Hemorrhoids (Piles) After Giving Birth or Pregnancy

From my previous work as a midwife, I gained extensive experience with hemorrhoids after pregnancy and childbirth, including hemorrhoids caused by the birth itself and those occurring during the postpartum period. In principle, any woman can be affected, but pregnancy and childbirth are particularly significant risk factors. In this guide, you will learn how to prevent hemorrhoids as effectively as possible – and, if they do occur, which measures can help and why medical Kegel balls or glass dilators can provide especially effective and rapid relief. Because both body and mind are under considerable strain after childbirth and attention is focused on the baby and family, these symptoms are often perceived as particularly distressing.

Contents

How Do Hemorrhoids Develop After Pregnancy or Childbirth?

During pregnancy – especially in the first weeks – many changes occur within the body that can promote the development of hemorrhoids.

Pregnancy hormones cause the softening and increased flexibility of tissues, affecting muscles, skin, cartilage and blood vessels. The vascular system is particularly affected: blood volume increases by approximately 40%, while the blood vessels lose some of their natural tone and become more dilated. This makes it more difficult for blood to return to the heart, particularly from the lower half of the body. Venous valves no longer close completely, causing blood to pool in the legs. Gentle exercise can help prevent this. Later in pregnancy, the weight of the baby and uterus further increases pressure on the pelvic veins, making blood return even more difficult. This encourages the development of oedema (fluid retention) and varicose veins. Hemorrhoids are also a form of varicose vein.

Internal hemorrhoids after childbirth (usually Grade 1 or 2) are very common, do not always cause symptoms and may disappear on their own. Their development is further encouraged by hormonally induced slowing of intestinal activity (peristalsis) and increased water absorption within the bowel. Physical activity is often limited during the final weeks of pregnancy, which promotes constipation. Iron supplements can also harden the stool, meaning that excessive straining during bowel movements may lead to external hemorrhoids (Grades 2 to 4), which often require treatment. See image:

Hemorrhoids Caused by Childbirth

Even if no hemorrhoids developed during pregnancy, they may still occur as a result of childbirth itself. Unfortunately, many women are still placed on their backs during labour and encouraged to push forcefully. From a medical perspective, both practices are physiologically unnatural and increase the risk of hemorrhoids. A far gentler approach for both mother and baby is to guide the mother to actively “breathe and push the baby out”. This technique facilitates the birth process and significantly reduces the likelihood of hemorrhoids. It should be an essential part of every antenatal class.

Symptoms of Hemorrhoids During the Postpartum Period

Hemorrhoids during the postpartum period can be particularly distressing for new mothers and their families. The early postpartum period (the first ten days after childbirth) is characterised by recovery and healing. The pelvic floor has been heavily strained during birth and may have been injured. Circulation is often unstable because blood loss and milk production can lead to dehydration. Adequate fluid intake and a healthy diet are therefore important not only for you but for your entire family. Constipation, hard stools and fear of pain during bowel movements – particularly after an episiotomy or perineal tear – may lead women to suppress the urge to defecate, further worsening the problem. All these factors contribute to the development or aggravation of hemorrhoids during the postpartum period.

How Can I Recognise Hemorrhoids, Skin Tags or Perianal Thrombosis?

The distinction is often possible even without a medical examination. However, when in doubt, the rule is simple: consult a doctor!

Hemorrhoids are swellings or enlargements around the anus that may feel like foreign bodies and occasionally cause minor bleeding. They are not necessarily painful. Because cleaning the area after a bowel movement becomes more difficult, itching, burning and sometimes inflammation may occur.

Perianal thrombosis usually develops suddenly, is very painful and appears as a tense, bluish vein. If you experience these symptoms, you should seek medical advice promptly.

Skin tags are soft, skin-coloured folds of tissue that are usually harmless. They can only be reduced through regular massage – for which our FMS Dilators are ideal.

