Looking for home remedies and treatment for piles after delivery or postpartum, you’ve come to the right place. One of the most common problems faced by pregnant women, and moms after delivery who had a normal vaginal delivery is Piles! Piles, medically known as hemorrhoids, symptoms are painful, soft lumps that develop in the rectum and around the anus. It can cause severe pain, itching, burning sensation and bleeding also.
What are Piles/Hemorrhoids?
Piles are swollen or inflamed veins in the rectum and around the anus. There are 2 types of piles – Internal and External.
External Piles are the small lumps in the anal region. It is usually painful, itchy and causes bleeding also.
Causes & Why Pregnant Women get Piles ?
During pregnancy, the size of the uterus increases and also, the volume of blood supplied to the uterus also increases. This puts more pressure around the anus and causes swelling. Also, if you are suffering from constipation during pregnancy, you are more likely to get piles.
The pregnancy hormones cause your digestive system to slow down. This causes the food to pass slowly in the intestines, and also passing stools may become difficult, resulting in constipation. Putting more pressure to pass stools can result in inflammation of the veins in the rectal and anal region, and cause piles.
Also, consuming prenatal vitamins with synthetic iron can cause constipation which can cause piles to develop.
Causes & Why Women get Piles after Delivery?
If you had a normal vaginal delivery, during labor you would have strained to push your baby out. This is very similar to straining to have a bowel movement. The continuous strain during labor can cause the veins around your rectum and anus to swell resulting in piles.
Is Piles Curable?
Yes. Most hemorrhoids or piles resolve on its own. However, you can try the below home remedies to get relief from pain, itching and burning sensation.
7 Home Remedies & Cure for Piles after Delivery
#1. Apply Coconut Oil
It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties which can reduce itching. It also reduces inflammation and helps in healing of the hemorrhoids.
#2. Apply Aloe Vera
Applying aloe vera either as a ready-to-use gel or directly from the plant helps in reducing the burning sensation. If you are using a gel, ensure that it does not contain added fragrances and chemicals.
#3. Witch Hazel Compress
Soak a pad in witch hazel, freeze and apply to the affected area. You can also use a witch hazel cream for immediate relief.
#4. Turmeric
Turmeric is an antibiotic and healing agent. Take a small amount of turmeric along with mustard oil. Add onion juice to it and make a paste out of it. Apply to the affected area. This not only reduces inflammation for immediate relief but also helps in healing.
#5. Apple Cider Vinegar Sitz Bath
Add a spoonful of Apple Cider Vinegar to a Sitz bath and soak yourself for an hour.
#6. Goat’s Milk
This remedy is useful if you have internal piles. Take 10 gm of ground mustard and add 10 big spoons of goat milk. Drink this mixture before breakfast every day. This reduces inflammation and controls bleeding.
#7. Camphor and Castor Oil
Boil 100 gm of castor oil on high flame for few minutes. Put 1 camphor into it. Allow the mixture to cool completely. Store this mixture in an airtight container. Clean your piles with clean cloth first and massage it with this oil twice a day. Massage it until the piles absorb this oil. This will give immediate relief from burning sensation and make the soft lumps of piles go dry.
What Measures can be taken to Prevent Piles?
Though piles tend to resolve on their own and many home remedies are available, it is better to take precaution to avoid the growth of piles.
- Choose a plant-based vitamin – Choose a prenatal vitamin which is plant-based, as they are more absorbable and don’t cause constipation.
- Eat a healthy diet with fiber – Eat whole fruits and vegetables to get enough fiber in your diet. Eat healthy fats such as ghee, coconut oil etc. to keep your bowel lubricated.
- Use Indian-style toilet – Yes, squatting is the natural way to poop. Sitting to poop puts a lot of pressure on the rectum, making you strain more. So, use Indian-style toilets where you can squat and poop.
- Consume probiotics – Probiotics help to keep everything functioning and flowing in the digestive system. Consume it as a supplement or from naturally fermented foods such as yogurt.
Dear Mommies, piles can be really painful and sometimes, embarrassing also. However, with the home remedies suggested above, you can get relief from piles. However, if the bleeding from your piles is more than a drop of blood, and the pain does not reduce with home remedies, talk to your doctor immediately.