What is Vaginal Pain During Pregnancy?

Elna

Vaginal pain during pregnancy? It’s a real thing….

You peed on the stick…

You waited the longest 3 minutes ever…

Congratulations, you’re pregnant!

Finding out you’re pregnant can be one of the most joyous moments of your life.

I know, there are about a thousand different thoughts that go through your mind when that little blue positive shows up.

You think about names, nursery decor, all the cute little clothes you get to register for, and feeling your baby kick for the first time.  

Then there is the other side of the coin.

What about all the discomforts, aches, and pains that come with pregnancy – like vaginal pain during pregnancy?

Pregnancy Is Not Always Fun

Even though there are so many joys that come along with your first pregnancy, there are also so many uncertainties.

Growing another human is a lot of work and takes a lot out of the mommy to be. I should know – pregnant with twins!

But let’s get real here mama, pregnancy is not all sunshine and rainbows. It can also be uncomfortable, painful, and long. Not all women experience aches and pains during pregnancy, but it is also not uncommon for just about everything to hurt during the next 9 months.

You might be wondering, is vaginal pain during pregnancy normal?

If and when you are experiencing pain of any kind you should always consult your doctor to come up with a care plan that is personalized to you and always be sure to check with your doctor before taking any over the counter pain medications.

But in the meantime, let’s discuss all the not so fun stuff that comes along with this joyous occasion.

Vaginal Pain During Pregnancy

1. Lightening Crotch During Pregnancy

Weird things happen when you’re pregnant. Like that Dorito and peanut butter sandwich you secretly had for lunch yesterday (don’t worry, we don’t judge around here). There are some weird and very uncomfortable things that happen in your lady parts during these wonderful 9 months.

If you are further along in your pregnancy you may have experienced a sharp, shooting pain in your vagina for no apparent reason. This is called lightening crotch (I guess it’s a pretty accurate term).

It can be caused by a variety of things such as…

  • The baby dropping into position for birth
  • Hormonal levels changing
  • Nerve pain
  • The baby moving
  • Low magnesium levels

Even though these intense vaginal pains might seem like early labor pains, lightening crotch is not necessarily indicative of the start of labor.

However, if you are experiencing a lot of vaginal pain or any kind of bleeding or abnormal discharge, you should consult your doctor immediately.

If you are in your third trimester and getting close to your due date you may experience more vaginal pain as your cervix dilates.

Relief From Lightening Crotch

Going to the chiropractor during your pregnancy is a good idea all around. Growing your little bundle of joy puts a lot of pressure on your back and all the nerves connected to it. Getting regular chiropractic adjustments during your pregnancy can help to relieve some of the associated nerve pain in your whole body.

Also incorporate some regular exercise and stretching. Exercise is good for you and your baby so keep it up (or start). And, continue this exercise as a way to start losing that baby weight.

Wear a belly band. These are great to help support your growing tummy and keep relieve pressure on your back and nerves.

Another thing you can take is a magnesium supplement like this high-absorption one. Magnesium can help improve sleep and to relieve tension in your body.

2. Sciatica Nerve Pain During Pregnancy

Sciatica pain is probably one of the worst pains associated with vaginal pain during pregnancy that woman can experience. It can range anywhere from a constant, dull aching to excruciating pain so bad you can hardly walk.

The sciatic nerve essentially connects your spinal cord to the lower half of your body through your butt, thigh and down to your foot. 

Normally sciatica pain would be caused by a compressed spinal disk, EXCEPT during pregnancy.

Sciatica pain shows up during pregnancy in many women due to an increase in the pregnancy hormone relaxin. Also because your baby puts pressure on the nerve, so expect it to worsen as the 9 months go on.

If you’re not already familiar with the relaxin hormone, it’s the essential pregnancy hormone that helps your body, specifically your pelvis, accommodate growing your baby in preparation for birth.

Symptoms of sciatica pain often include shooting pain down your side or leg, numbness or the pins and needles sensation in your leg or foot, and pain that might also get worse with sitting or standing. 

Relief From sciatica pain

If you sit most of the day, you might want to invest in an ergonomic seat cushion. These help to relieve pressure on your lower spine.

You can also use a heating pad and cold compress interchangeably.

And of course, there is always the classic pregnancy pillow. NO pregnant woman should be without this! It is SO comfortable!

3. Back Pain During Pregnancy

If you ever had back pain before you were pregnant, sorry to say, it’s only going to get worse now.

Many, many women experience back pain during pregnancy and can be caused by numerous things that feels like vaginal pain during pregnancy.

Weight gain during pregnancy can contribute to back pain, especially if you gain quite a bit of weight. It puts more strain on your back, thus causing more pain. It is more so if you are already overweight. 

