Vulval varicose veins

[ATC]

So my ladies bits currently resemble a cauliflower. How do I sort out my bikini line for my hospital visit tomorrow? Think I would need an epidural before I would consider waxing at the minute plus I don't particularly want to traumatise the beautician! Is it safe to use hair removal cream on vulval varicose veins. Am afraid of nicking one of them shaving.

 

[AnonymousCAT]

No idea how to answer your question, but I just noticed one of these yesterday on myself and it has me freaked out! It doesn't really hurt but it is ugly. Did you see your doc or mw about them? Anything to do to prevent getting more or making it worse? I was thinking of making a doc appt on mon to get it checked out. Oh the joys of pregnancy. My body is taking a beating. I hope it goes away after the birth

 

[Dogtanian]

I am also suffering with this,didnt have anything like it with #1.
I cannot bring myself to go to the doctor im so embarrassed,i have one but it is getting bigger.Does anyone know if its dangerous to just leave it and hope for the best?

 

[xQuinnx]

I've got a few 'down there' that over a few weeks got a bit bigger and more painful. The midwife had a look and she wasn't concerned, she said it's normal but to look out for them being very red and swollen as this could possibly indicate a clot rather then a vulval variscosity. She said they shouldn't affect labour except they would probably get bigger during the pushing stage (gross I know!) she suggested a birthing pool to help relieve some pressure...if it's available.

To be honest I've used hair removal creams, trying to avoid the veins but have covered them a couple of times by accident as I can't really see and it hasn't done anything to them :-/

 

[xQuinnx]

In term of stopping it from getting worse my midwife said that it's likely they will due to baby getting bigger, pressure etc but gotta say mine got worse between 28-30 weeks and then haven't changed. I think if you try not to squat too much, get a good balance of rest and mobility, try not to cross your legs these can all help. Plus I think if it gets really bad you can sit on a ice pack or something.

 

[AnonymousCAT]

Thank you for the advice. Ugh they are just so ugly looking. I feel like a freak even though I can only see them when I look in the mirror. I'm so paranoid they will get worse and I will have them forever. I think seeing my doc will give me some peace of mind. Don't be embarrassed doctantian. Docs see lots of stuff, that's their job. Better to get them looked at early and get reassurance how to manage them if needed. I'll let you know what they say.

 

[CaptainMummy]

Im afraid theres not much you can do about them :/ I have them too, also did with my second. Its just from the pressure/weight of baby etc and it definitely goes away very quickly after birth.
I shaved my lady garden yesterday and it isnt very attractive lol, but its just one of those things I guess. Im sure the cream would be okay though

 

[Hoping4Four]

I just noticed yesterday while shaving that I have one of these developing down there it's a lump right now, but it's a blueish colour so it's obvious that's what it is. I also have couple on my legs from before I got pregnant that are looking worse.

I don't know about hair removal creams, I don't see why they would be a problem though. To be honest I'm just going to carry on shaving, even if it is a pain!!

 

[ATC]

Thanks ladies. Good to know I'm not the only one! To be honest it's less the appearance of them that I'm worried about than the discomfort. I have a job where I'm on my feet most of the day and I feel quite swollen and achy down below when I've been standing a while. They are also now spreading down towards my thighs as well. This is my second pregnancy and I definitely didn't have this last time!

Haven't seen the midwife/obstetrician since they appeared but will mention it tomorrow. Bit of an embarrassing complaint but am sure theyre used to it. Went for the hair removal cream in the end (even though it says not to use on varicose veins) and it was grand.

 

[AnonymousCAT]

Thanks for the thread, ATC. Curious to know what your ob/mw say about them. Please keep us updated. How far along are you? Do you carry high or low?

 

[ATC]

Spoke to the midwife and she was unconcerned. Said they were very common and that she would calculate my risk factor to see if I need clexane. Back in 3 weeks so will find out then.

I'm 28 weeks with #2 who is breech at the minute. My first lo was a big baby and quite a traumatic birth so no time sure if the damage caused there has led to the problem this time.

 

[AnonymousCAT]

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[Dogtanian]

Will the clexane be for use after the baby is born?
I had to have it after a c section last time.
Im starting to think maybe i should mention it to my midwife,but they are so uninterested in anything i have to say,and just fob you off to a doctor.
My LO is also breech,and i had nothing like this in my first pregnancy

 

[ATC]

I assume so. I didn't ask. I had a haemorrhage after my emcs last time, so don't imagine they'd want to be thinning your blood out too much before surgery. I will ask more in 3 weeks when I'm back.

 

[NotNic]

ATC - I would think twice about accepting clexane. It's for treating suspected blood clots and varicose veins don't increase your risk for DVT, any more than your risk is increased by being pregnant. The problem with vulval ones tends to be either if they obstruct the vaginal passage in any way or if they are where an episiotomy would need to happen - which increases the possibility of a large bleed should you tear or need a cut. My sister had a suspected clot during her pregnancy (it was a trapped nerve causing numbness) and during labour they gave her clexane again, and she ended up with a huge bleed. Given you've already haemorrhaged in a previous labour you're already at an increased risk of it happening again anyway. Depending on your dose I think clexane stays in your system for around 12hrs, but if you don't have a confirmed clot I'd personally refuse and ask for a second opinion. GL!

 

[Beee]

Does anyone have any varicose veins internally? I have stupidly just been straining for a bowel movement and now feel very uncomfortable in my vagina, I'm wondering if I've caused a vaginal varicose vein, or made an existing one I didn't know about worse :/
Xx

 

[NotNic]

Piles are a form of varicose vein and they can be internal too. Given how lumpy they are and how swollen everything can get down there you may have internal piles. Equally though bearing down has probably caused extra pressure, making your veins swell in that are, leaving you with a bruised feeling. Chances are you're probably fine.