Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy and After Childbirth: What Is Safe?
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Up to half of pregnant women develop hemorrhoids, most often in the third trimester and in the first weeks after birth. If that is you right now, it is not a sign you did anything wrong — it is simple biology, and it usually improves. The tricky part is knowing what is genuinely safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding.
The short version: lean on the drug-free basics (fibre, water, sitz baths, movement, no long toilet sits), prefer gentle fragrance-free products, and clear anything you apply with your doctor or midwife first. Most cases fade within a few weeks of birth.
Why pregnancy brings them on
Three things line up at once. The growing uterus presses on the pelvic veins and slows the blood returning from the area. Pregnancy hormones relax vein walls, so they swell more easily. And constipation — very common in pregnancy — adds straining on top. After a vaginal birth, the pushing stage can bring them out too.
What is safe during pregnancy
The golden rule: anything you put on or in your body during pregnancy, run past your doctor or midwife — even the gentlest-looking cream. The general guidance specialists give:
- Prefer natural, fragrance-free formulas. The risk is never exactly zero, but the fewer harsh ingredients, the better.
- Be cautious with corticosteroids. Use them only if a doctor approves, and only briefly.
- Cool-water sitz baths are completely safe and often bring the quickest relief.
What helps with no medication at all
This is where you can do a lot, safely:
- Fibre and plenty of water to keep stools soft — the biggest lever of all.
- Resting on your left side to take pressure off the main vein returning blood from the pelvis.
- Short, regular walks to keep things moving.
- No long sitting on the toilet, and no straining.
After birth
Most postnatal hemorrhoids improve on their own within a few weeks as pressure and hormones return to normal. Gentle care simply speeds it up and keeps you comfortable while you have your hands full. If you are breastfeeding, the same rule applies — check any product with your doctor first.
Our honest stance
HEM · Derma Calm is natural-origin and fragrance-free. That is exactly why our advice here is the same one we give everywhere: show the ingredient list to your doctor and make the decision together. A brand that tells a pregnant woman to "use it freely" without that caveat is not being honest with you.
Frequently asked questions
Will they go away after the baby is born?
Usually yes — most fade within a few weeks postpartum. If they persist beyond that, mention it at a check-up.
Is it safe to use a cream while breastfeeding?
Many gentle topical creams are, but it depends on the ingredients — confirm with your doctor or midwife before using anything.
Recommended cream: HEM · Derma Calm
Formulated for hemorrhoid discomfort: calendula, hyaluronic acid and lactobacilli soothe and balance the delicate area.
€38.90 / 50 ml · natural origin · fragrance-free · discreet delivery
See the HEM · Derma Calm cream →
See all three AnoCare creams →
This article is informational and does not replace medical advice. For severe, persistent or worsening symptoms, see a specialist.
