How worried should I be?

[porenn]

ladies-

I have been searching for information obout vaginal varicosities... the only information that I have found is about ones that start during oregnancy- they are usually not a problem and they usually resolve after the baby is born.
They also seem to be fairly small/

My question is this: what if you have had one for several years?

I have an area on my labia/outer vagina that my husband and I call "the bulgy spot". It comes and goes: appearing when there is increased blood flow to the area. When it is there, it is a hard knot about the size of a superball, when it goes away it leaves a pocket behind. I can usually push it aside, sort of tuck it away behind a bone- almost like forcing it to resolve itself. It shows up during sex, when I'm doing standing yoga positions, and times like right now when I'm sitting crosslegged on the sofa. When I first asked my OB/gyn about it three years ago, she brushed it off likeit was no big deal...and did the same thing the next year when I asked her again. It wasn't until I got pregnant and asked the midwife about it, did she tell me she thought it might be a varicose vein.

My question is, how worried should I be about it? Is it something that has been there so long that it won't move off to the side when I give birth? Is it something so big it will pop when the baby's head squishes it? What should I do about it, if anything? Would it be something that would rule out a vaginal birth for me?

Any input would be very appreciated.

Oh- the midwife did say it might be something I might want to have looked at and fixed after I have the baby.....

thanks ladies.

Also, I'm giving birth in a birth center right across the parking lot from the hospital, if that is info you need.

-Porenn

[bcrn]

i have seen quite a few vaginal labial varicosities as a bc rn. they tend to swell like everything else when you give birth,lots of ice dont sit cross legged, sometimes support under garmentshelp with the tenderness.

[momileigh]

Here's a list of possible remedies I found:

http://www.mommyguide.com/modules.ph...article&sid=53

Here's a standard prescription for vein issues from the bc where I trained: one a day each of Rutin and Vit. E.

ETA: I doubt there's anything to worry about. Whether it popped up during pregnancy, or has been there a while, I don't think it increases your risks of having problems. If it were especially worrisome, I assume your mw would have consulted/referred you to an OB. After all, she has seen it and evaluated it, and presumably is not worried.