Blood in stool (may not be hemorrhoids) - TMI

[Anonymous]

First, I apologize for the TMI! I just had a BM with a decent amount of blood in it. I don't think it's from hemorrhoids - I've had them with pregnancy and before pregnancy, and this was more blood than I've seen before. I have been eating more than my usual amount of fiber in the last two days for constipation and I drink a ton of water. I've been on bed rest for about three weeks.

I'm not concerned about the discomfort/alarm factor or about hemorrhoids, but I'm wondering if anyone knows if this is an indicator of a more serious pregnancy-related problem? I have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday, so if it's nothing to worry about I'll just mention it then. I can't seem to find any information about this online that's not related to hemorrhoids.

Thanks in advance, and apologies again for the TMI!

[Anonymous]

If you have been on bedrest, call your OB about this, just to be safe. Your circulation will have slowed down and it is probably just internal hemorrhoids.

Are you sure it came from the stool? If so, if it is bright red--it's most likely from an internal hemorrhoid. Blood in stool that is cause for concern (even when you are not pregnant) is very dark---it is blood that has traveled with the stool through your colon.

It's worth a call to your OB (I know how embarrassing these things can be--I had to make a similar call recently and of course, the male OB was on call.....), especially since you were on bed rest. If nothing else, it will put your mind at ease.

[Anonymous]

I agree w/ PP, it's totally worth calling.

[Anonymous]

The color distinction a PP mentioned is terribly important. If it is dark red/black, you need to investigate quickly....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The color distinction a PP mentioned is terribly important. If it is dark red/black, you need to investigate quickly....

Agreed. Bright red, and it's highly likely hemorrhoids...

[Anonymous]

OP here - thank you for the recommendations. It was bright red, so it sounds like it's probably just more severe internal hemorrhoids than I'm used to. I'll give my doc a call just be safe. Thank you again!