The idea that hemorrhoids accompany pregnancy is a bit of medical wisdom that often gets provided to patients, and it is true, but there aren't often many explanations as to why this should be?

What about pregnancy leads to the development of hemorrhoids, anyway?

Well, first is that any excessive, chronic abdominal pressure creates conditions ripe for hemorrhoids. Any time that abdominal pressure increases the volume of the anal veins, those veins might get stretched beyond their capacity and develop into hemorrhoids.

In addition to that basic cause of hemorrhoids, pregnant women gain about two pounds of blood during pregnancy itself in order to supply enough blood to both mother and child. However, while the volume of blood has gone up, pregnant women don't miraculously get longer blood vessels to go along with it. A higher amount of liquid in the same amount of space leads to higher blood pressure, thus further increasing the chances of developing hemorrhoids.

As if that weren't enough, pregnancy causes the loosening of joints and ligaments. This is actually a good thing, as without this, the pelvic girdle would not be able to flex far enough to allow the child's head through safely. However, because this is a body-wide effect and not localized to the hips, the ligaments supporting anal veins get looser along with everything else. Without ligament support, anal veins are more likely to stretch beyond capacity and become hemorrhoids.

Along with pregnancy comes childbirth, which is practically guaranteed to cause hemorrhoids if nothing else managed to first. Natural childbirth puts an immense amount of strain on every muscle, ligament, and blood vessel in the area, and all of that strain is focused out and down. However, the good news is that the vast majority of pregnancy induced hemorrhoids resolve on their own in the months directly after childbirth.

So, now you know.

In addition to a healthy diet, plenty of water and sufficient light exercise, you can also lay on your right side, which takes the weight of your developing child off of the major veins, and carefully monitor your salt intake as high sodium increases both water retention and blood pressure.

Symptom relief is probably your best bet, as if you're going to get hemorrhoids during pregnancy, there's not much that can be done until pregnancy's over.

However, talk to your family doctor and your obstetrician. Both may be able to give further advice or medications to reduce your symptoms and allow you to get on with life.