The dreaded hemorrhoids advice please

[NicMom]

So far my least favorite pregnancy side effect.

Ladies I think I'm getting hemorrhoids. Never happened with my first two kids and I'm freaking out. The thought of it is scarry and disgusting all at the same time. I'm leaving first thing in the morning for a romantic getaway with my dh and I don't even know how I'm going to have sex when all I can think about is the fact that I have hemorrhoids well hemorrhoid singluar.

Tips advice anything?? How do I make the swelling go down? This is without a doubt the most TMI post I have ever put up. I may delete my medhelp/fb friends off fb because I am so embarssed right now.

[angela418]

I posted on the same topic a couple weeks back.  Here's the link and it has some good advice from others:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Pregnancy-18-34/The-most-embarrassing-pregnancy-symptom-hemorrhoidshelp/show/1514423?personal_page_id=873587#post_6881051

Mine is feeling better than it was when I posted this question.  What I do is use a bottle of witch hazel (the active ingredient in tucks pads - but cheaper to buy the bottle) and dampen the toilet paper whenever I wipe after a BM.  It seems to have helped the pain and swelling.  I couldn't sit on my butt for the first 3-4 days without it hurting, but now it's no problem and it doesn't hurt all day anymore.  Sometimes it itches, but that's it.  

And, don't feel embarrassed - it happens to the best of us! :-)  

[LauraB78]

Tucks pads help! Don't be embarrassed. It's all part of pregnancy (for some). I have 1 child, and he is almost 2.5 and I still get them. They started while I was pregnant, and "flare up" every so often. It is uncomfortable, but treatable. I am not sure if preperation H is safe while pregnant ( I am fairly certian it is) but call the pharmacist or your Dr. and ask, You shouldn't suffer! You can get relief. Hang in there and have a nice weekend away! ;)

[chantal21]

Awww Nicole, don't be embarrassed, it's seriously a part of pregnancy and nothing to be ashamed of. Although, I agree with you that it's scary and gross at the same time. I didn't have any until this pregnancy. Got through 2 pregnancies with nothing, and now my third gave me one. Thankfully mine doesn't hurt and only swells when I am constipated....talk about TMI!!!! lol Mine even bled for a week, it seriously looked like I had my period a few times. GROSS!!!! My midwife told me if it ever hurts or is bothering me, she would take a look at it and let me know what I should do. Thankfully, it hasn't been too bad lately. I use tucks pads if it starts bothering me, but for the most part it has remained under control.
TMI again, but I also suffer from a fissure as well and have just been dealing with that my whole life and now this! It's frustrating. If the hemorrhoid doesn't go away after I give birth, I am going to see what my options are. It's just annoying me right now but doesn't hurt.

Try the tucks. And try to just enjoy your getaway!! I would do anything to get away, heck just to get out of this bed for a while!! haha