7 Tips for Treating Hemorrhoids (before and after birth)

An unfortunate reality of pregnancy is that all that baby weight pushing down upon our organs can cause discomfort down there. I usually experience hemorrhoids postpartum, but for some moms, it can begin during the second or third trimesters. These nasty little things are actually related to varicose veins (another pregnancy problem!). Here are my tips for treating hemorrhoids (either before or after you give birth).

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1 — eat and drink well

Try to keep your bowel movements soft and regular by drinking lots of water and eating well. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains all help. Doula Lori Bregman also recommends drinking prune juice with flaxseeds and taking 1 tbsp of coconut oil before bed to help soften stools.

2 — grab an over-the-counter remedy

Hemoclin is an over-the-counter remedy available at most pharmacies and drug stores as well as online (because really, who wants to be seen picking it up in the store?). This clear water-based gel delivers no pain, no mess, and no stains. It provides cooling relief from anal discomforts (yes, I can confirm this statement).

3 — try witch hazel pads

Witch hazel has astringent and cooling properties. Soak several cotton pads with witch hazel and apply to your hemorrhoids several times daily. For added comfort, chill the pads in the freezer before applying them. Bregman also recommends adding a few drops of vitamin E oil to your pads. You can also buy Tucks, which are pre-made witch hazel pads, as most pharmacies.

4 — make an essential oil compress

Essential Oils recommends a soothing cypress compress for hemorrhoids. The authors explain, “Cypress essential oil has a toning effect on the veins… Here it is combined with detoxifying lemon and geranium essential oils, and juniper essential oil, which has an astringent action that is helpful for shrinking … hemorrhoids.”

To make this compress, add 3 drops each of cypress, lemon and juniper essential oils with 1 drop of geranium essential oil to 2 tsp of sunflower oil, then add to a bowl full of cold water. Soak a wash cloth in the water, squeeze out, and sit on the compress for 10 minutes.

5 — take a sitz bath

Keeping your perineal area clean after childbirth is very important and can help with managing hemorrhoids. A soak in warm water once or twice a day can help with discomfort down there. Bregman recommends adding 1/4 cup witch hazel and 1/2 cup sea salt, as well as a few drops of lavender, to your bath.

Need some essential oils? Check out Simply Earth’s awesome monthly subscription box, in which you’ll get a few oils and a recipe for creating your own products with your oils. Stock up on oils for treating hemorrhoids and other health problems too!

6 — apply baking soda to hemorrhoids

Baking soda can help reduce itching. Add some to your bath, or apply wet or dry directly to your hemorrhoids.

7 — get moving

Changing position can also help with hemorrhoids by improving your circulation. Avoid long periods of sitting or standing (which can also contribute to back aches). Try to move about or vary your positions. Exercise isn’t my favourite thing to do either either eight months pregnant or immediately postpartum, but even a small workout can help with hemorrhoids and other problems. Bregman recommends several gentle exercises specifically for hemorrhoids.

Have you suffered from hemorrhoids, either before or after giving birth? What helped you?

Love this post? It’s one of 38 chapters in Beginner’s Guide to Growing Baby: Tips to Help You Through All Four Trimesters, a book about pregnancy, birth, and baby’s first three months. Written with my good friend Anna Eastland (mom of 9 kids!), Beginner’s Guide to Growing Baby is an honest, practical look at pregnancy and beyond. We share what’s worked for us in growing, birthing and loving thirteen babies.

Beginner’s Guide to Growing Baby is available on Amazon.