Far TMI question: shape 'inside'....

[UghTMI]

This is an embarrassing TMI type Q. Sorry!

I've got a couple of weeks till my due date. I've been doing my perinium massage and have noticed that my shape seems to have changed quite dramatically inside. This is the TMI bit. As soon as I put my finger say 1/2 cm inside it comes up against a hard, fleshy 'mound'. To get around it I have to stretch my perinium right back and contort my finger. I think this 'mound was there before but it's moved/grown in the past week or so.

Has anyone else had this or am I just horribly naive - have always been a bit squeemish about the biology of 'down there'. Another naive Q - if my finger has to do a houdini to get in there how is a baby going to get past?!?

Are you aware of this bump even without actually touching it? If so, I have something very similar to what you described... it sort of feels like (this is way TMI) you're about to pass some thick discharge, ifkwim? I know that you can get vaginal varicose veins (what fun pregnancy is, huh?!) so it could be that.

vaginal varicose veins - perhaps they should teach that kind of thing in sex education classes - far more likely to put people off!

I can sort of feel it if I concentrate but it doesn't bother me day to day. It's more that what was a bit of a 'kink' now feels like it's lying over the whole entrance. Oh dear, this is a bit grim! I wish someone would offer me a c/s - at least I can see how the baby gets out in that case!

can't help with the lump thing - as for the perineum massage, i discarded the idea once i reaslised what you had to do - i naively thought you'd just have to rub a bit of oil on it!

in terms of getting the baby out - picture the 'u' bend on the loo- that's what i can best describe it as - 2 steps forward, 1 back because of the bloody kink!

Hi TMI

It could be a "vulval varicosity" (mmm, nice!) or also if it's something that's always been there, could just be cos everything is swollen and it's exaggerated... no-one told me that your bits swell up during pregnancy, mine did both times but returned to normal v quickly... good luck.

Is it at the back (direction of your anus) or at the front?

Thanks for the replies - it's at the front. Many thanks

If it's at the front, it's just a normal part of your anatomy not a varicosity. I can't for the life of me remember what it's called but there is this little lump of tissue just inside where the urethra is. It's meant to be there! When women are pushing during childbirth it often gets pushed out a bit but goes straight back in afterwards - I was a bit startled the first time I saw one. Perhaps because everything is a bit swollen you are noticing it more. If you are doing perineal massage you need to focus on the back of the perineum, the bit of tissue between vagina and anus, rather than the front. Use your thumbs to gently stretch it out in a sort of loose U shape. If you can't reach get someone else to do it for you! The baby gets out because this bit of the perineum stretches beautifully around the baby's lovely little head. Which is also designed to mould a bit. Also pushing with the urge in little on and off pushes helps the perineum to stretch nice and slowly - avoiding being on your back and especially having stirrups also puts less strain on the perineim and is another way of not tearing. Hope that helps.

Ha! Found it - I think en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urethral_sponge this may be what you are encountering!

Thanks so much Mrsmalumas - that looks about right. I think I'd prefer to have swollen bits that are ot of place rather than the other suggestions!
Yes I'm trying to the the perenium massage as you suggest but getting my fingers in is getting harder!! Oh dear. Will try to believe in my body!

Many thanks again .

No worries. Don't stress too much about the perineal massage, evidence that it actually works is mixed. The position you are in when you give birth and the speed of exit (of the baby!) are probably more important. That, and having a good supportive midwife who will help you take your time and get comfortable. Good luck!

I did it for a few weeks before having ds and wish I hadn't bothered. I was induced and had to have an episitomy anyway as it was a ventouse delivery.

Changing the subject though, I would recommend putting nipple cream on to prepare your nipples if you are planning to breastfeed. I used cabbage nipple cream (sounds gross but didn't really smell) and hardly had any problems with nipples. Lasinoh cream is brill after and you don't have to take it off when feeding.