Posted by Lisa on July 15, 2003 at 10:07:17:
In Reply to: Re: Concerned!!!!! posted by concerned on July 15, 2003 at 10:03:40:
: Thanks for your response!What are piles?
here you ive got it from a site:
pregnancy often means piles
how can you avoid this real pain in the butt?
Piles can be a real pain in the butt during pregnancy. Even if you've never suffered from them before, chances are you'll get them when you're pregnant.
During pregnancy hormonal changes relax the muscle walls of the blood vessels which makes it difficult for the blood to return to the heart from the lower part of your body.
Since you have more blood going round your system and extra weight from your growing uterus, this puts strain on the pelvic veins. In many cases, you can add constipation to this too.
All this may mean that blood pools in the lower body will result in varicose veins in your legs, your rectum or, worse again, your vulva. These can throb, itch and burn and do little for your positive feelings about your pregnant body and wellbeing!
What can you do?
Self-help treatment includes pelvic floor exercises to stimulate circulation, and regular general exercise such as short walks or swimming. Try to avoid crossing your legs when resting, and avoid standing for long periods of time - not so easy if your job demands it!
Foods such as raw garlic (try it finely chopped in salads), onions and parsley will improve the elasticity in your veins. And the parsley may counteract the strong garlicky smell.
You could also try using a little witch hazel on a cold compress applied to the area. Lots of fruit and plenty of water on a daily basis (along with your normal healthy diet) will help cut down on constipation, which you need to avoid if possible as straining or pushing in this region can exacerbate the condition.
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