Lump of flesh poking out of vagina in early stages of 2nd pregnancy!

[KatW84]

Hello Ladies,

This is pretty embarrassing and I'm wondering if anyone has had any similar experiences or heard of it through other Mums, hoping to have my mind put at rest really! So I'm currently 11 weeks pregnant with my second child. About 2wks ago I was checking things down below, not for any particular issue, just checking the waxing situ in lockdown! I was shocked to see a small lump of flesh poking out of my vagina- about the size of a grape- it went back in if I pushed in gently and clenched pelvic floor, not painful etc. Not ever noticed it before and it doesn't come with any symptoms so it could've happened that day, or could've had it for a while, who knows. I freaked out though thinking I'd had a prolapse as I don't think that's reversible without surgery, plus I don't fit any of the risk factors for a prolapse (no issues in prev preg or birth, I'm a low/healthy weight, I exercise regularly, don't smoke, no health issues etc).

I spoke to doctor who said she wouldn't be concerned at all and it's prob just things softening down there with the pregnancy. She and my Midwife said to keep an eye and seek further advice if it worsens. Midwife also said that things swell down there is pregnancy. Call massively put me at ease as I was worried I would be told to stop exercising, which is a massive part of my life and I believe helped me a lot in my first labour.

However, today I checked and it is worse and the lump has almost doubled in size (maybe more like a grape and a half size). It may be a coincidental but I've done a fair amount of physical activity today- a jog and two walks with my older child, but who knows when it got worse. Plus I've got the rest of the pregnancy to go! I've sent an e-enquiry to my GPs to request an appointment and I know I should get it medically checked for an answer, but now I'm really worrying about what's wrong with me, how much worse it could get during the pregnancy, how it could affect baby's health and the labour, and whether it'll actually go away after! I've got nearly 31wks of pregnancy left so it getting worse already doesn't seem to bode well.

It's not really the sort of thing people talk openly about so wondered if anyone had any similar experiences to share?? Basically looking for reassurance that this could be something other than a prolapse! I can't get my head around why I would be someone at risk of a prolapse at all and the whole thing is now worrying me.

Sorry if it's TMI ladies! xxx

I've recently had something similar, was terrified it was a prolapse too, GP checked it out and turned out it was a skin tag. Apparently vaginal ones are quite common, although I'd never heard of them before. Did you tear during your first birth? I had second degree tears and am wondering if the skin tag is somehow linked to that. Mine went bright / angry red as it got infected but other than that nothing to worry about!

Sounds a bit like a prolapse tbh but if there’s something new and you’re worried, best to have someone examine you. It’s pretty common in pregnancy and post pregnancy with the hormonal changes that go on. I’d suggest making sure you have a good pelvic floor muscle exercise app (or just do regular kegels) and try to lay off on weight bearing activity - easier said than done though! Keep active but swimming, walking more so than running and gym for example. If doing squats etc make sure you do kegels at the same time... etc etc. if it’s prolapse there’s not much else you can do about it and it may well get lots better againpost pregnancy.
Good be a skin tag or something else, seems less likely. As you said you definitely get increased blood flow and swelling in the area so things can look different to you as well!

Skin tag. I had the same develop during pregnancy last time. It was weird and freaked me out (also grew throughout). Dropped off shortly after birth

SomethingLikeAPhenomenon- thank you so much for your reply. It's s reassuring to know I'm not alone and there are options other than a prolapse! Wow a skin tag- so mine just doesn't look like what I understand a skin tag to look like- mine looks round a fleshy, from looking and touching it it seems like part of the vaginal wall really. Do you mind me asking what yours looked like? I understand if it's too personal and you'd rather not say, but I'd be interested to know if it's like the fleshy lump I described. thanks again

TenThousandSpoons0- thank you so much for your reply. I totally agree- I need to get it checked out really- my GPs are pretty good and will hopefully offer an appointment soon on the back of my e-form sent. The pelvic floor app is a good call- I have been more conscious of doing them but could do with some prompts, plus my pregnancy app has one built in so I'll use that. The exercise advice I'll find harder- I have stopped any HITT style workouts, and just doing jogging which sounds like it could be intense but I have been a runner for 12yrs, so it literally is a regular thing my body is used to. I was worried the GP would say to stop exercising but she was so confident from my description that it was nothing to worry about she said I didn't need to worry about changing my habits- I need to get it checked really so I can properly have it diagnosed, so to speak. I rarely look at things down there and don't remember doing so much in my first pregnancy, but defo don't remember seeing anything like this, and as a you say the appearance can change so maybe I'm shocked looking at something many women have, who knows. thanks again for responding & the advice

Monkeyseesmonkeydoesn't- thanks so much for your reply. I'm reassured to not be the only one with weird growths down there and the fact that skin tag could be an option. It just doesn't look like how I picture a skin tag to look- would you mind describing how yours looked please? I understand if you'd rather not! Mine just looks like a lump of flesh you'd see on the inside of the vaginal wall starting to bulge out. thanks again

Something LikeAPhenomenon- sorry forgot to say, yes I did have a small tear during first birth (not sure of degree, they said it was my choice whether I had it stitched or not & opted for the stitch)

Just like an elongated fleshy skin tag. Not lumpy or bumpy, smooth and long (a bit dangly).

It really sounds like a prolapse to me. Has your GP or midwife examined you?
To be on the safe side I would suggest limit your lifting and be conscious of exercise. I had a prolapse after my second baby and it improved with pelvic floor exercises and time.
When you’re able to it might be an idea to see a Women’s health physio.
Have you had any sensation of a ‘bulging’ feeling? For me it felt like a tampon that was dropping down, not painful at all though.

