Haemorrhoids in Pregnancy: When to Seek Support

Q: Are haemorrhoids during pregnancy normal?

Yes, they are common in pregnancy. Hormonal shifts, more blood in your body, and your growing uterus all put extra pressure on the blood vessels around your anus, which makes them more likely to swell. They tend to be particularly common from the second trimester onwards. Your midwife and GP see them often, so do not hesitate to raise any concerns.

Q: Will haemorrhoids go away after I give birth?

In many cases, haemorrhoids that develop during pregnancy ease after your baby is born. This is a common pattern, though it is not guaranteed. If your symptoms carry on after birth, your GP can talk you through next steps.

Q: Can I use haemorrhoid cream when pregnant?

Some creams are used during pregnancy to ease symptoms, though no over-the-counter haemorrhoid cream is specifically licensed for pregnancy. It is worth speaking to your GP, midwife, or pharmacist before using anything. As a general guide, products without corticosteroids or local anaesthetics carry a lower potential risk, but professional advice matters before you use anything.

Q: What foods help with haemorrhoids during pregnancy?

Plenty of fibre, from fruit, vegetables, and wholegrains, helps keep your stools soft and cuts down on straining. Drink plenty of fluids alongside any increase in fibre. Build up the fibre gradually rather than all at once, since a sudden jump can cause bloating or discomfort. If you are unsure what is right for you, your midwife or GP can advise.

Q: When should I see a doctor about haemorrhoids in pregnancy?

Speak to your GP or midwife if your symptoms are not easing with self-care, are getting worse, or keep coming back. Always get any bleeding from your bottom checked during pregnancy to rule out other causes. Get urgent advice from your GP or NHS 111 if you develop a high temperature, feel shivery, or notice pus. Go to A&E if you are in severe pain or have bleeding that will not stop.

A tired stressed pregnant woman resting at home.

Bloume content relating to health, wellbeing and nutrition has been reviewed and validated by relevant medical professionals in the UK, based on UK guidelines and practices applicable at the time of publication. Recommendations in other localities may differ from those found on our site and you should always seek the guidance or advice of relevant healthcare professionals in your area.

The itching, soreness, or dull ache around your bottom during pregnancy can be hard to place at first. Haemorrhoids, sometimes called piles, are common in pregnancy, though they rarely get an honest mention in antenatal classes or appointments. You might be quietly putting up with the discomfort rather than raising it with your midwife. It can feel awkward to bring up, but the discomfort is real, and there is plenty you can do about it.

What do haemorrhoids feel like?

You might notice an itchy bottom, soreness, redness, or swelling around the anus. There can be pain too, and a feeling that you still need to go to the toilet even when you have just been.²

You might see bright red blood on the toilet paper or in the bowl after a poo. You may also feel small, soft lumps that hang down outside the anus. These can feel like small peas, and in some cases grow to the size of grapes. Occasionally they need to be gently pushed back inside.³

What helps day to day with haemorrhoids in pregnancy

Softer stools through fibre and fluids

Softer stools mean less straining, and that is one of the most useful things you can change. Slowly building up the fibre in your diet, from fruit, vegetables, and wholegrains, gives your body more to work with. Drinking plenty of fluids alongside this matters just as much, since fibre works best when you have enough water on board. Adding fibre too quickly without the fluid to match can make things feel worse instead of better.⁵

Easing the strain on the toilet

When you feel the urge to go, go. Holding on tends to lead to more straining later. Once you are on the toilet, resting your feet on a small stool brings your knees above your hips, which puts your body in an easier position for passing a stool. Afterwards, pat the area gently with moist toilet paper rather than rubbing with dry paper, which can aggravate skin that is already sore.⁶

Creams and soothing relief

A pharmacist can point you towards creams that ease the itching and soreness. No over-the-counter haemorrhoid cream is specifically licensed for pregnancy, though some are used routinely. As a general guide, products without corticosteroids or local anaesthetics carry a lower potential risk. It is worth speaking to your GP, midwife, or pharmacist before using anything during pregnancy, since something sold without a prescription is not automatically safe to use right now.⁷

Alongside any cream, a few simple things at home can bring real relief. An ice pack wrapped in a cloth and held against the area can ease swelling and discomfort. A warm bath, or a shallow warm sitz bath, can also help by easing blood flow and relaxing the muscles around your bottom.⁸

What can make symptoms worse?

