Ok there are alot of references on here to hemerrhoids and how common they are during pregnancy. Help me out. What exactly is a hemorroid, what are the symptoms, at what point during pregnancy did you experienced them and what is the treatment? Thanks.
Fun things to look forward to!!!!

By close I mean near the entrance (or should I say exit?) of my rectum. There is no bleeding and I haven’t participated in anal intercourse.
Oh and I can’t see a doctor unless I absolutely have to because I have no health insurance nor a job.

Where the hemorrhoids occur and what is the common reason for the cause of hemorrhoids.

I think I need to visit a doctor or consult someone or something. Really panicking the more I think about it, but I think I’ve had a hemorrhoid problem for almost half a year now, and I’m terrified that it’s getting worse or will get worse or might be irreversible or might cause irreversible damage etc. Pretty average freak-out stuff.

Anyway, I’m 20 years old and have no insurance and very little money, any idea how much it could cost out of pocket?

Also, if anyone knows, any idea how long the treatment might take/last?

I’m really worried, I’ve changed my diet and am starting to exercise more but I’ve had it for almost six months, I think, so I don’t think it’s going to just go away. I could have misdiagnosed myself, also, seeing as I’m no doctor… but that’s why I want to get professional consult before I panic even more.

Any ideas/help/suggestions?

I don’t think I can hold out until Obamacare kicks in =P
Edit: symptoms, I guess. A little graphic.
Some small amount of blood, general discomfort when going to the bathroom, it feels like it’s harder to actually get the stuff out the door, so to speak, and when I wipe I feel like I have to push it all back in, as disgusting as that sounds.
There was a time when I simply could not go to the bathroom. That was the most panicked I’ve ever been. I pushed and nothing would come out, as if it was all being blocked halfway. An hour or so later I managed to finish my BM and I’ve been somewhat fine ever since.

The last parts are what have me so worried, I’m afraid that that has progressed beyond a simple hemorrhoid issue, but I really don’t know if I can afford to see a doctor…