vericose veins - in that spot?

[Waterdrinker]

After feeling like I fell on the bar of a boy's ten-speed bike for over a day, I called the drs office. The nurse said that I may have vericose veins in the labia/vaginal area. Sounds crazy. It feels like I'm being pulled apart. Hurts to get into my SUV, squat, tailor sit and at other times for no apparent reasons. This genrally aches for hours and makes me cranky. I'm only 19 weeks and was told that this was early to feel like this. Since I'm supposed to not stand or walk for long periods of time, I'm concerned about a decline in my physical activity. Also, how am I supposed to push out a baby if I feel like this now? And being intimate? Anyone else have this challenge? I was told to get some maternity support hose - they are so beautiful! Any ideas on what I can do to relieve my discomfort? Vaginal hemorrohoids - who knew?

[vwmama]

Well I got varicose veins everywhere early and it's not too early to have that happen. Mine began at 12 weeks. I have an old injury which is bad on one leg. I am taking bilberry (the berry, NOT the leaf) tablets. They are certainly helping A LOT!!!!!!!! I can't believe the difference in my leg since starting them a couple of months ago. I was taking 180mg a day, one after every meal but now I take 2 tablets (120mg total ) before bed, seperate from my iron as they could possibly interfere with iron absorbtion.

Do some research on the subject and see what you think. They are they only thing I could find safe in pregnancy and it was some blessed soul on here who told me about them!! They do not take away bad veins, but they most certainly reduce symptoms for me.

I also am ALWAYS wearing the thickest support hose by Jobst even though I am 8 mos pregnant and it's HOT HERE!!! I will not leave my bed without them because vericose veins only get worse and the heat causes swelling. I was a mess by 4 and 5 mos along.

Treat your self right and wear those dang support hose!! You can possible control how much worse they get.
Good Luck! :)

[Waterdrinker]

Thanks! I'll check it out. Made it through work yesterday with the support hose on although I think I need a bigger size. I'm not sure if it helped my discomfort "there" but I'll keep wearing them to see for sure. Good luck to you! Guess I can't complain about the heat & humidity in PA.

[KT Scribbler]

Oh, I hear ya! I'm 26 wks w/ #3 & suffering from the same thing. It hurts. Sex hurts (especially after) & so does going to the bathroom. I had it bad w/ dd #2 also (7 yrs ago) but not w/ dd #1 (12 yrs ago). It was worse last time because I would only wear loose clothing (like my dh's boxer shorts), whereas now I wear the most supportive cotton panties I've got. The sexy thongs & such will have to wait.
Just to ease your mind: even when I had labial vericose veins (or whatever they're called) the other time it did not affect the birth. All went perfectly (at home). I can't remember when the veins went down, but they must've. Even so, I recently asked my current midwife about how this condition might affect the birth, pointing out that I can't even use the potty, how will I push out a baby? She just told me not to worry, it won't be a problem. I would've pressured her for more reassurance, but since that was the case last time, I'm just taking her word for it.
Good luck! And thanks for the post; I'll probably try the bilberry now.
--KT

[vwmama]

The bilberry will help circulation but it's not a miracle. I have also been wearing the strongest hose 30-40 compression and the combination has helped. Sex is still a problem as it brings more blood to the bad areas and then it hurts for the rest of the day... My legs have been helped the most since starting the bilberry, can't say for sure how much it has improved the vaginal swelling but I know it has helped some and considering it hasn't worsened I'm happy. Nice to know it should all go away after delivery. :)

[anythingelse]

I hate to say this but IME nothing helps vaginal varicose veins. I had them so bad during my last pregnancy it was a major part of the reason I had my tubes tied. Can't sit, can't pee, can't have sex, moving hurts, even sitting in the car I had to sit on a doughnut cushion to drive. Mine did not go away after delivery, and I had them 'treated' to shrink them over a four month period. I have also had my legs done twice and have one spot now that is starting to bulge again on my calf and has the burst cappillaries so I know I will be heading back soon to have those injected and wrapped. I got prescription support underpants and that did help.
Also get the doughnut for sitting down on flat surfaces , do not cross your legs at all, and sleep on one side with a pillow between the knees to keep pressure off for comfort. We also got a bidet and I alternated hot and cold water sitz for relief and got a prescription strength analgesic spray for the vag area when I burned from urinating or clothes chafing.
IMHO 19 weeks is not too early to have them, they run in my family and most get them in frist trimester. Half the time they go away after baby on their own. Good luck to you!!

Mary
mom to ds 14 1/2, ds9, ds6, dd 3 1/2

[Wooby]

Kind of :OT , but anyway... I had a varicose vein in my placenta with dd. It burst during labor and caused a bit more bloody show than is normal. I certainly didn't hemorrhage, but did bleed more than usual. I have since heard that if you are prone to varicose veins there is more of a possibililty for this to happen. Just something to be aware of just in case so it doesn't freak anyone out (you or your midwife, ob, or dh!):eek

[twinkletoes]

um, if it's not varicose veins it could be pubic symphisis (sp?) pain - maybe something you did put your alignment out and the ol' jelly ligaments couldn't handle it?

you described how i felt at the worst of it, but it didn't come on in just one day. i'm sure you'll find out soon what's going on, but if it's not your veins then the pubic pain can be helped by chiropractor and massage re-allignment techniques. good luck!

[Waterdrinker]

Thanks, Twinkletoes. My dh is a ChiroHero - IMO- and has been adjusting me. Don't know what I'd do without him! I especially love the studies that say chiropractic patients have shorter labors. My first one certainly was - and relatively painless w/out medication. Looking forward to a fast second delivery. Hopefully w/out vaginal vericose veins!

[vwmama]

waterdrinker,
Can you elaborate on the chiro patients have shorter labors idea?
Thanks!

[spero]

I had a varicose vein "down there" w/ my last pgy...I had no idea you could get one there, either! :confused:

A maternity girdle/support belt helped ENORMOUSLY. Ugly contraption, but very effective.

It didn't affect the birth at all...I gave birth vaginally, with no meds.

[StarMama]

I have no idea what I have, but I've got the same pain as you... ice packs help SO much. Someone here on mothering gave me the idea to put a little bit of water on a pad and freeze it. Wrap it in a paper towel and wear it. Ahhhhh... And swimming helped SO much too. I felt SO much better afterwards!! Those two things are what I've found helpful so far so I thought I'd throw them out there...

[twinkletoes]

waterdrinker - what a nice, practical skill for a husband to have!!!

[Waterdrinker]

VWMAMA - Glad to give more info. In a nutshell-- Pregnancy causes a lot of muscular and skeletal changes, rather obvious, huh. Cute waddling, duck feet, and for me this past week, knee pain because of the widening of the hips and knees pointing inward. What a chiropractic adjustment can do is balance the pelvis which will balance the muscles & ligaments. This allows for even separation of the pelvis during delivery. The nervous system will be less irritated due to the balanced spine, therefore allowing for proper nerve supply to the reproductive system (uterus, placenta, fetus) throughout the entire pregnancy. I suppose that more information would need to go on a new thread.

Good news, my symptoms of the vericose veins are lessening a great deal. I'm hoping that I won't have to wear the support hose full time. Dh has been consulting with different DCs on more specific techniques. Afterall, "if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.":)