*TMI* 'Roid questions

[2boyzmama]

Following the trend of my last two births, I'm having poop issues 2-3 weeks post partum after having no problems right after birth. Sigh.

I stayed on the stool softener for a full two weeks, but even on it, I wasn't going every day, and it was starting to hurt by the end of the second week. So I decided to stop the stool softener for a few days and then re-start, thinking my body needed to "reset" or something.

Well now it really hurts And it hurts between trips to the bathroom. It's not a fissure, I had that after Connor and this isn't the same. I'm not constipated (it's not too hard). Could I have a 'roid? I, um, "inspected" in the mirror, but have to admit that I'm not as familiar with that part of my anatomy. If I have a 'roid, would it be obvious? What do they look like?

[Lovinmum]

I can't see mine exactly either but I can feel them. Both with my fingers (in the shower) and after I poo (they hurt). It is possible to have them internally too.

[clemrose]

Oh man, I'm sorry! I've had minor ones and can feel the bulge of them when I wipe after pooping.

Sitz baths (with an actual sitz bath thingy on the toilet) help and are very soothing. They can also help if the discomfort makes it hard to wipe well enough. Also wiping with cotton balls and warm water or witch hazel helps. In fact, I've wet cotton balls with witch hazel and tucked them against my rectum and left them there until the next time I went pee (midwife thought this was good too). And I used Earth Mama Bottom Balm and love it! The price seems high for the size but it is well worth it in my opinion.

Also, instead of stool softeners, you can try what my mom (nursing instructor, former OB nurse & midwife) calls "The Balm" -- fill a coffee cup with half prune juice and half grape juice (the grape juice actually makes it taste good) and heat it up in the microwave. It will get you going if you're constipate and taken daily will definitely help keep you regular.

And this may just be me, but I've craved apples postpartum with both of my kids (eating several small apples a day for months) and I really think this helps me to regulate easily and quickly.

Good luck!

[Siobhain]

you can have internal 'roids' perhaps that is what is causing the pain. Sometimes with stool softeners if you don't drink enough water they can cause you to have issues with constipation. The earth mama angel baby bottom balm is wonderful, it is cooling so helps the pain. You would see a hemorrhoid if it is external, like a little pea size lump (or larger) on the outside of your anus. I was taking up to 3 stool softeners per day after I had thrombosed prolapsed roids this time. They were more pain than I have ever experienced in my life, I would choose childbirth again over having those. So keep your fluids up and keep things moving (but not so much that you cause diarrhea, that can worsen hemorrhoids), this hasn't been a road that is fun to travel, ended up at the ass doctor and everything.....I am so glad I am done having kids LMAO!! Are you sure it isn't fissures?? I am not sure if I had fissures or internal roids that were causing my pain initially, but I suspect I had both.

Fun stuff, I hope you get relief from the pain soon.
Warmly,
Erin

[darcytrue]

I agree with others that they may be internal. The external ones are obvious. Apples help, malic acid, drinking salt water, prune juice.

[2boyzmama]

Thanks guys. I had a BM yesterday that wasn't painful at all, but now sitting here this morning it's hurting. Weird! I'll try your suggestions

[hipmummy]

I had the same problem sans the stool softeners. Both pp periods I developed roids after two weeks of "smooth mooves". I am a big fan of epsom salts. I also do comfrey soaks and I put a comfery,calendula,beeswax lavender balm on post pooping. I had to use a laxative for two day just to buffer the blow. I still have the two roids. Best time to feel and check is in the shower after you run warm water over them. Use some lube or balm so you do not aggrevate them. I always tell my clients to hide the TP as it is too abbrasive. Just use a pericare bottle and baby wipes. And of course, have your midwife or doctor check them at your 6 week.