The Role of Exercise in Preventing Piles During Pregnancy

Exercise plays a crucial role in preventing piles, also known as hemorrhoids, among pregnant women.

There are different exercises to prevent inflamed veins that are in or around the anus. Additionally, regular exercise improves pregnant women’s digestive system and helps them pass their stools easily [1].

Beneficial exercises to prevent piles

Deep breathing:

When you breathe deeply, it helps ease Pelvic floor dysfunction and aids in relaxation. To do this, you need to sit upright and put your hands above your waist on both sides of your lower rib cage.

After that, you deeply breathe through your abdomen, which expands your belly fully. Then, slowly exhale by moving your navel towards your spine. Continue doing this exercise for five minutes.

Pelvic floor contraction:

This is a Kegel exercise, also known as pelvic floor exercise, which is easy to perform. This exercise helps strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and allows you to pass stools much more easily, as it relaxes your anal sphincter, a ring-like muscle. It also discourages painful straining [2].

After that, begin to lie on your back and contract your anal muscles, mimicking yourself passing gas. Let them contract for 5 seconds and let go of it for 10 seconds. This process should be repeated 5 times, using only part of your strength. Perform this exercise up to 4 times throughout the day.

Bound Angle Posture:

This posture strengthens and boosts flexibility in your inner thighs, knees, and groin. It also helps excite your abdominal organs and calms digestive discomfort.

Begin by sitting with your sitting bones on a cushion; place the soles of both your feet together while your knees should be out wide; as you stretch your spine, intertwine your fingers around your pinky toes, staying in this pose for up to a minute.

Child’s Posture:

This is an easy exercise that encourages better circulation around your anus, easing constipation. It allows relaxation of your lower back and hips.

Rest on your knees and lay down on a mat. Place your hands on the lower part of your abdomen to intensify pressure on this area. Begin this exercise by extending your hands forward, facing your head, and extending your arms as far as possible. Relax in this pose for up to 5 minutes.

Wind-Relieving Posture:

This pose pressurizes your abdomen, helping improve your digestive comfort. It also helps in relaxing the muscles in your buttocks, anus, and abdomen. To expand the stretch, raise your head and put your chin on your chest.

Lie on your back, bend both knees, pull them toward your chest, and position your hands around your shins, clasping your hands. Hold this position for up to a minute.

Legs Up-the-Wall Posture:

This pose improves circulation to your anus while reducing considerably uneasiness and irritation.
Sit with your right side next to a wall, raise your legs on the wall, and lie down on your back. Then, place your arms in any comfortable position and hold this pose for up to 15 minutes.

If you are pregnant and want to avoid piles, do not hesitate to contact Vitality’s Laser Piles Clinic.

References

1. NHS services – https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/piles/.
2. Cleveland Clinic. – https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23498-pregnancy-hemorrhoids.