Haemorrhoids (Piles) During Pregnancy

It’s been a long day for Anu. As she relaxes with her evening coffee, she feels a jab of pain close to her anus. A trip to the gynaecologist the next day confirms her fears. It is piles.

Piles, which look like soft purple lumps protruding through the anal ring, are actually swollen veins. They are caused by the increased pressure on the pelvic veins by the growing uterus and could scare you with a fit of bleeding when the haemorrhoids burst. And although piles could lead to constipation and painful stools, they are largely harmless and disappear after childbirth. Don’t worry too much about surgery because pregnancy related haemorrhoids rarely need to be removed.

What to do

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Eat high fibre food, such as fruits and vegetables.
• Apply cold compresses.
• Try a local anaesthetic ointment.