Novel device aims to ease one painful side effect of childbirth

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During childbirth, prolonged labor and increased pressure on the anus can cause unpleasant surprises, such as hemorrhoids. But a new device, the first of its kind, aims to prevent that during vaginal childbirth.

The Hem-Avert Perianal Stabilizer just received US FDA approval late last month and was developed by David Blurton, the company's CEO, after seeing his wife go through childbirth.

The Hem-Avert Perianal Stabilizer is made of medical grade polycarbonate with a cushioned pad at its center, and is applied externally and noninvasively to support the anal and perianal region during labor.

Clinical trials saw that the innovative device helped all women avoid hemorrhoids, compared to 25 percent of women in the control group who developed hemorrhoids during vaginal childbirth.

How to heal postpartum hemorrhoids? Parenting website Babycenter.com recommends the following:

• Apply an ice pack to the affected area several times a day to decrease swelling and discomfort.
• Soak your bottom in warm water, in a tub or a sitz bath. A sitz bath is small plastic basin filled with water and positioned over your toilet, allowing you to submerge your rectal area when you sit down.
• After each bowel movement, gently clean the affected area, using a plastic squirt bottle.
• If you do use toilet tissue, buy soft, white, unscented tissues, which tend to cause less irritation than scented or dyed varieties. (If you have stitches in the rectal area, be sure to discuss aftercare with your practitioner.)
• Ask your doctor to recommend a safe topical anesthetic or medicated suppository.

New moms can also take acetaminophen or ibuprofen, even if you're breastfeeding, according to Babycenter.com. However, do not take aspirin or products containing aspirin if you're nursing.

Find out more about treatment: http://www.babycenter.com/0_postpartum-hemorrhoids_11708.bc?page=1

Read more about the new device: http://www.hem-avert.com/