16 weeks pregnant, feel bulgy "down there"

[Emilypp]

Hi everyone, sorry for the TMI post but just wondered if this is normal! I'm 16 weeks pregnant and have noticed when squatting that my vagina feels fuller, like there's pressure behind it. If I put my hand there, it almost feels like there's a bulge at each side that wasn't there before. I can only feel it when squatting so could it be that my uterus is just low and that is normal when pregnant or should I be running it past my midwife? I don't want to not mention it then have some kind of prolapse but also feel like it might be a stupid question?! Any advice welcomed! Xx

Had the same, was checked at MAU and everything was fine internally. It was just pressure and swelling.

I'm really glad I went to get it checked though as it put my mind at ease, it had gotten very uncomfortable by that stage (27w) and I was worried that there was something wrong that would stop me having a vaginal birth.

Mine felt just slightly “swollen” because of all the extra blood flow.

However, prolapse in pregnancy (and after labour) is very common. To reduce the likelihood/severity of it, start doing pelvic floor exercises. Research how to do them properly. The Squeezy app is good for reminding you to do them.

Also try to make sure you’re not constipated - don’t do any pushing/straining. Always put your feet on a little stool to mimic a squatting position.

Thank you for the quick response @lavenderdilly Thats good to know that they checked you out, so maybe it's not such a bizarre question! I think I may have to run it past my midwife just to be on the safe side as it's playing on my mind too x

Yeah this is a thing. Happened to me for first pregnancy and this one too! Swollen vagina

@Hazelnuttella thank you so much, I'll go get that app now. I do pelvic floor now and again when I remember, I don't struggle to do them so hopefully it can't be that close to prolapsing yet! I know I need to do them much more regularly though. I've been forever constipated and do use a "poo step" 🙈 but sometimes I have pushed way too hard which also makes me think I may have done some damage x

Please get checked out I had a weak cervix and this was what I felt at that time and I lost a healthy baby because the constant didn’t think to check internally he just checked the heartbeat. I don’t want to scare you but if it feels like it’s coming down a bit, go!

@Banrockmystation I'm so sorry to hear that, thank you for telling me. I will definitely be mentioning it then. Thanks again x

Not bizarre at all :)

The only thing I forgot to say was mine was mainly because I got pregnant again at 7mo postpartum so my pelvic floor definitely wasn't fully recovered.

If this is your first pregnancy it's doubly worth checking out.

And as pp said, pelvic floor health is super important in pregnancy and beyond and there's no better money spent than on a women's health physio!

Can you manage to have a look with a mirror? Slightly depressing but it's probably vulval varicose veins. I had them a bit in my first pregnancy (blissfully unaware) and badly in my second (starting about 16 weeks). It made standing up for a long time quite uncomfortable. But did go away immediately after birth, thank god.