Changes in your posture and your growing belly also put a strain on your spine and can also cause back pain.

Good, old-fashioned stress! Often times stress can manifest itself physically causing tension and back pain. Pregnancy is no exception.

Relief from back pain

Kinesiology tape placed on the back or belly can help to redistribute some pressure helping to relieve some back pain.

If you are sitting for long periods of time a padded seat cushion might also help.

4. Round Ligament Pain During Pregnancy

Round ligament pain is a cramping, sharp, or stabbing pain felt on both or one side of the lower belly or groin region.

And yes, this does contribute to vaginal pain during pregnancy! Oh, the glorious time pregnancy is!

The pain is often felt when changing positions or sudden changes in body tension caused by sneezing, coughing, or sneezing. It can last for several hours and often is felt in the second and third trimesters as your baby continues to grow.

In addition to your growing baby, there are other reasons why you might experience round ligament pain. Such as excessive stress on the body from exercise or walking or increased blood flow to the surrounding areas.

Relief From Round Ligament Pain

Prenatal yoga is a great option to help keep your tummy muscles active. Just make sure you are listening to your body and if you are experiencing round ligament pain, it might be best to avoid exercise at that moment.

Also trying to avoid sudden movements and switching your positioning slowly can help to reduce the pain.

Flexing your hips before coughing, sneezing, our laughing (if possible) can also help in avoiding a ligament pull.

Lastly, a warm bath or heating pad can be used to help with the pain. Just make sure your bath or heating pad is not too warm as to harm the baby. 

5. Leg and Hip Pain During Pregnancy

When you are pregnant, everything in your body changes and just about everything seems to hurt at one point or another. Hip pain during pregnancy is just another one to add to the list of ailments and vaginal pain during pregnancy you will probably have over the next 9 months.

Hip pain during pregnancy is caused by the loosening of the ligaments that connect the spine to the pelvis.

Hip pain can also be caused by our old friend the relaxin hormone, which helps to loosen everything up in preparation for the baby, meaning more aches and pains for mama.

Sciatica and hip pain can also go hand in hand.

Round ligament pain can also lead to increased hip pain.

An increase in weight gain can also put a heavy (no pun intended) burden on your already changing body. Improper posture and sleeping on your side for long periods of time withouth proper support can also lead to hip pain.

Leg pain during pregnancy can often occur at night, resulting in Charlie horses, which SUCK!

Leg pain can be caused by many things. Standing or sitting for too long, lack of blood flow, or experienced in conjunction with the dozens of other pains during your pregnancy.

Also, if you are already overweight and are gaining a lot during pregnancy your legs have more to support, leading to greater leg pain.

Relief from Leg and Hip Pain

Sleeping on your side with your legs and knees bend and supported by pillows is often helpful. Again, a pregnancy pillow can be a lifesaver!  

Prenatal massages can also be quite effective for just about any pain you might experience. I mean, if you really need an excuse to get a massage while pregnant, you might as use it right!

If working out has become too difficult on your hips and legs later in your pregnancy, you might want to try water workouts. I know, when I think water aerobics, I think old ladies in swim caps, but hey, if it helps, then why not right?!

Staying off of your feet as much as possible. I know this can be difficult if you have a job where you are standing all day, so do what you can.

Two other supplements to consider taking (in addition to your prenatal vitamins) are iron and calcium. Charlie horses are often caused by iron deficiencies and we all know calcium helps support bone health.

But again, consult your doctor before taking any over the counter supplements or medications.

And of course, rest! If this is your first pregnancy, milk it for all you can! (I mean that in the best way possible). Get the rest while you can before your little one is keeping you up all night.

Tips for Less Vaginal Pain During Pregnancy

Every pregnancy is different and every women is different. Being pregnant with twins came with it’s own complications and pain like back pain and painful heartburn.

For first time pregnant moms, knowing that vaginal pain during pregnancy is just another run of the mill normal association that comes with growing a human should help you adjust to this new pregnant life.

Below are a re-cap of the pain management essentials if you are experiencing vaginal pain:

Cherish Your Time Being Pregnant

Being pregnant really is a wonderful time. Your skin glows, your hair is lustrous and you know that your bundle of joy is coming home soon.

Experiencing vaginal pain during pregnancy doesn’t have to last. With some minor adjustments and products, you can have less pain in less time!

Over to you – have you experienced pain during pregnancy? How did you remedy this?

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Elna is a mom to twins who blogs and writes for a living. She loves all things mom. While she’s not blogging, you can find Elna meal planning, organizing and helping other moms in her Facebook group, Ready Set Blog for Traffic (From Mom to Mompreneur). →