Vulvar Varicosities

Vulvar varicosities can be an extremely uncomfortable part of pregnancy. While it is possible to get them outside of pregnancy, this is when a lot of women will experience it. There are many things that can help:

DO’s

• Wearing compression in any form! There are pregnancy leggings that are compressive, pregnancy bike shorts, wearing compression socks and/or a V2 compression garment.

• Treat any constipation (straining does not help)

• Splint the vulva for bowel movements- press up toward your body on the tissue between your vaginal and anus and/or internally in the vagina

• Try sitting on a small rolled towel for compression

• Cold compresses - try making padsicles (frozen water on a urinary leakage pad)

• Leg elevation

• Massage from the bottom of the leg up to help or seek a professional who does lymphatic drainage

• Try child’s pose and child’s pose with your butt a little higher up in the air

• Exercises: ankle pumps, diaphragmatic breathing in side-lying

• Making sure that you are inhaling and exhaling during exercising

• Blow before you lift kiddos, groceries, car seats - INHALE, exhale, lift

DONT’S

• Avoid long periods of time standing (especially in one place)

• Sitting for very long periods of time- change your position!

• No prolonged sitting on the toilet

• No leg crossing

• Sit all the way back in your chair

• No tight elastic around the legs or waistband of clothes. Wide panels ok, nothing should be cutting off any circulation!

• Don’t stop moving! Our muscles are one of the best pumps we have in the body to get rid of swelling.