Right about where an external hemorroid would be, I have a bit of swelling and bleeding, and it stings bad enough that I have given up on sitting down :? . I'm either on my feet or lying down, which is getting tiring since Benjamin is nursing so much (thank God for baby carriers!). DH is worried about it, thinks I should see a dr. What have been your experiences? What advice would you offer?

I had those after delivering my little boy...used tucks whenever I wiped...whether I'd gone (number 2) or not....just blotted the area well with the wipe each time to keep the anti-inflamatory working...also used prep H cream daily for about two weeks....after about a month of that, they were gone and no more probs...if they persist after self-treating for a couple of weeks to where they're not getting any better....then I'd see a Doc, but I'd try the home stuff first! Good luck! No fun!

I had them for 5 months after having Abby and I never had her naturally :? I used lots of preperation H which would solve it temporarily and then I went to the doc and got some laxitive (sp?) to see if that would clear it up but the stuff tasted gross so I never took it. In the end I prayed like crazy about it and it just cleared up and I haven't been bothered with it since. So maybe just see the doc or just pray, which I'm sure you've already done. Hemorroids are no fun, so a huge hug to you.

Thanks. :) My friend who has 5 grown children also said to treat it at home and wait. I (and DH) feel better (emotionally :wink: ) about it now.

Also...my doc had me get the generic over the counter stool softeners (NOT laxatives!) and use them for about a month....after a couple of days it kept things coming easily without cramps or the runs and reduced all straining though which makes them aggravated and harder to get rid of!

I had the "joys" of an internal one after having Dainyah. I knew when I was pushing that I was getting one and said so in the delivery room. I don't think anyone took me seriously.

It hurt like never before to go after we got home (didn't help that I couldn't go for a week after she was born....) and bled too. There were a few times I did let out a gasp and a scream while on the throne.

I told my midwife about it at my follow up appt. She gave me a sample of gel that you insert and a script for it. I dropped the script off and went back for it and of course they didn't have any (after being told it would take only 20 min. to fill) and since it was a Friday, the earliest they could get any was on Monday, probably Tuesday. Well, I go home and Hubby and I read the package insert on it, and it was a class C drug for pregnancy and b/f. I was like, ok, this is just a comfort issue, not a life and death one for me, since this stuff is unproven as to whether or not it is transferred to baby, forget it (it was the lidocaine in the gel and the hydrocortisone). I cancelled the script at the store (they did offer to call it in elsewhere, but I still didn't feel like driving much at that point) and took to drinking tons of water. That helped keep things looser so it didn't hurt as bad. It has been clearing up on it's own now. Haven't had a prob with Juan (ok, so I was bored, was tired of having it and so I named it...I probably should be committed....) in about two weeks now. I kept the sample if it pops up again and gets unbearable.

Drink as much water as you can. That will help loosen you up along with a stool softener (if you go that route). Tucks pads are wonderful. They gave me those in the hospital to keep the inflamation down with all my stitches. If you have any witch hazel, soak a cotton pad and wipe down with that. Witch hazel is one of the main ingredients in Tucks, and is much cheaper.

Hope you can sit down and soon. Have you tried a frozen bag of peas to sit on? Might relive it a bit for you.

Sounds a little bit like what I had...if it's just swelling and sore...I wouldn't be too worried about it. At the hospital where we had Maddy they gave me this thing, almost like a squirt bottle...when I'd go to the bathroom, I'd squirt that on me to clean up, and then dab rather than wipe...'cause I learned the hard way about that! Do you have a boppy? I used mine the first two weeks for sitting on when I wasn't nursing, 'cause it KILLED me to sit...but sitting on the boppy eased the pain quite a bit as far as sitting goes. If you don't have one, I wouldn't strongly suggest getting one...I've used it for so many things...it's beyond helpful with breastfeeding...as well as sitting..but yeah. I hope that you feel better! Welcome to being a new mommy! :)

DH bought me one of those donut-shaped inflatable pillows yesterday, and I can finally sit down! :D Also started using witch hazel, which seems to be providing relief.

Haven't had a problem going #2, though, thank goodness! It must be just enough out of the way...

Thanks for all your input, ladies. :)