bulging veins - TMI

[George26]

When I was about 22wks pg with DD I got varicose veins... on my vulva . They were (obviously) hideous, and slightly uncomfortable. DD arrived early at 34wks, so I think I managed to avoid them getting really bad.

I'm now 14wks pg, and they've appeared again, and I'm terrified that as they've started earlier than last time, they're going to be much worse, and don't even want to think about what will happen if/when I carry to full term.

As if that wasn't bad enough, I think I've also got piles - are all my veins determined to pop out of inappropriate places? (I don't have any "normal" varicose veins on my legs!)

Does anyone have any ideas of anything I can do to make them better/keep them under control? (standing on my head?) The best my midwife could came up with last time was to tell me to wear a sanitary towel as the added pressure would help "support" it.

waiting hopefully for your replies!

hi there, i've no idea but poor you ! with my first pregnancy i had no constipation and no piles. with this pregnancy i have had dreadful constipation and think i might have a pile. (singular.) i am only 27 weeks along so no doubt in ten weeks time i will have loads of them. i have no idea what you are supposed to do to treat them or if there's anything that prevents them getting worse..ah, the joys...

I was prescribed piles cream for my vulval varicose veins in my last pregnancy. I had loads of them, but one REALLY bad one that protuded so much it bled constantly. As soon as I used the cream it went down within two days, it was such a bloody relief.

I haven't dared look at my undercarriage this time round, but I can feel a "heavy" discomfort when I'm sat on the loo, so I have a feeling they are on their way back. How lovely!

My midwfife was useless when I asked for advice, so if I were you I would make a dr's appt and let him/her have a quick look. They will probably be able to give you better information/treatment than the midwife.

rock Your experience sounds awful - I hope it doesn't get so bad for you this time round. Thank-you so much for your message, it's really good to know that there is something which can be done about them! If the MW is no use next week, I will definitely be going to see my GP!

While googling last night I found a couple of people saying that these pants were really good - a bit pricey though!

sotough - thanks for your message too! - google will tell you all you need to know about piles! In short, drink lots of water, eat plenty of fibre, and don't strain on the loo (apparently the pile makes it feel like there's more to come out when there isn't)

It's just as well those babies are so damn cute when they get out so we can forget about all of this & want another!

I discovered to my horror that I had developed vulvar varicosities which I have never had before (this is my fourth child). I thought I was having period pain sort of cramps "down there" but turns out it was the varicosities, I just hadn't realized. I think they've been there for most of the pregnancy but I only realized when I was about 30 weeks, (now almost 37 weeks) and they haven't gotten any worse. In fact, some days they aren't really a problem and other days they hurt and are more swollen, although I've found it helpful to avoid wearing high heels too often. From what I've read they disappear very soon after giving birth, so I'm hoping that'll be true for me! In the meantime, the best advice I can give is make sure you spend as much time as possible putting your feet up above your hips, or at least level with them to help keep the blood flowing easily, I've found that really helpful. If they are really a problem, support hose are supposed to be good too. Hope they don't get any worse for you!

I'd recommend grade 2 support tights. Unfortunately these are not available on prescription (only the knee and thigh length ones are), and cost a lot (£19.50 a pair from Boots and you need to get measured for them), as they really work (even though you have no leg symptoms, the veins there will be involved too). Tho' expensive, the tights are almost impossible to ladder which is just as well, as they are VERY difficult to get on, but are wonderfully smooth and supporting from ribcage to toe! I've managed with 2 pairs lasting me about 7 weeks so far, though they are starting to give out a bit at the seams now.

If the cost is out of the question, you can get grade 2 support stockings on prescription, and the thigh length ones DO help with the vulval varicose veins, but not as well as the tights, and they can cut in at the top of the leg so not as comfy.

oldmum Thanks for your post, I'm not a big fan of tights, but if they do the trick I don't care!
I just tried looking on the boots website but can't find any "grade 2 support tights" - will I have to go in store & ask at the pharmacy?

sarah mine disappeared within days of DD's birth, I think the first time I remembered to look was about 5 days later & they had completely gone!

