Summarize the following:
Your body just went through a lot of changes during and immediately following pregnancy. These physical, mental, and emotional changes can all cause strain. Your body is recovering from carrying a heavy growing fetus and your digestive system is recovering from the physical changes of pregnancy. These can increase the chance of constipation which aggravates hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids after pregnancy and delivery are commonly caused by pushing during labor. You may notice blood on the toilet paper or in the toilet after having a bowel movement. This is the most common symptom. Hemorrhoids can also be itchy and painful. You may feel an external hemorrhoid when cleaning yourself. It will be a tender swelling around the anal opening. You won't usually feel internal hemorrhoids, but they can bulge through the anal opening. If your hemorrhoid is larger than the size of a quarter, seek medical attention as this could signal a more serious condition. A physician can diagnose internal or external hemorrhoids by performing a rectal exam. If rectal bleeding is not caused by a hemorrhoid, your doctor will probably recommend a more extensive test called a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy because one of the symptoms of colon cancer is rectal bleeding. Stand with your back facing a large floor length or bathroom mirror. Bend over slightly while turning your head to face the mirror. Look closely at your anus to see if there are any lumps or if there's a swollen mass. These may be hemorrhoids. Alternatively, you can sit with your legs open and use a lighted mirror to look for hemorrhoids. The lumps or mass may be the same color as your skin tone or they might appear darker red. If you're using home treatments, hemorrhoids will usually resolve within a week or two. If they don't, call your doctor or midwife. Occasionally for external hemorrhoids and more often for internal hemorrhoids, you may still need medical intervention. The most common medical treatments are: Ligation: tying a rubber band around the base of the hemorrhoid to cut off blood flow Injection of a chemical solution: to shrink the hemorrhoid Cauterization: burning the hemorrhoid Hemorrhoidectomy: surgical removal of the hemorrhoid
Be prepared for hemorrhoids after pregnancy. Recognize external hemorrhoids. Look for external hemorrhoids. Know when to get medical attention.