Varicose veins - not in legs!

[KitsKat]

I'm 24 weeks pg and have been having pain on the outside of my vagina for a few weeks. It feels very heavy and swollen and is uncomfortable if I stand for too long. Today I took a mirror and had a look down there - what a horrible sight! I'm black and blue and all swollen. Has anyone else had varicose veins in their bits during pregnancy and what did they do to help them? I mentioned the pain to my midwife a couple of weeks ago and she just said 'it's probably because of the pregnancy.' Very helpful. I think I'll see my GP this week. It's very uncomfortable. I think I might have piles as well as it's pretty painful around there too. The joys of pregnancy!

These are the things that really no one tells you - but are actually surprisingly common unfortunatly! Wearing a sanitary towel may give you some support.

some tips for dealing with this!

sounds terribly painful..hope you can get some relief......

I had that with DD2 but just on the left side - although I can't remember how far into the pregnancy it was, think it was a bit further on than you are. It wasn't painful as such but it did ache a lot, especially first thing in the morning (not sure why). I had quite big bulging veins down the front of my thighs too and ended up rotating a pair of full length surgical stockings that a friend passed to me after an op she'd had - that eased the general ache. I don't think there's anything much to be done about them though (apart from not to show your DH/DP so that they're not scarred for life by the vision ). I was a bit worried about giving birth with this seemingly enormous bunch of purple grapes there but it was absolutely fine and they went down immediately after the birth, never to have arisen again!

If it hurts then go and see your GP but I'm not sure whether there's anything they can/will do, although they might be able to suggest something that might help you make yourself a bit more comfortable. Good luck!

Thanks everyone for all the tips. The link you sent Lulumama is really useful. I'm glad I'm not the only one suffering with this - although I wouldn't wish it on anyone!

welcom Kitskat....that is a fantastic site with lots of good practical advice....!

they are called labial varacoscities - I had them with my last 2 pregnancies and was equally horrified when I had a look! gp said to wear support knickers and pads - 2 large ones if I could stand it just to take the pressure off. They appeared much earlier with my latest pregnancy - at about 25 weeks whereas with 2nd preg I was about 32 weeks. They did go completely after the babies were born, so don't worry! Sit down too, that relieves them ( and don't look again until post baby!)

it's so great to hear about others with the same problem. i'm nearly 28wks with third pregancy. all down my left side. from the knee down the inside of my leg is purple with veins and up top it's the first time i've had problems here but have been there for at least 6 weeks now and can't quite imagine what they'll be like at full term. haven't found that doctors or midwifes are particularly interested in my suffering on these. they started at 6 wks in my legs and have had support tights on since 12wks so getting pretty tired of them now. i'll try the sanitary towel tip though might help although not massively excited by the discomfort as i hate the things!
a pregnant friend france has them too and seems to have a good doctor who said the groin and vulva one's go 30 mins after birth as they are mainly caused by the weight of the baby.
good luck everyone x