Pregnant-Vaginal Swelling?

Published

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

* Note-This is not asking for medical advice!!*

My girlfriend and I were speaking about a friend who stated she is 8 month pregnant, has fibroids, placenta previa and will be having a C-section in a few days. She spoke of swelling of her labia. Anyhow, my friend and I have not experienced maternal health since graduating from school, so, we were shooting ideas between each other of why this may happen. I said I think it is due to the pressure of the fibroids, displaced placenta and baby causing vasodilation.

Has anyone seen this in their practice, and if so, why does this happen? I searched my textbooks and didn't see this written, and so did she.

Thanks...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

google vercose veins.

TMI....I had them from my ankles up. They hurt. The biggest thing my doc told me to do is stay off you feet and lie on your left side. Worse part was that he showed me a picture of them at the office. (you know how the docs have those picture binder things in the office for teaching?)

It is common for women to have these when pregnant. Some worse than others.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Varicose veins can cause swelling on the labia. I'm not a nurse yet, but it happened to me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, CVICU.

I'm not sure the pathophysiology of the swelling but i'm pretty sure it is common in pregnancy and probably not related to the previa or the fibroids. I'm not an expert in maternal health so maybe someone else can weigh in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, ED.

its likened to dependent edema. It might get a little worse after she delivers when she has the postpartum fluid shift but if she is worried she should see her doc.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
its likened to dependent edema. It might get a little worse after she delivers when she has the postpartum fluid shift but if she is worried she should see her doc.

I can accept that. Sounds practical. She will be going in this week for a C-section, anyhow, since she has so many complications. This made me start to rethink my maternal health class.

Thanks, everyone for your input. I like tossing medical ideas around. It makes me think.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion