Varicose Veins

[ezymay]

Hi,

Sorry if this is TMI for some. I am found out I have a varicose vein in my vagina and wondered if anyone else has had any experience with this? Its a bit painful and I'm concerned it will never go away or it will effect my ability to deliver vaginally. I'm 28 weeks along.

[dust]

hi there!
TMI but yeah it happens, happened to myself.. i had one that would kinda hang out... it has gone away since tho best thing i did was sleep on my left side.
I have read a few things that during labour the pressure of the babies head will drain the blood away from the area. (dunno the truth to that)
i was also pretty constipated at the same time and had the 'cauliflower' butt going on too (tmi sorry) so i increased fluids and fibre in my diet. Took some extra naps at that time too as i had no energy.. Went without sex for awhile..
ive also read that if you wear fitted support stockings it can help but something you would have to talk to your GP and/or chemist about.. (i didnt)

[cheekyfrog]

Eej, I found this article in a Prima Baby and Pregnancy magazine I was reading and took notice because I'd read your post.

Q. I have been diagnosed as having 'vulval varicosities'. Can you give me some more information on this condition? I'm seven months pregnant with my third child.

Obstetrician Leonie says: Vulval varicosities are varicose veins of the vulva. A varicose vein is a vein that has become unusually dilated and full of blood. In pregnancy the valves in the veins work less well due to pregnancy hormones, which can result in blood 'pooling' in the veins or make existing varicose veins worse. A small number of women develop the same problem in the surface veins on the vulva - sometimes very large swollen veins can appear. These cause irritation or an aching discomfort. Unfortunately there is no specific treatment other than avoiding long periods of standing. Worries that varicosities will rupture during delivery and cause heavy bleeding are unfounded; if bleeding does happen this is not usually heavy and a vaginal birth is safe. Happily, vulval varicosities disappear almost instantaneously with the deliver of th baby and it's unlikely you'll ever get them again.

HTH

[ezymay]

Thanks for the info!!

[**Helen**]

Hi eej, I am so sorry to hear you are going through this. I had a vulva varicose vein in my previous pregnancy and have one threatening to happen now. The best thing I could do, was to put a gel cool pack (like the lunch box ones) over the top of my pants and have a lay down for awhile. That would assist with the pain. Also firmer fitting pants. Mine ended up bleeding, and while that hurt at the begining, it did relieve a lot of the pressure. Try not to squat or strain at the toilet.
It subsequently dissappeared after birth. I had totally forgot I had it, it just dissappeared.

[Angie-la]

The best thing I could do, was to put a gel cool pack (like the lunch box ones) over the top of my pants and have a lay down for awhile. That would assist with the pain...
... It subsequently disappeared after birth. I had totally forgot I had it, it just dissappeared.

Helen, great info, and so glad to know they go away... I have developed vulval varicose veins (R>L) and went to my GP yesterday as there was discomfort when I got up, plus one vulval lip and my pubic fat pad were larger on one side [two people I work with have dads with nasty lymph tumours and I managed to work my self up into a state about possible cancer, early induction so I could have chemo, not seeing my girls grow old].

Well of course, when she checked me I was lying down, so everything had un-bulged, and she didn't mention the 'vvv' word, just said "no infection, no lumps, it's probably just hormonal changes". Yarned to my sister (a rehab specialist, but a mum of four) who did mention vvv's, suggested I try either hot or cold packs, firm undies, even packing sanitary napkins forward to apply pressure, lying on the other side etc.

This morning I got up (slept much better knowing that it was just vvv's) holding my undercarriage... ... no positional discomfort! Of course I can't go round holding my crotch all day, but I have a hand towel jammed between my legs as I type this. I'm thinking a wrap, a bit like sumo wrestlers wear, might be the go?

Anyway, so glad this thread exists, it's taken a load off my you-know-what...

Ange
ps. as vet, I remember now that mares get them during pregnancy!

[ezymay]

well i just wanted to update and say the vein didn't effect my delivery and as far as I'm aware it has nearly gone now and I'm 2 weeks past delivery!