make it easier when their isn't constipation??

[mommydearest]

Fiber--

YES!!! Take the fiber. It makes the poop softer--bulky but not hard. My 'roids are finally going down. They are still there, but they don't hurt now except when I have a BM--then it looks like a psycho shower scene though. But, some of that is my stitches having not healed in the back yet.

Anyway, what worked for me was baths, tucks pads, fiber, and colace all together consistently for about 2 weeks. And Tylenol for pain. I went to the doctor last week for them, but she said to keep doing what I was doing and eventually they relaxed.

[RobynScott]

ugh - bumping this for more stories in part b/c I am SCARED. I'm just under 26 weeks and having some serious hems - *knock on wood* so far they're more uncomfortable than painful, but they seem to be multiplying.

Anyone have any proven remedies to make these things go away? The "awful bumps" description is so true - ugh!

[BusyBee]

Can *** use Tucks or Prep H during pregnancy?
Never had them before, and yesterday, 10 days from my due date with DC#2, they suddenly appeared. They are not painful yet, just little grapes down there, and if they could shrink a little, I'd be much less nervous.

[kimthebride]

Hi BusyBee - yes, you can use them throughout *********. I've used PrepH cream every single day of my ********* and my OB is fine with it....and he can be a bit on the conservative side at times (he's high risk). Hope it helps!