Preventing Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy & Birth // Bonus-Chia Seed Pudding Recipe
There are 3 main fears commonly associated with your bottom during pregnancy:
1. Pooping.
You probably will. You can read about it here:
2. Tearing.
I'm hoping you don't. Learn how to prevent a tear here:
3. Hemorrhoids.
Ahh, We have arrived.
Yep, we're going there. because Hemorrhoids suck.
Finding a hemorrhoid for the first time can leave you feeling a little, em, "WHAT THE HECK." Unfortunately, it's rather common during pregnancy.
A few things contribute to this:
Your blood volume and womb both increase in size during pregnancy, and this puts the added pressure on your veins.. thus, causing them to swell.
Progesterone, your magnificent hormone responsible for maintaining your pregnancy and preparing your breasts for (yet holding off) lactation, relaxes the vein walls- allowing for extra swelling.
During your 3rd trimester, your womb -heavy from the weight of your baby and amniotic fluids- puts added pressure on these poor, already swollen veins and causes them to finally bulge.
Some women might see them all throughout pregnancy, some might see them only after birthing and some might not see any at all! Diet and exercise play a roll in all things pregnancy related, but they can especially play a part here! Here are some preventative measures you can take to help lesson the occurrence and/or severity of hemmies:
Get your move on! Walking, swimming, prenatal yoga. Whatever you enjoy, movement can make a difference!
Eating healthy meals, rich in both fiber and nutrients. Have you tried Chia seed pudding yet? I’ll put a recipe below!
Drinking plenty of water and other low-sugar liquids. Think warm lemon water, raspberry tea, broth-based soups!
Taking probiotics to help with digestion. (Probiotics also play a huge roll in your immune system-which is largely affected by your gut!)
Making sure any iron supplements you’re taking are whole food/gentle forms of iron. (Dark leafy greens have tons of iron, and citrus helps you absorb the iron even better.)
Minimize straining, especially while pooping. A squatty potty is a great option if you find yourself needing a little help in the bathroom.
If you chronically find yourself having hemorrhoids, it may be a good idea to look into acupuncture!
If you do find yourself with bum buddies, here are some natural treatment ideas:
Warm Sitz baths- You can add different herbs (think: herbs like witch hazel bark, white oak bark, yarrow, calendula and plantain…or grab a pack of our Yoni Steaming Herbs!) to help soothe and heal! These are especially great after birth if there was any minor tearing.
Using a peri-bottle to rinse off instead of using toilet paper to wipe. You can fill your bottle with a tea made from the same herbs used for the sitz bath.
Witch Hazel wipes and sprays. You can find witch hazel wipes at most grocery stores. When using witch hazel to make a spray, be sure to find an alcohol-free one.
You can apply coconut oil like an ointment. It’s both antibacterial and antifungal and can help with the dreaded itch. Coconut oil will start off solid and melt with the warmth of your hands.
You can make aloe suppositories (a favorite of my postpartum mothers!) by peeling, cutting and freezing small pieces of fresh aloe. Locally, I usually find aloe at Publix, but some farmers markets will have them.
At any point, but especially during the 2nd (birthing) stage of labor, ice packs can be applied to slightly numb and reduce the swelling of hemorrhoids.
You can make an ointment or salve using yarrow and plantain. These herbs will help reduce pain and swelling.
If all else fails, Earth Mama’s Perineal Balm and Bottom Spray are SO LOVELY. You can store them in the fridge for an extra cooling effect.
It’s important to be aware that hemorrhoids tend to seem worse around 3 days postpartum. This is due to your womb contracting back down in size. Keep doing what you’re doing to help soothe and treat the hemorrhoids and know that they WILL in fact get better!
Basic Chia Seed Pudding (extra thick version!)
1 cup full-fat coconut milk
1 cup almond milk
2 tbsp maple syrup or dates to sweeten. (Dates are great during the final weeks of pregnancy!)
Pinch of sea salt
1/2 cup chia seeds
1 tsp vanilla extract
Favorite Add-Ins:
a handful of spinach (or chard) for added greens
almond butter, cocoa powder and bananas
peanut butter and berries
1 tsp matcha powder
lemon, blueberries and coconut
mango, pineapple and banana
your favorite fruit toppings!
Combine all of your ingredients except the chia seeds. Blend until well combined and taste for sweetness. Add your chia seeds and pulse the mixture for a few seconds every minute or so for 5 minutes or until thickened. Scrape into a bowl or jar and store in the fridge for 4 hours before enjoying!
This recipe produces a nice, thick, spoon-able pudding. If this mixture is too thick for your liking, simply add some more almond milk. Enjoy!
Chia seeds are full of fiber, healthy fats, protein, antioxidants, magnesium, calcium and iron. They are thought to help stabilize blood sugar and lower inflammation, and are well prized for providing sustained energy. In fact, “chia” is derived from the ancient Mayan word for strength.
This recipe is perfect for on-the-go snacks for the whole family!