I had them too when i was pg and they went away once i gave birth however now only pop out to say hello when i have the runs so quite possible it is one. I couldnt feel mine at first but it gradually got worse until i could iykwm. It got to the point where even walking and sitting felt uncomfortable (not too painful but i could feel it iykwim) . TBH mine werent too severe but to me they were HUGE lol. I only had discomfort for a couple of days and on these days i used a cream i got from a pharmacy.

With regards to birth with them i cant tell you as i had a cs but i'm sure lots of ppl with roid's birth without them been too much of a prob. Maybe some one with more of an idea or who's done it will pop in.
Hoody