As scary as it may be, rectal bleeding is actually quite normal after a delivering your child and it is usually caused by haemorrhoids. These swollen veins in the anal area can be ruptured when you strain to go to the toilet, or when you pass hard stools, and usually, that accounts for the bleeding.
Hard stools can also cause cracking of the skin around the anus, called anal fissures, and it is not uncommon for those cracks to bleed from time to time. One of the main reasons that both of these problems occur is that the bowel is naturally more sluggish after childbirth, and that can lead to constipation. Preventing constipation is therefore the easiest way of preventing other problems that cause anal bleeding, and there are several ways to do this:
Eat lots of fibre rich foods, which will promote healthy digestion.
Drink lots of water and clear liquids to prevent dehydration. Dehydration is a major cause of constipation, as the stools in the intestine dry out.
Get some moderate exercise. The increased movement and blood flow can help to speed up a sluggish bowel.
Do not avoid going to the toilet, even if it is painful or uncomfortable. Eventually, you will have to, and it will only be worse later on.
Finally, speak to your doctor about a safe over the counter stool softener.
When it comes to treatment for haemorrhoids and anal fissures, there are several things you can try.
Try taking sitz baths or warm baths with salt in them. Use witch hazel to soothe and shrink haemorrhoids, or get a safe topical anaesthetic from your doctor or pharmacy.
Use soft toilet tissue, or use witch hazel wipes instead. A painkiller, like ibuprofen or paracetamol can help too, but if you are breastfeeding, do not take aspirin.
