TMI question

[BusyBeeMom]

Ok, so I'm slightly constipated (something that never, ever happens to me when not pregnant - I'm at the other end of the spectrum). I felt the urge to go, and as soon as I started to try, there were drops of blood from my rectum. It is DEFINITELY from my rectum, I'm not at all worried that this is uterine bleeding.

Um, any suggestions? I'm kind of scared to go now. Is this a precursor to hemmoroids? There's not pain right around the anus/rectum.

Thanks so much, and sorry TMI.

[lizabird]

Sounds like hemmoroids to me...

[LizaBear]

definitely sounds hemmerhoid-ish to me.

[BusyBeeMom]

What do I do? Do I need to "do" anything? Oh man.

[LizaBear]

Up your fiber, do everything you can to keep from getting constipated. Lots of water.

Keep your bottom extremely clean - use baby wipes or a mini-shower after each movement, when sweaty, etc - that helps keep the itching and pain at bay.

Other than that - there isn't much you can do that I know of.

[Llyra]

Yeah, unfortunately. Hemmorhoids are one of the unpleasant bonus prizes that come with pregnancy. Like the PP said, it's a matter of living with it. Mine went away after DD was born.

[courtenay_e]

Really. Up your fiber. Get tons of veggies. Drink a LOT of water. No, I mean MORE than you're drinking now. AND EXERCISE!!!!!!!! Exercise is one of the absolute best ways to reverse constipation, and since you mentioned that you're constipated, it's likely the reason that you're experiencing hemorroids (it also COULD be bleeding from the rectum, which can happen if you get tiny tears around the inside of the rectum from the hard stool passing and the pushing). Really, a very brisk walk, a good long swim where you feel your heart rate rise (no, a risen heart rate is NOT a risk, as long as you're not crazy about it)...they are the best medicine for constipation. And exercise is also very VERY good for a baby and its muscle tone...it's proven that babies whose mothers exercise regularly during pregnancy handle labor better and come out with very toned muscles (which makes it easier for baby to move head and latch, by the way!).

Hope that helps.

Oh, and it's NEVER too late to start. Just start slowly and build up. (I mean session to session, not all at once).

[Ahappymel]

I had this...
It is hemmorhoids. Mine aren't painful...they just itch sometimes.
Lots and lots of high fiber/water foods in the diet and plenty of fluids should help keep them/symptoms at a minimum.

[mamanurse]

Maybe I missed it when I read this thread, but you could try witch hazel. They sell it in a bottle and you can also buy wipes with witch hazel in them. My hemmorhoids got so bad while I was pg, I got a Rx for a steroid cream:bag:

[pumpkinsmama]

I just had a family member diagnosed with a bleeding ulcer after blood appeared from the rectum. Not sure how much, but if for any reason you are sure it isn't 'roids, def. see a doctor.

Fingers crossed it is just 'roids.

[mamanurse]

A bleeding stomach ulcer would result in dark black stools not stools with bright red blood in it. I would, however, have some sort of healthprofessional look at it wheter it be a naturopath, midwife, or OB.

[pumpkinsmama]

I don't have all the details, but I don't think it was a stomach ulcer.

[Piper's mama]

:wave Hi, I had this about a month ago. I was in a local coffe shop :o and actually had a really loose BM, and noticed blood from my rear. It totally freaked me out and I called my MW immediatly. She got back with me a little later, and I had not seen anymore blood. She said sometimes in pregnancy you can have bleeding from a little further up inside your intestines and it is normal. It didn't happen again so we didn't worry about it. I would say just assume it's normal, talk to your MW or OB, and get it checked out if it happens again. (in my case it definently wasn't hemmoroids)

[BusyBeeMom]

Thanks for all the tips! I'm going to walk more, drink more water, and check in w/my MW about it when I see her next week.