Question:
I am having a rather embarassing varicose vein problem. I think I've had the veins for at least a few weeks now, but two weeks ago they were brought to my attention when I was "spotting," and they were blamed as a possible reason, and now for the last few days they have been causing me pain. Anyway, as if my "spotting" reference didn't make it obvious, these are not leg veins, they are in the vulvar area. They are large, unsightly, and very painful -- like a very bad bruise or maybe a cut/scrape would feel. I have found I cannot walk for more than 5 or 10 minutes without the pain forcing me to stop, and sitting for long periods of time (which I -have- to do -- my job is a "desk job.") causes problems, too. So, three questions: 1) Can this cause any problems? I read there could be problems with excessive bleeding during childbirth, and with adequate bloodflow to the rest of my body and baby during pregnancy. 2) Are there treatment options? I read that I should avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time, but like I said, I have to sit at my job, there's no way around it. 3) Can I expect this to get worse through the rest of the pregnancy? It is my understanding that it's caused by the pressure of the baby -- it seems like since the baby will only get bigger, that this problem is only going to get worse. I am -really- unhappy and distressed by this problem. If anyone has any advice, I would really appreciate it. I know it's an embarassing subject.

Answer: -I can't help other than to see I really feel for you!! They must be so dam painful, poor you. I personally would get them checked out just the same as I would get any bad varicose veins checked. The doctor then may have a suggestion. -Regardless, they don't sound like varicose or spider veins, as those are in the legs or ankles. Are you meaning above the pubic area? are they possibly stretch marks? In my first pregnancy I had really bad stretch marks right above my pubic area & just below my 'bump'. When I got even bigger, they were sore alot because my tummy would fold over & would hurt & feel like a bruise. -No, varicose veins can happen anywhere veins are near the skin. It is not that uncommon for women to have varicose veins in the vagina or vulva (though they are sometimes called hemorrhoids there too). -Yup, they definitely are varicose veins. My OB identified them as such when I had my "spotting" issue (I had to get a pelvic exam -- yay). At that point, they were a bit smaller and not painful, though, so there wasn't any urgency, at least not as far as I was concerned, to do anything. I have another appointment on Monday, though -- maybe he'll have some options for me. I hope he has some wonderful "cure" !