Blue/purple vagina, freaking out!!

[Motherof1and2dogs]

I looked at my vagina properly for the first time today since being pregnant (32 weeks pregnant), just out of curiosity because I am very swollen down below and even going for a pee when I stand up afterwards it almost feels like I need to push it back inside, but its blue! My vagina, vulva area is blue!! What is this!? Is this something I need to urgently speak to my midwife about. I never had this with my first, my vagina no longer looks like mine!

Might be varicose veins. If you're uncomfortable it's worth getting checked out and some advice on how to relieve it.

Lots of extra bloodlflow combined with the pressure from the bump can lead to varicose veins in the area which I had and were quite uncomfortable.

It is perfectly normal in pregnancy. There is extra blood volume, and venous congestion. Venous blood is dark purplish/ blue colour.

I missed the bit about pushing something back inside. That is worth asking about. Probably a varicosity. Support tights can help.

@endofthelinefinallyplease tell me this goes back to normal after birth?
Also the part about feeling like I need to push it back inside, I think it’s just so swollen down there, especially sitting in the toilet that there is a LOT of pressure, it is worse when I sit down/ squat

It all settles down eventually. Pelvic floor exercises are essential, as is avoiding constipation. Whenever you can, follow the old fashioned mantra:
Don't stand if you can sit, don't sit if you can lie down.

It goes back to normal. Freaked me out too.

Yeh it's best not to look

I had this when I was pregnant with my first. Felt like my insides were hanging out. Big blue vein visible. Yuk. Doctor said that the baby must be leaning on something, and to wear snug elasticky pants for support. Shortly after baby must have moved and undercarriage returned to normal, and I’ve never had any problems since.

I'm sure I read somewhere that they used to diagnose pregnancy by checking if things had turned purple down there...

Varicose veins in my vulva were another of those pregnancy surprises. Having to push something back inside though is definitely worth discussing with your midwife though.

Same thing happened to me. Got the shock of my life when I looked in the mirror and saw Frankenstein’s fanjo - deathly blue with thick wormy veins.

I can confirm all went back to normal after giving birth. It’s to do with the extra blood you carry whilst pregnant and the pressure on your pelvis.

@CrazyCatMam I am so glad reading these comments that it’s totally normal and even more so that it does go back to normal after because it looks horrendous doesn’t it! I thought I had prolapsed or something

Called vulval varicosities, it will go away.

Frankenstein’s Fanjo! 🤣

I’m sorry, I don’t remember experiencing this although it was definitely big and fat (like the rest of me!) It’s good to know from other people’s messages that it is normal, and will go back. I would probably want to ask/show my midwife at my next appointment if I were you.