During your pregnancy, you may notice some rather uncomfortable symptoms that make using the bathroom and even sitting a little uncomfortable. On inspecting your bottom, you may even find some swelling, or perhaps there’s blood when you wipe.

Naturally, you’re left wondering - Is this normal? Do I need to see a doctor? What’s wrong with my bottom?!

Well, the likely answer is that you’ve developed piles, also known as haemorrhoids.

What are piles?

Piles are swellings caused by enlarged blood vessels around the anus or even inside the rectum. Symptoms include:

Itching, aching or soreness around the anus.

A lump that hangs outside the anus.

Bleeding after pooping.

Pain when and after pooping.

A mucus-like discharge after using the bathroom.

Now, piles can affect just about anyone, pregnant or not. However, because certain pregnancy hormones cause veins to relax, piles do often affect pregnant women. That being said, many mothers won’t experience piles during pregnancy. The other good news is that there are steps you can take to ease piles.

So, let’s find out what they are.

How can I ease piles?

The first thing to acknowledge with piles is that they’re often brought on and made worse by constipation. So, it’s important to eat plenty of fibre-rich foods, including fruit and veg and wholemeal bread. Similarly, you’ll want to avoid foods like white bread and pasta. It’s also imperative that you drink lots and lots of water!

You can also try:

Holding a soft ice-cold cloth against the piles to ease the swelling and pain.

Cleaning your anus with moist toilet paper.

Patting the area clean instead of rubbing.

Refraining from standing for too long.

Getting plenty of regular exercise to improve circulation.

Gently pushing piles back into the rectum with lubricant gels if one is sticking out.

It’s also very important that you keep from straining as you’re on the toilet, as this can make piles worse. You can also ask your GP or midwife to prescribe creams or ointments to soothe any pain.

Generally speaking, piles will disappear over time, especially if you’re able to eat plenty of fibre-rich foods, drink lots of water and partake in some daily exercise. If piles become painfully large, you may be offered surgery. However, most doctors won’t recommend surgery whilst pregnant.

Are piles more common in pregnancy?

Unii looks at haemorrhoids (not literally), one of the worst symptoms of pregnancy.