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It is important to know that your posture, whether good or bad, affects the pressure, blood circulation, and comfort in your lower body, helping you prevent haemorrhoids.
Let's look at how your sitting habits impact your health, and easy ways to sit, stand, and move better to sidestep those annoying haemorrhoids during pregnancy.
What Causes Haemorrhoids During Pregnancy?
Before moving forward, let's comprehend what causes haemorrhoids during pregnancy.- Your growing baby bump pressurises the blood vessels in your pelvis, especially around the rectal area, as labour approaches. This can make those blood vessels swell up, resulting in haemorrhoids.
- Pregnancy hormones can slow down your digestion, and iron supplements can aggravate it. So, when you’ve constipation and strain during passing stools, that puts even more pressure on those veins.
- Long sitting hours, slouching, or using an inappropriate chair can enhance strain on your pelvic region. This causes inflammation in the blood vessels by inhibiting blood flow.
- Lack of movement can hamper the blood circulation in your body. This can cause swelling in your legs and veins, leading to haemorrhoids.
How Sitting & Posture Can Cause Haemorrhoids?
You might be surprised how your postures, especially sitting positions, impact your body during childbirth. Here's how poor postures introduce haemorrhoids:- Slouching on beds or sofas: When you slump or lean back too far, your pelvis tilts backwards. This adds extra stress on your lower body, exactly where haemorrhoids develop.
- Leg crossing: Crossing your legs might feel good, but it slows down blood flow and adds stress to the veins in your lower body.
- Sitting for too long: Whether you’re at home or at work, sitting all day slows blood flow and adds stress to your pelvic area, especially if you’re not sitting right.
- Using cushions or low chairs: Very soft or low sitting makes your hips drop below your knees, which strains your lower back, and adds stress to your pelvis.
Why are Ideal Postures Beneficial?
- Sitting erect enhances the flow of blood in your body, particularly in your legs as well as feet, averting inflammation or vein issues.
- Also, an ideal posture spreads your weight evenly, hence you’re not overstraining your lower veins.
- Sitting erect also promotes your gut health, preventing constipation, which is a major cause of haemorrhoids.
- Proper posture also means less strain on your back and hips, so you just feel better.
What is the Ideal Sitting Position During Childbirth?
Here's how you can sit properly to avoid haemorrhoids and protect your health:Pick the Right Chair
- Use a firm chair with a straight back
- Don’t go for too soft or too deep sofas
- Keep your shoulders relaxed and back straight
- For support, add a small pillow behind your lower back
Feet Flat, Hips Higher
- Touch both your feet flat on the floor
- Don’t cross or dangle your legs
- If needed, use a footrest to lift your knees a bit
- To ease strain, raise your hips slightly higher than your knees
Don’t Sit for Hours
- Practice a regular walk for 5 minutes after every half an hour of interval
- Move around and expand your legs to improve blood flow
Get a Pregnancy Cushion
- Pressure can be relieved on the rectal area by a pregnancy seat cushion or doughnut-shaped pillow.
- Avoid sitting directly on hard surfaces
How to Stand & Move with Ideal Posture?
Posture is about more than just sitting; walking and standing matter too.Stand Tall
- Keep your shoulders loosened and your back straight
Don’t lean back
- Keep your chin up and belly tucked in slightly
Evenly Distribute Weight
- Don't shift all your weight on one leg
- While standing, keep your feet hip-width apart
Avoid Prolonged Standing
If you have to stand for a while, try putting one foot on a stool for some moments and then switch. This reduces strain on your pelvic region and lower back.When to Consult a Doctor?
Sometimes, even practising the best habits can't prevent haemorrhoids. Here's when you should consult a doctor:- If you encounter bleeding during passing stool
- If the pain or swelling becomes intense
- If things don’t get better with home remedies after a few days
Pregnancy changes your body in many ways, and you can expect certain discomforts. But haemorrhoids don't have to be one of them. By simply changing your standing or sitting postures, you can prevent haemorrhoids.
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FAQs on Why Proper Sitting and Posture During Pregnancy Can Prevent Haemorrhoids
- Can sitting on the floor cause haemorrhoids during pregnancy?
Sitting on the floor for too long, especially in a slouched or cross-legged position, can increase pressure on your pelvic region. Sit with your back straight and hips supported by a cushion while sitting on the floor. - Can I sit on a soft sofa during childbirth?
Very soft sofas may fail to support your back or hips properly. If you have to use one, add firm pillows to support your back and hips to maintain a proper posture. - Are haemorrhoids dangerous during pregnancy?
Haemorrhoids are not usually life-threatening yet they may be extremely uncomfortable. In case they get enlarged, or cause bleeding or pain, talk to your doctor on how to treat them safely.