Swollen down there/varicose veins - What will happen to them during birth?

[Littlerayofsunshine]

I am nearly 36weeks with DC2, I never had this as such with DD. Only the slightly swollen feeling. this time around I feel swollen, and feel the "lumpy" varicosties? i think. They're there more when i've been on my feet all day. baby is also 3.5ths engaged and very low so alot of pressure.

What effect with birth have on this? will they burst? sounds silly but the Q. just popped into my head.

After DD I recovered really quickly (had 2nd D tear but didnt effect me much)

I had this as well with my DC3 and to be honest, have no recollection of thinking of them during birth so obviously didn't make a difference. Afterwards they just disappeared. It is a horrible when you have them when pregnant though. Not long to go now - good luck!

They don't seem to bother most people, but I had one go pop on me during my second baby being born. Lots of blood everywhere initially, and a quick trip to hospital (DS born at home.) I had stitches under spinal block, laughed and joked with the surgeon a lot, home later that day. All a big non-drama, and everything down there has been fine since.

I was told they should not bother me during labour and delivery and that they will likely disappear shortly afterwards.

Yes had these with both pregnancies with my DDs and have them again 17 weeks into this pregnancy with DC3.
To be honest they didn't bother me too much and I didn't have any problems with them during labour etc.
They disappeared soon after the births but seem to come back earlier each time in subsequent pregnancies!

As an aside, friends and I had many a happy time shouting 'vulvar varicosities' like it was a Harry Potter spell ....!

Would like to mention that friends and I are mid-thirties to mid-forties and should really know better!

I had the pleasure during my second pregnancy. I found them quite gross and like you, the pressure/swell was worse after an active day. But don't worry, caused no trouble during labour and they vanished soon after.

Kept meaning to post here re this as my VV msde labour my biggest dread during pregnancy. Actually, the VV gave me no bother at all during labour & they didn't rupture. My veins appeared at 22 wks in this 3rd preg & gave me real pain & discomfort till about 36wks. They got bigger every week & by the time I gave up work at 35wks they looked like bunches of purple grapes down there! Sorry if TMI!! I was seen every 4wks by Consultant as they wanted to RV whether or not I could deliver in the MLU or whether I had to deliver in the hospital instead (based on size & positioning of varicosities). In the end I had a 3hr waterbirth in the MLU with only the odd puff of Gas & Air for pain relief. Crowning was no more painful than on my 2 previous labours & the first degree tear I got didn't affect the veins at all. Wasn't aware of them at all during my labour! Now, 13 days PN they've decreased in size & all the oedema has gone! Hope that helps OP.

Thank you! thats reassuring.
Most days they are at bay, bu its some days and particularly towards the end of the day where I feel like someone has booted me there. then I think wow is the head coming out? lol.

I worried loads when I first noticed, I thought of the worst when I felt a lump. The dreaded C word. but dr said it was all due to pregnancy. especially being a 2nd pregnancy.