When you’re pregnant there is a good chance you will suffer from constipation. And when your constipated, piles often arrive as well to make you doubly uincomfortable.

But what exactly are piles and what can you do if you get them while you’re pregnant?

Here’s our guide to piles and pregnancy:

What are piles?

Piles (or haemorrhoids to give them their correct name) are lumps containing enlarged blood vessels that form inside and around your anus. They can be painful and itchy. Constipation during pregnancy can cause them, but they also occur because pregnancy hormones make your veins relax.

How do I know if I’ve got piles?

If you have piles you will probably experience one or more of these symptoms:

  • Lumps in and around your anus
  • Itchiness and pain around your anus
  • Bright red blood after you poo

How can I prevent piles?

Piles often occur because of constipation, so try to eat lots of fibre, including wholemeal bread, wholegrain rice and pasta, fruit and vegetables, wholemeal bread – and drink lots of water – to prevent it.  You should also avoid standing for long periods and take regular exercise to improve your circulation.

How can I treat piles?

Having piles can be painful, but there are many things you can do to help ease the pain and improve the situation, such as:

  • Put a cloth in icy water, then wring it out and hold it gently against your piles
  • If any piles are sticking out, use a lubricating jelly and push them gently back inside
  • Avoid straining when you have a poo, as this may make your piles worse
  • After having a poo, clean your anus with moist, rather than dry, toilet paper
  • Pat, rather than rub, the area when you’re drying yourself
  • Have a warm bath to ease the itching and pain

But you mustn’t resist the urge to go to the loo, or spend more time on the toilet than is necessary.

There are ointments available to buy which can reduce the itch and discomfort of piles and help you feel more comfortable. Make sure that your pharmacist knows that you are pregnant. If you are also suffering from constipation despite changes to your diet a laxative which is suitable for you while pregnant may be needed: your midwife or pharmacist will advise you.

Can having piles hurt my baby?

No – piles can’t harm your baby in any way.

Do I need to see a doctor about piles?

Not at first. They are very common, especially in pregnancy, and normally get better by treating them at home.

Do make an urgent appointment to see your GP if you are in severe pain or if you are seeing a lot of blood come from the back passage.

Also if there has been no improvement in the symptoms of piles after seven days of treatment at home you should see your GP.

It’s important to know that that there are other causes of bleeding from the back passage other than piles. If you continue to have bleeding or if blood is mixed with your bowel motion or you have other symptoms, such as diarrhoea or feeling generally unwell, seek medical attention right away.

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