[undermyfeet]

Hi,

This is probably a TMI topic sorry.

This morning I was having a shower and felt pressure down there. It was a bit uncomfortable so had a feel and just thought OMG, my left labia is huge. Got the mirror out and the left side is about 2x maybe 3 the size of my right. It is worse when I stand for a while, and if I push it it seems to go away and then come back. It just kind of aches.

So of course started googling engorgement of those bits and it lead me to Vaginal varicose vein.
This is what I think I have, though I have never heard of it before. This is my third pregnancy this far and I am 21 weeks. Apparently they aren't bad and generally clear up after giving birth and it doesn't occur in that many women but more so in subsequent pregnancies.

Am I weird, has anyone else had one. Did it bleed or burst during birth? I will go to the Dr next week and get it checked out but just wondering.

Thanks for any replies.

[AllegraM]

I have a beauty which has made me all lopsided down there.. The veins started popping up behind my right knee and gradually moved upwards till one popped out on my labia. It is my second pregnancy and I did not have them first time round so I can't say what happens in labour. I will follow this topic!

[IslandMummy]

I had one in my last pregnancy (4th child) and it was quite painful and constantly ached. I found dampening a maternity pad and freezing it then wearing it offered a lot of relief when it was really painful. Mine cleared up pretty much straight after birth which is good. I'm currently 18wks so will be interesting to see if I get one this time around!

ETA: no issues with it during birth at all, no bursting or bleeding

This post has been edited by IslandMummy: 19/01/2013, 07:54 PM

[Bunbaker]

I had them with my second and third pregnancies. Very painful especially when standing for a while.
Labour and birth were fine and my OB was not worries at all.
They cleared a few weeks after birth but I still get a lot of aching and pressure when I get my period.

DH and I are trying for #4 and am most certain it is something I will have again

Good luck and put your feet up and rest when you can because it helps a great deal

[Bunbaker]

I had them with my second and third pregnancies. Very painful especially when standing for a while.
Labour and birth were fine and my OB was not worries at all.
They cleared a few weeks after birth but I still get a lot of aching and pressure when I get my period.

DH and I are trying for #4 and am most certain it is something I will have again

Good luck and put your feet up and rest when you can because it helps a great deal

[gemmaw]

I had them with my second and third pregnancies. Very painful especially when standing for a while.
Labour and birth were fine and my OB was not worries at all.
They cleared a few weeks after birth but I still get a lot of aching and pressure when I get my period.

DH and I are trying for #4 and am most certain it is something I will have again

Good luck and put your feet up and rest when you can because it helps a great deal

My experience has been exactly the same as PP, except I'm not trying for a 4th. I still have issues with the veins, but it is hormonal now and usually only aches the week before and during my period.

[redmum77]

Ditto above, mine are generally all over the area, and the pain can be unbearable... Panadol when I have to out. The other relief has been witch hazel on a panty liner - the most help so far actually. Or just on a tissue or cotton wool. Sitting on an ice pack is good but then it burns when you wee! Lol. Try not to squat or lift things, it makes the pressure worse.

Can't wait for birth so it all starts to go back to normal! Sitting doesn't relive the pressure either, only lying down does.

[MadamDivine]

I had them in all 3 pg's of mine and unfort after pg 3 they have not disappeared.
I had surgery to have them removed and its wasnt a pretty surgery.
at least 2 x 8cm vertical cuts on either side to remove the veins in question. The incisions can end up being longer depending on where good vein is located. I had some bruising but after they healed it was bliss!! no more aching nothing, they wont operate though while you are pg.

My last pg was agony with them and they were there from 8 weeks.
I was hoping they would but the aching and throbbing i get on a daily basis is still there. The surgeon said it had been a while since he had seen some this bad.

But use compression stockings if you can and ice!!!

I am now currently pg with no 4 and they are back, unsightly as ever but no pain or aches yet and im 29 weeks. as long as they dont hurt then im ok with them being there as ugly as they are.