20 weeks preg - issue down below :(

[Cooley]

Hi,

I'm posting out of desperation really as it's driving me mad. Does anyone know what this could be?

I'm 20 weeks pregnant this coming week and I've been having problems down below.
This is going to sound so vague, but I'm finding it so hard to put into words how it actually feels.
I'm not in any pain. But I am so uncomfortable in my vagina area. It kind of feels like I need to wee a lot. There's some pressure there. It kind of feels like something is there almost. This isn't my first pregnancy, I already have a toddler but I never experienced this strange feeling then.
I'm so frustrated as I can't pinpoint exactly why or where the sensation is coming from. It's just a really uncomfortable feeling coming from down below.

Has anyone experienced the same? Or could anyone suggest what I should do? Should I be worried? Xx

Could it be varicose veins? Is it worse when you stand up?

It feels the same whether sitting down or standing up.
It's getting to the point where I'm like, is this all in my head?! But I'm sure it's not lol. It's driving me crazy!

Is it almost like an irritation? I’m 16 weeks and find if I’ve had a lot of discharge I need to wash down below more then normal. Or if I’ve not washed all the soap off after a shower and something is irritating the area.
If I have this feeling I wash and then sit with something cold between my legs, sounds odd but it almost cools the burning/ weird feeling down.

Could it be a bladder infection? That tends to feel like a constant pressure/uncomfortable feeling.

Are you doing your pelvic floor exercises?

Sounds a bit like a UTI, maybe. I would give your midwife a call to discuss.

I think I know what you mean because I get it every now and then. It’s like a weird pressure, “tingly” feeling that you get when your holding in a pee (so hard to describe), but it’s not a pain as such - it’s just uncomfortable.

I went to my GP for tests for a UTI for this exact feeling and it all came back clear - this was a few weeks ago. I am now 20 weeks and I get that same feeling every now and then. I have bought myself little dip tests for my urine (cheap and from amazon) to keep an eye on it, but so far - everything is okay.

Maybe go to the GP with a urine sample to just rule out a UTI, but I definitely do think I get the same feeling as you.

Ask GP to rule out UTI? As a pp suggested, my first thought was varicose veins, which unfortunately you can’t do anything about.

@BadAlice @tinkywinkyshandbag @CluelessBaker @Cobbsgirl92 @Allstarxo @otterbaby @crazychemist

Thank you everyone for your responses. I really appreciate it.

I will definitely get a UTI ruled out. It did cross my mind that it maybe could be that, but because it doesn't burn or sting when I wee, I assumed it wouldn't be?!

As for the varicose vein thing, how would I know that is the cause?

And as for the question about pelvic floor exercises, no I haven't been doing them

Xxxx

www.thevagwhisperer.com/pregnancyblog/2020/1/5/help-i-have-varicose-veins-on-my-vulva

I had similar in my second trimester - no thrush or UTI, just felt uncomfortable. I stopped wearing thongs and wore big cotton knickers only (Also making sure I was knicker-free for an airing overnight!) and switched out shower gel for ph neutral soap. That did the trick.

I think hormones can upset your natural vaginal balance, so try looking at anything else that can cause irritation and addressing those (after ruling out UTI and thrush)