This is my third pregnancy. I had varicose veins appear in my vulva (just the right side) during my second pregnancy as well though not as early as they have shown up this time. I guess that is how it happens. If you get them once, you will get them sooner and worse than you did before. So beside the fact that they are extremely painful--I can barely walk or stand for long periods at at time (though walking fast is ok as the blood doesn't have time to pool, it is just getting pumped right through). I already have one of those wretched bands that I wear. It does help with the pain but it chafes everywhere else. Ok, enough complaining. The other problem is how they look--DISGUSTING. I am lucky not to have any in my legs (yet--I suppose some could appear in the next 3 months). During my second pregnancy, they disappeared the minute the baby was born. Phew! I am wondering if anyone has had them NOT disappear after giving birth? Since they are worse this time, I have a fear that they won't be able to shrink back as well this time. I think I would faint. Let me know. Sorry about TMI.
I just wanted to add something about the chafing since everything else seems to be covered already.
Go to a running store or triathlon store and pick up some Body Glide or Tri glide. The stuff is amazing!! It is made to prevent chafing while running or competing and I swear it's like magic. If you don't have a place near you, look it up online. :)
Also had a friend get them with both of her pregnancies, they went away for her although the second time around I think it took about a week before she was completely convinced they were completely gone.
She bought a lot of icepacks I know.. she bought about a half dozen and switched them off during the day.. even wore them in her underwear if she was going to be up and about.
My sister had really bad varicose veins in her crotch. This was her 4th pregnancy so they were really bad for her. She was uncomfortable the entire pregnancy. Hers did go away though, so I'm pretty sure yours would to.
A good friend of mine had a horrible one right outside of her vagina during her 2nd pregnancy. It DID go away though as soon as she gave birth! I've never heard of them lingering after the baby is born.
Girl, wear them as a badge of honor! If they hurt fix them, by all means, if not, look at them as one of your babies......I have them too, my leg is not too pretty anymore, use to have tons of compliments on my legs but after the third baby, not so much, in the whole scheme of things as long as you love you and your husband is happy with you, wear ALL of you well! It could be worse! I am sure you have far more important things to worry about! And you are perfect the way God made you.....
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Girl, wear them as a badge of honor! If they hurt fix them, by all means, if not, look at them as one of your babies......I have them too, my leg is not too pretty anymore, use to have tons of compliments on my legs but after the third baby, not so much, in the whole scheme of things as long as you love you and your husband is happy with you, wear ALL of you well! It could be worse! I am sure you have far more important things to worry about! And you are perfect the way God made you.....
Ice packs?
Staying off your feet?
Putting your feet up frequently?
More ice packs?
DO NOT WORRY! I had then appear (only right side too) around 30 weeks with #1, around 9 weeks (yes 9 weeks) with #2, and I can just notice it starting to bother me at a little over 14 weeks with #3. It went away each time...even though with #2 it was bigger, badder and earlier than the first time. I know what you mean about the wretched band (V2 Supporter I am assuming you are talking about) chafing everywhere else. Consider wearing biking shorts UNDER it and then your pants. I think it would help. I am considering that this time around. I also wear support hose -- just ones I bought online at Amazon.com - Gabrialla Maternity Support Stockings. I find that they help blood supply and flow period. I have only 1 varicose vein in my leg (got it when I was 14 and got hit so HARD with a softball during fast pitch that it permanently damaged the blood vessels). I am not overweight and am extremely active (run and do circuit training classes and weightlifting 4-6 days a week). It doesn't really seem to matter.
I feel for you! I hate the darn throbbing feeling "down there" and they really are UGLY. I would love go for a bikini wax but I fear skin and bleeding actually....not to mention someone actually having to see them.
Best wishes!
At least you know what they are and that they will probably go away. I had pain and couldn't stand long just like you described during most of my 2nd pregnancy and only on one of the last visits before my son was born did my doctor say oh you have some big veins down here. They went away right after the birth, but when I get my period, sometimes they do come back for the first couple of days. I think it may be an inherited trait because my mom always was the same way.
