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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Definitely TMI and embarrassing - if you are experienced in pregnancy and not squeamish please read!

19 replies

quiteworried · 19/03/2008 09:37

I have namechanged for this because I am embarrassed (know I shouldn't be but I am)about writing in such detail about my bits.

I am almost 34 weeks with dc no.3.

A couple of days ago I noticed I felt sort-of "swollen" around my fanjo area - the outer lips? When I actually found the time to have a look in a mirror last night I felt sick. I was half squatting over a mirror so I suppose there was the most pressure at that time, if that makes sense?

Both sides looked swollen, one side worse than the other, with what I can only describe as different sized marbles/lumps under the skin. I feel really worried and look deformed. I can't imagine pushing a baby out in a few weeks through that area, it looks like something will burst/rupture

I feel like everything is going to fall out. Help please!Anyone? Haven't got mw appt til next week.

OP posts:

Peachy · 19/03/2008 09:40

If you feel as if you have amrbles there then make a GP appointment- may be an infection, theya re quite common at this stage. Pressure would cause the rest of what youa re experiencing (and squatting will only worsen that!), but a GP chat may be a good idea.

MissyTheFlouncer · 19/03/2008 09:41

someone was chatting about this before i will try and find link for you

Bluebella · 19/03/2008 09:41

Hiya,

Don't be embarrassed!

I am not sure to be honest what this is, but I would see if you can get a doctors appt to get it checked out.

Blue x

JamesAndTheGiantBanana · 19/03/2008 09:41

Oh, don't worry! It sounds like vulval varicose veins, and while they can feel horrible and look worse, the majority of them disappear after the birth (although they may look worse temporarily after all the pressure etc- you won't want to look at your fanjo for a while anyway so don't worry about that)

They won't burst/rupture as far as I know, certainly never heard of it. Tell your midwife, they're incredibly common, she won't be shocked at all.

Incidentally, piles are just the same veins but around the bottom instead of at the front. Completely normal in pg. Just try and rest, support pants can help to relieve some of the pressure, or try a cold gel pack against the area. Best of luck and don't be embarassed!

MehgaLegs · 19/03/2008 09:42

I had this with DS4 - it's like piles on your labia. They disappeared as soon as I had him (by CS).

My mw assured me they were not unusual, it's the pressure from the weight of the baby restricting blood supply.

Original poster

quiteworried · 19/03/2008 09:49

Oh wow thank you all for your quick responses! I feel tons better already. I had a feeling it might be something like that but didn't want to start googling (gawd knows what it would bring up...)

Missy if you can find link I would be really grateful. I'll keep a close eye (as much as I can bear to) and if they get worse or hurt I'll go to the gp. Might ring mw also, but I trust you lot more than her I'm afraid to say (altho she is lovely).

Thanks again.

OP posts:

mummypig · 19/03/2008 09:50

I agree with the others that it's not terribly abnormal. I was very swollen in that area towards the end of both pregnancies. Cold gel packs really help, as does lots of resting .

If you are very worried definitely mention it to your midwife and maybe get her to check you out. When I was pg with ds1 I had a Bartholin's cyst which I had just thought was normal swelling. It disappeared with antibiotics though.

Original poster

quiteworried · 19/03/2008 09:52

PS does anyone know if doing pelvic floor exercises will help this? I know I should be doing them anyway, god knows I need to, but I think this will actually MAKE ME. I've hardly stopped doing them since I looked in the mirror last night and saw that gory sight.

OP posts:

Original poster

quiteworried · 19/03/2008 09:54

That's interesting mummypig. Think I will see if mw is about - she has a clinic at our gps this afternoon. I do feel/look noticeably bigger on one side. Off for another look [being brave]

OP posts:

belgo · 19/03/2008 09:54

pelvic floor muscles always help! You have to do them every day, forever. Really, you do, every woman does.

I got such a shock when I realised I had vuval varicose veins during my second pregnancy - I nearly had a heart attack. But they went completely after giving birth.

MehgaLegs · 19/03/2008 09:55

Pelvic floors are always beneficial but I don't think they will have any effect on the swelling until after your baby is born.

JamesAndTheGiantBanana · 19/03/2008 10:01

QW, I doubt it's a bartholins cyst if you have more than one lumpy bit, plus I've heard they're really quite tender at the site as it's an infection, but of course I could be wrong so you could get checked out anyway for peace of mind.

Original poster

quiteworried · 19/03/2008 10:03

Belgo I know what you mean, I felt sick and I'm not squeamish at all. Just had another look and they're even more fightening in the cold light of day.

Had sex with dh at the weekend (before I knew they were there), can't believe he didn't even notice them.....

Thank you everyone again, I love mn X

OP posts:

cadelaide · 19/03/2008 10:05

quiteworried, after dc1 i learnt not to look.

At all, ever, till about 4 months after the birth!

Original poster

quiteworried · 19/03/2008 10:11

James it does feel a bit tender on the bigger side, but does look rather veiny too (sorry tmi again). Only feels tender though since I've been aware of it (?) and been prodding. Have left a msg for mw to ring me back anyway, thought I might as well.

Cadelaide, I never look down there if I can help it. It's always worse than I remembered [squeeeeeeze]

OP posts:

Original poster

quiteworried · 19/03/2008 10:11

Cadelaide, I never look down there if I can help it. It's always worse than I remembered [squeeeeeeze]

OP posts:

JamesAndTheGiantBanana · 19/03/2008 11:21

I should imagine a cyst would feel like a big spot (lovely) very localised and sore. I think it's veins, myself. When I was pg I had a sore pressurised feeling on one side only, wasn't raised enough to feel and I didn't dare look. It went straight after the birth.

I have only looked down there once since the birth, what I saw was so depressing I put myself off sex for a week! It looked knackered like it could have done with a fortnight in the Bahamas! lol

I put away my mirror, replaced the bedroom lightbulb with a 40watt and I've been fine ever since. Denial is a wonderful thing when used effectively!

Original poster

quiteworried · 19/03/2008 12:51

Lol James I'll never look again! Like something out of a horror movie..... It's a good job these dc are worth it!

OP posts:

charlotte121 · 21/03/2008 00:24

i had something similar to this after having my last baby and it turned out to be an infection. the doctor gave me anti-biotics and said sudocrem was ok to use to help with them and after a few days everything was bk to normal. It is scary and very invasive but its always best to get these things checked out by the doc. im sure she'll love to have a good look at ur fanjo

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