Vulvar swelling during late pregnancy

Because the belly begins to grow larger during pregnancy, it is very inconvenient for pregnant women to wash their lower body. Gynecological inflammatory diseases are very likely to occur at this time. When swelling of the vulva occurs, two factors should be considered: physiological edema and pathological edema. You need to go to the hospital for examination based on the factors. If there is inflammation, timely treatment is required.

What exactly is edema?

Physiological edema

Edema during pregnancy can be divided into two types: physiological and pathological. The so-called physiological edema is caused by pregnancy, that is, there is no disease in the body, but it is a physiological phenomenon caused by pregnancy.

Causes of Physiological Edema

Physiological edema is the result of many factors, including anatomical changes after pregnancy, blood circulation, hormonal changes, etc. From an anatomical point of view, pregnant mothers all know that the pregnancy process is a process in which the fetus grows from small to large, and the pregnant mother's belly also becomes larger and larger. During the first three months of pregnancy, the uterus is located in the pelvic cavity, which has a certain amount of space and contains the bladder and rectum. At this time, it mainly affects the bladder and rectum, and symptoms such as frequent urination and constipation will appear. As the pregnancy progresses, the uterus moves out of the pelvic cavity and into the abdominal cavity. As the fetus grows larger, it occupies more and more space in the abdominal cavity. The movable organs in the abdomen will make room for the uterus, while the immobile organs and tissues, such as blood vessels, will be compressed by the uterus. Blood vessels are divided into arteries and veins. Arteries supply blood downward, have high arterial pressure, thick blood vessel walls, and are less affected by the pressure of the uterus. However, the veins from the lower limbs that return blood to the heart are different. They have low blood pressure, slow flow rate, thin venous walls, and large intra-abdominal venous lumens. They are easily compressed by the enlarged uterus, causing blood return to be obstructed, leading to edema of the lower limbs, vulva, abdominal wall, etc.

In terms of hormonal changes, estrogen causes water and sodium retention in the body. During pregnancy, the estrogen level in the pregnant mother's body increases greatly, causing an increase in water content in various tissues in the body and causing edema.

In terms of blood circulation, during pregnancy, the human body's plasma increases by 1000ml and red blood cells increase by 450ml, making the blood diluted. This also causes pregnant women to be prone to edema of the lower limbs, vulva, and even abdominal wall and whole body in the late pregnancy.

Vulvar swelling is physiological edema

The swelling of the vulva felt by pregnant women when urinating is also caused by compression of the veins and swelling of the local veins of the vulva. Due to the increased abdominal pressure during urination, the blood vessels are under increased pressure, the uterus moves downward, and the fetal head presses on the pelvic wall, causing a temporary obstruction in the venous return of the vulva, causing congestion of the vulvar veins, and leading to a feeling of swelling.

Physiological edema has no effect on the fetus

Many pregnant mothers are worried that physiological edema is caused by obstructed venous return, so will it have any impact on the fetus? In fact, since it is physiological, it is a natural phenomenon of pregnancy and has no effect on the fetus.

Edema is most likely to occur in late pregnancy

In the late stage of pregnancy (after 28 weeks), the uterus gradually enlarges and edema is likely to occur after compressing the inferior vena cava.

Physiological edema can return to normal after delivery

A few days after delivery, excess water in the body can be discharged through urination and heavy sweating, and the edema will subside.