Just to clarify- a prolapse is essentially the weakening of the vaginal wall meaning that your bladder or rectum is trying to push, causing a lump which can protrude from your vagina.
I don’t think there is any evidence to suggest there can be any harm or concern for your baby and hormone make everything loosen up as you’ve been told so should hopefully be temporary. Hope it improves well after the birth. For me it tooK around 9 months post partum.

MonkeySeesMonkeyDoesn't- thanks for confirming. Mine is more rounded and oval in appearance, slightly protruding out of vagina. Hopefully doctors can confirm 100%

Acquiscience- thanks so much for your reply. Not been examined yet as when I described to GP on phone she said not to worry, that is wasn't a prolapse but just an area of vaginal wall that had softened and swelled. Since it's worsened/ increased somewhat in size I've requested an appointment, so hopefully get it properly checked then.

Is what I described how yours looked then (if you don't mind me asking)? I'm really concerned it could be a prolapse, but equally if it is I'm confused as to why it would come about now in early stages of preg (when I had nothing at any stage with first preg) and I'm a healthy weight, exercise regularly etc, plus only 33yo. Perhaps it's the exercise that's done it, who knows, that's why I've stopped the classes/ HIIT style workouts just to be sure. Were you told to stop exercising with yours? It's very reassuring that yours got better- I was under the impression if you get one you're kinda stuck with it until it gets bad enough for surgery.

I wouldn't say there was a strong bulging feeling down there, but as I've been conscious of it being there I had felt it and it's like a slightly sensation of something being there. It then reminds me, I start panicking/worrying and clenching my pelvic floors desperately wanting it to go away! Never uncomfortable though. I will do my best to avoid the lifting definitely, not always possible with a 3yo who needs lifting in and out of car, but I will try! Will see what GP says, but specialist physio could be a good shout. Thanks again for your reply

Could be a cyst. They can form at the site of previous trauma like a scar or stitches. Harmless but doc would drain it.

Mine didn’t protrude, it was like a bump inside the vagina, like the walls were closing in. I was 32 and very fit, healthy bmi, for me it was after my second pregnancy and my first vagina birth. It could be that you had some weakening previously and then this pregnancy and the pressure is pressing more. Was your first a vaginal birth?

As others say, could be something else so would be a good idea to get checked. GPS often have poor knowledge of women’s health in this area so be prepared to be brushed off. I saw a physio privately for an examination and guidance.

If it is a cyst they can be drained if the bother you. I have one that has grown as my pregnancy has developed. Not painful in anyway and the consultant says unless it somehow got infected just leave it. He says the likelihood is it’ll burst during labour. Get checked and some piece of mind. Best of luck.

Have you hypermobility by any chance? Was your first birth a vaginal delivery? Can be more prone to prolapse with that.

Elieza & Poppyscot87- thank you so much for your replies. I hadn't thought about it being a cyst, but reassured to know again there's another potential option other than prolapse. I would have no idea if it looks like a cyst really, unless the vaginal cysts in pregnancy look like internal vaginal tissue? thanks

It could be a voracious vein. You can get piles their.

acquiescience- thanks for your reply. it's interesting yours didn't protrude, that must've been harder to spot. Mine was obvious once I looked down there as it's literally coming out of my vagina (a bit, not hanging out, but noticeable if you're in correct position). Everything you say makes potential sense to me! Yes I had a vaginal birth first time round and was hoping for same this time round, as first time was fairly straight forward and problem-free.

Absolutely re getting it checked, I'm hoping to hear back from GPs end of close tomorrow. I'll bear in mind about their potential lack of specialist knowledge, if I needed to go down the women's physio route and that was recommended I would have no hesitation in going private, esp with the demand that will creep in once things go back to normal after covid

Foggymist- his and thanks for your reply. I don't knowingly have hypermobility, although I've always been a reasonably bending/flexible person. I had read that can make things worse with issues down there are birth and in pregnancy. Yes I had a vaginal delivery with first child

Legoandloldolls- thanks so much for your reply. I did wonder about varicose veins as my friend said they can occur down there in pregnancy. When I googled the vaginal/groin ones the pictures literally looked like the type of varicose veins people can get on their legs, but in the groin area. Mine's like a smooth protruding lump of tissue, but I guess it could be so worth bearing in mind. Don't piles only develop in and around the anus?

I had a VV there in my fourth pg. I think they can pop out into piles as well unfortunately. I only noticed mine when it started to hurt. It only ever got to a lump under the skin stage.

People talk about these things but talking to my gp this is also quite common so it's a possibility that's what your lump might be. If it's that theres all kinds of lotions and potions for it and they shrink away after birth, or they can be removed simply too.

Even if it was a prolapse they can improve after birth and can be livable with little life impact ( I think sometimes they can need attention later in life).

If it is a VV they can get itchy and throbby later on so best to try to shrink it before that happens.

If the vein is deep you would only see the lump, and the tissue its pushing out around it. Tim but I had a pile in pg and it looked just like normal skin. Pink and smooth, not purple or red or anything like a Google picture.

Legoandloldolls- thanks for your replies. Interesting to know those might also be options as to what this is. No discomfort, itching or throbbing at all at this stage. I'm keeping everything crossed whatever this is is curable or will at least go away after the birth

Hey just wondering what the outcome was for you?
I phoned midwife the other day as felt bulge had a look and can see pink fleshy bulge when I'm standing up. She told me to go to a&e if I was worried. Got checked out by a gynae Dr who told me everything was nor.am and to do pelvic floor exercises. I'm just concerned as im only 15 weeks and feel like it's going to worsen 😔