Try not to sit or stand for long stretches without a break. When you are resting, lying on your side takes pressure off the pelvic area. If you need a painkiller, it is worth avoiding anything with codeine, since codeine slows the gut and can bring on or worsen constipation, which is one of the main things that aggravates haemorrhoids. Your pharmacist or midwife can tell you what is suitable for pain relief during pregnancy.⁹

Why haemorrhoids are so common in pregnancy

Haemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in or around your anus and rectum. During pregnancy, progesterone, the hormone that softens the walls of your blood vessels, makes them more relaxed, and the total volume of blood in your body rises. Together, these make it easier for those vessels to swell.¹⁰

As your uterus grows, it presses more on the blood vessels in your pelvis, and the veins there enlarge further. They tend to become particularly common from the second trimester onwards, though figures vary across studies.¹¹

Constipation feeds into it too. Pregnancy hormones slow digestion, which makes stools harder to pass, and straining on the toilet raises the pressure on the veins around your anus. ¹²

In many cases, haemorrhoids that turn up during pregnancy settle on their own after your baby is born. That is not guaranteed, though it is a common pattern.¹

When to raise it with your midwife or GP

Your midwife and GP see haemorrhoids all the time, so there is no need to feel awkward bringing it up. It is worth speaking to them if your symptoms are not easing with self-care, if they are getting worse, or if they keep coming back. And as above, any bleeding from your bottom during pregnancy is worth getting checked, even when haemorrhoids seem the obvious explanation.¹³

Frequently Asked Questions

Are haemorrhoids during pregnancy normal?

Will haemorrhoids go away after I give birth?

Can I use haemorrhoid cream when pregnant?

What foods help with haemorrhoids during pregnancy?

When should I see a doctor about haemorrhoids in pregnancy?

Sources

[1] Piles (haemorrhoids)

In many cases, haemorrhoids that develop during pregnancy improve after the baby is born.
[2] Piles (haemorrhoids)

Symptoms of haemorrhoids can include an itchy bottom, soreness, redness and swelling around the anus, sometimes pain, and a feeling of still needing to go to the toilet after a poo.
[3] Piles (haemorrhoids)

You might notice bright red blood on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl after a poo. Some people also find small, soft lumps that hang down outside the anus, which can feel like small peas or grow to the size of grapes. Occasionally these lumps need to be gently pushed back inside.
[4] Information for you on piles (haemorrhoids) in pregnancy

Any rectal bleeding during pregnancy should always be checked by your GP or midwife to rule out other causes.
[5] Piles (haemorrhoids)

Gradually increasing fibre intake from fruit, vegetables, and wholegrains helps keep stools soft. Drinking plenty of fluids alongside this is important.
[6] Piles (haemorrhoids)

Avoid straining on the toilet and do not ignore the urge to go. Try raising your feet on a small stool when on the toilet, and pat the area gently with moist toilet paper rather than rubbing with dry paper.
[7] Haemorrhoids: treatment during pregnancy

A pharmacist can point you towards creams that ease itching and soreness. No over-the-counter haemorrhoid preparation is specifically licensed for use in pregnancy, but some are used routinely. Products without corticosteroids or local anaesthetics carry a lower potential risk. Always speak to your GP, midwife, or pharmacist before using any preparation during pregnancy.
[8] Piles (haemorrhoids)

An ice pack wrapped in a cloth and applied to the area can ease swelling and discomfort. A warm bath, or a shallow warm sitz bath, can help by improving blood flow and relaxing the muscles in the area.
[9] Piles (haemorrhoids)

Try not to sit or stand for long stretches without a break. Lying on your side takes pressure off the pelvic area. Avoid painkillers containing codeine, as codeine can cause or worsen constipation.
[10] Haemorrhoids: treatment during pregnancy

Haemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in or around the anus and rectum. The hormone progesterone relaxes the walls of blood vessels during pregnancy, and the total volume of blood in the body increases, both of which make vessels more likely to swell.
[11] Haemorrhoids: treatment during pregnancy

As the uterus grows, it puts increasing pressure on the pelvic blood vessels, causing the veins in that area to enlarge.
[12] Piles (haemorrhoids)

Pregnancy hormones slow digestion, making stools harder to pass. Straining on the toilet raises the pressure on the veins around the anus. The pelvic floor muscles carry extra load throughout pregnancy and are involved in bowel movements.
[13] Piles (haemorrhoids)

Speak to your midwife or GP if your symptoms are not improving with self-care, if they are getting worse, or if you keep experiencing haemorrhoids.
[14] Piles (haemorrhoids)

Seek urgent advice from your GP or call NHS 111 if you develop a high temperature, feel shivery, or notice pus. Go to A&E if you are in severe pain or have bleeding that will not stop.