I need advice please!

[MrsC91705]

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[Baby Hopes]

I had horrible hemorrhoids with both my births. Each time I suffered through them until I was able to treat them with Which Hazel (Wich Hazel?) Not sure if you are using anything on them, but if you aren't I suggest at the very least beginning there. Purchase some TUCKS pads and just place them against your hemorrhoids. Your panties should help keep them in place.

No advice on the doctor thing. Hope you find some relief soon.

[HomeBirthMommy]

After the birth of my first child I had those horrible hemorroids. I tried natural remedies and then OTC (Tucks pads, ointment, etc.), but nothing helped. The pain during a BM was absolutely unbearable, FAR worse than childbirth. I got to the point where I tried to numb myself with ice before attempting to use the bathroom. I finally went to my family doctor and was given a prescription for cream (a steroid, I believe) that worked wonders. There was no talk of a specialist and the exam, while not pleasant, wasn't too bad.

FWIW, I also got hemorroids after the births of #2 and 3, but didn't need the heavy-duty cream. Witch Hazel worked for both of those.

I truly feel for you and I hope you get some relief quick.

[krismarie]

i make a strong witchhazel and yarrow brew (steeped, covered, for at least two hours) strain it and use it as a bath/soak by adding it to warm water.

i hope you find something that works!!

[BelgianSheepDog]

If you took a cal/mag supplement during pregnancy start it back up. There's a lot of muscle relaxation involved in bowel movements and magnesium can help facilitate that.

I found that beets are my favorite laxative food. Maybe boil some and have a nice beet salad each night. Be warned if you eat them every day they will discolor your urine and possibly stools...not harmful at all but can be alarming.

Don't feel like you're alone. I really feel your pain (hah) as do many other women. It will get better over time IME, especially with a high-fiber diet. If you find you are constipated even with high fiber, maybe get your thyroid checked, it can get a little mixed up after birth.

[Yo Becca]

When you say internal 'rhoids, I assume you mean there isn't an external swelling. the witch hazel is for shrinking external hemmorhoids as I understand it. I actually had an internal hemmorhoid in my early 20's - i was totally freaked out and didn't know what was going on and went to the dr. I was prescribed a hydracortisone suppository (traumatic as well, but they worked quickly). They now sell hydrocortizone supps. over the counter - preparation H and Tucks make versions. i would try those, and if they don't work, see your regular doc.

Also, nursing is super dehydrating - and dehydration leads to constipation, which aggrivates hemmorhoids. So be sure you are drinking loads of water. If pooping is painful, try prune juice - it's a sure fire cure for constipation. I also started taking a daily fiber supplement when I was having these problems before. I tried several from the NFS and they basically gave me crazy gas and weren't gentle. I had good luck with fibercon - I took 1 pill a day (the recommended dosage is 2, but 1 worked and I didn't really want to take more than was necessary). But drinking lots, eating high fiber foods, plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, etc. will help also. I swore by drinking prune juice daily in those first few months of nursing my DD. DH teased me about drinking "old people juice" - but it worked.

[StrawberryFields]

I don't know if this will help you but maybe it is worth a shot. After having my son I developed a fissure and it was also extremely painful, I would be in tears and have to lay down on the bed curled up for awhile after going to the bathroom so that I could get it together before getting back up to take care of the baby. I finally found relief by doing this: Every time I had to go to the bathroom, I would immediately plug and start filling the tub. Once there was an inch or so of water I would go to the bathroom and then HIGHTAIL it STRAIGHT into the tub where I would sit and soak for a minute. The pain was greatly, greatly reduced this way and I recovered much quicker without having to see a doctor. It was a pain in the rear (no pun intended ) to have to fill the tub every time but it was soooo worth it. As long as I could pretty much leap from the toilet into the tub the pain was bearable.

[urbangoddess]

I've had great success with internal hemmeroids drinking nettle tea. Also a great source of iron for nursing mama's!