Phew I'm hoping that'll happen for me, unfortunately though I do have one blue patch of veins at the top of the inside of one thigh which I have a sinking feeling is there for life unless treated... Oh well, at least this is my last baby (I think)! :)

I've been bothered with vv's in this pregnancy. They get really uncomfortable, making it difficult to do anything on my feet for more than a couple of hours, and by the evening the pressure making it almost impossible to do anything but lay on the sofa with my feet up!! Not that I mind that occasionally but I'm only 23 weeks and it could get a little tedious for my other two DC's and DH!!

Today I tried these compression tights www.pebbleuk.com/ for the first time, not specifically for vulval veins, and they are a bit hot, and a bit of a work out to get on, but I am more comfortable tonight than I've been for several weeks.

They were a bit pricey but if today is anything to go by, definitely worth it.

George26 I can totally relate- I started getting VV around 17-19wks and didn't know what it was- I thought my uterus had prolapsed! felt like the baby was going to come out- most uncomfortable, I get a really bad throbbing heaviness when standing after sitting for a while. The midwife said not much can be done (suggested an ice pack on the affected region- ouch!) -she said it was more common when you have babies close together- if only I'd known! (have DS1 19mths old) I'm now 26 weeks and also hoping it won't get worse.

have done some research and there are some US products that are proven to help relieve the pain- see reviews on the US Amazon website www.amazon.com/Prenatal-Cradle-V2-Supporter-126-165/dp/B00006D2R8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1287475712&sr=8-1

if you type 'Prentatal Cradle V2 supporter' into the Google UK search engine, there is one website that sells in the UK. It does cost, but if you're in quite a bit of pain I'd have thought It'd be worth a go- I might buy one if mine gets worse.

George26,

yes, I had to go to boots and order them from the pharmacy, and they/you need to measure your leg (pref you, first thing in the morning if you have any leg/foot swelling during the day), at the foot (length of), fullest part of the calf and the thigh.

I assume any other pharmacy could also order them for you, not just boots.

I hate tights too, but the relief from the hideous "toothache" (best description of that maddening awful ache if you ask me!) was immense.

well I went to my local Boots today & after showing me the measuring form (which I had to take away & fill in) the pharmacist told me that I could only have stockings, so I am going to buy some tights from the pebble site mama mentioned as I've seen several other recommendations for them.

Yesterday everything felt very heavy, so I lay down with my bum & legs in the air for about 5mins and felt so much better! so am going to start doing bridge pose every day. Does anyone know if it's OK to do shoulder stand when pregnant?

Ref: the Prenatal Cradle V2 Supporter;
I am 30 wks pregnant with my 3rd baby and I have suffered with V.Vs with each one - I hate to worry any one, but unfortunately, with me, they have appeared earlier and are more painful / bigger each time; I have just started to develop V.Vs running from the V.Vs down my legs for example which I didn't have with either of the other two.

Late in my first pregnancy my mum(!) discovered the Prenatal Cradle V2 Supporter (midwives had no practical advice whatsoever and had not even heard of the support) and I thought I'd try it, there was nothing else available that was 'purpose built'!
Being honest, on the negative side, they look like a lacy jockstrap and make me feel very trussed up and 'bundly', and can also give you 'muffin top' across your hips - they have to be very tight / snug to give you that support you need against the laws of gravity pulling on the V.Vs, (which is why it hurts so much when you stand / walk)! They're not cheap either (Amazon was cheapest when I last purchased), and I'd recommend buying 2, one to wear, one to wash - truthfully, I am looking forward to being rid of them again, as I am hoping the veins will disappear again, as before, almost immediately after the birth.

HOWEVER, despite all of those 'minuses', a very big and most important 'plus' is that I really don't think I could have coped with day to day life and 2 kids if I didn't have the physical support the V2 provides - it doesn't eliminate my pain and discomfort fully, but it would be far worse without it - and when you're in pain, any relief is welcome!! Hope this helps.

...Also, forgot to mention, my three pregnancies were not close together - there is at least 3 years and 3 months between each of them - and I still have painful V.Vs, so the midwifes comment re: closeness of pregnancies surprises me - I imagine once the weakness is there, its there, ready to reappear, regardless of how close together your pregnancies are?

I have also read that whilst C Sections are not necc indicated with V.Vs, episiotomies are definitely contraindicated - does anyone know anything about this 'statement'?