How Can I Prevent Hemorrhoids from Developing?

Many risk factors can be reduced through simple lifestyle measures. These recommendations not only help you, but also support the health of your entire family – especially during the postpartum period and while breastfeeding.

Healthy Nutrition:

• Drink 2–3 litres of water or herbal tea per day.
• Eat a fibre-rich diet: vegetables, salads, wholegrain products, legumes, nuts, seeds and dried fruit.
• Reduce sugar, sweets and highly processed foods.
• Choose wholegrain products instead of refined white flour products.

Healthy Bowel Habits:

• Take your time and avoid stress.
• Avoid excessive straining.
• A position with slightly elevated feet and a rounded back (similar to a squat) relaxes the levator ani muscle and makes bowel movements easier. See image:

Proper Anal Hygiene:

• Always pat the area dry gently first, then clean it with water.
• Avoid moist cleansing wipes, as they may disrupt the skin’s natural flora. Disposable washcloths are a better option.
• Plain water is ideal. If a cleansing product is necessary, choose one that is mild and pH-neutral, rinse it off thoroughly and ideally apply a protective ointment afterwards.

The best approach is to prevent hemorrhoids from developing in the first place through these measures. If hemorrhoids are already present, these recommendations should be followed consistently and regularly.

Home Remedies for Hemorrhoids After Pregnancy and Childbirth

There are also effective home remedies that can be used without visiting a doctor. Ointments containing witch hazel (Hamamelis), natural suppositories and cooling applications may all provide relief. Particularly effective are cold compresses (for example quark wraps or decongestant nasal spray) and sitz baths containing oak bark extract or sea salt.

These measures can reduce common symptoms such as itching and bleeding. Smaller hemorrhoids (Grade 1 or 2) often shrink on their own after childbirth. Grade 3 hemorrhoids, however, usually need to be repositioned – meaning they must be gently pushed back into place with a finger or suitable medical aids.

No-Compromise Solutions: Viball® and FMS Dilators

Based on my experience as a midwife and therapist, we developed our own medical aids at Theros that meet the highest standards and are certified medical devices.

Theros FMS Dilators

Our FMS Dilators made from borosilicate glass help you effectively and gently reposition hemorrhoids quickly – often a single application is sufficient. They can also be used as cooling devices to reduce inflammation. Borosilicate glass is exceptionally smooth, durable and hygienic.

With a total of 27 sizes, they allow extremely precise adaptation to your anatomy and symptoms.

Viball® Medical Kegel Balls

Viball® are certified medical Kegel balls that can be used both vaginally and rectally by women and men. They are made from polished anti-allergenic implant-grade steel, have no retrieval strings and are available in six sizes. Anti-allergenic implant-grade steel is exceptionally smooth, easy to clean and has anti-inflammatory properties. During daily use, Viball® helps prevent hemorrhoids from protruding again while simultaneously training the pelvic floor and continence.

Tip: Viball® can easily be used both vaginally and rectally for pelvic floor training. Anti-allergenic implant-grade steel meets the highest clinical hygiene standards.

Additional Tip: Use a high-quality medical lubricant with all products to avoid irritation or allergic reactions.

Further information can be found in our guide: “Hemorrhoids Self-Treatment: Causes, Symptoms, Similar Conditions and All Treatment Options”.

You May Also Be Interested In:

• Hemorrhoids Self-Treatment: Causes, Symptoms, Similar Conditions and All Treatment Options
• Pelvic Floor Exercises With Kegel Balls for Women and Men
• Kegel Balls: How To Use Them, Effects, Safe Materials And How To Choose
• Pelvic Floor Training After Birth With Kegel Balls: How to Find the Right Ones to Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor
• Vaginismus: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options
• Anal Fissure: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options
• Lichen Sclerosus: Symptoms, Progression and Measures to Prevent Narrowing
• What Is Dyspareunia? Meanings, Causes and Treatment Options for Pain During Sex