How do female genitals change during pregnancy?

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1. Changes in the clitoris, vulva, vagina during pregnancy 1.1 Vaginal discharge during pregnancy is more abundant. A sudden increase in estrogen levels in a woman's body, can lead to the female genitals changing during pregnancy to adapt. This rapid hormone change causes the body to not have time to adapt and secretes a white discharge with a slightly pungent, transparent or slightly yellowish color called vaginal discharge more than usual. Moreover, hormone levels change, leading to an increase in physiological needs in women, and a lot of discharge can help the body regulate and solve physiological problems more easily.
In the late stages of pregnancy, more parts of the fetus will press on the pelvic area, causing more discharge. In the last week of pregnancy, mothers must pay attention when the discharge starts to mix with mucus and blood because it is very likely that you are about to enter the stage of labor.
Vaginal discharge during pregnancy is completely normal. However, the humid environment in the vagina during pregnancy is a favorable environment for bacteria, fungi, ... to grow, causing inflammation, so when the color, smell and amount of discharge change abnormally. Then mothers should not be subjective and should see a doctor for advice immediately, some common diseases such as:
Fungal infection: Yellow or green discharge, accompanied by redness, swelling in the vagina, pain when going to the toilet. Bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy: Itching and burning sensation when urinating, discharge with an unpleasant odor. When the intimate area is infected, it not only adversely affects the health of the mother and the development of the fetus, but also increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, amniotic infection or other postpartum diseases.
1.2 Change in size of the vulva during pregnancy During pregnancy, the amount of blood circulating in the body increases by about 50% to enhance the development of the fetus in the womb. This makes your labia majora, labia majora, and vagina appear swollen or bulging during pregnancy. But this phenomenon is normal.
Sometimes, you can also see that the large side lip may recede slightly, which can make the inner lip appear larger or exposed.
Also, labia and vaginal stretch during pregnancy can stimulate libido. At the same time, because the tissues in the vaginal wall are stretched, your partner will also feel more stimulation.

1.3 Change in color of clitoris, vulva, vagina during pregnancy Skin color on your inner and outer labia may temporarily darken to bluish or purplish color due to increased blood flow up, the veins under the skin dilate. This change is an early sign of pregnancy and should return to normal after delivery.
1.4 Varicose veins Varicose veins are quite common during pregnancy, including on the vulva (or external genitalia). Increased blood flow throughout the body can cause blood to pool in the pelvic area, dilating blood vessels and leading to blue, bumpy veins that are aggravated by prolonged standing, exercise, or sex. sex.
1.5 Thicker pubic hair Increased estrogen levels during pregnancy cause pubic hair to grow thicker. During this time, you should limit the impact on this sensitive area such as using hair removal cream or waxing to avoid unnecessary complications.
1.6 Vaginal Odor Changes During Pregnancy The pH of the vagina changes during pregnancy and can cause small changes in vaginal odor, making it a little more acidic.
Some pregnant women are simply more sensitive to odors, but unless there is vaginal itching or burning, there is nothing to worry about.

1.7 Vaginal farts (Vaginal farts) Vaginal farts (vaginal farts) is a phenomenon in which gas is released from a woman's vagina, sometimes forming a sound, like sniffing (passing) but no stench.
It's not a sign of bad things. But it's still not clear why pregnancy can make this happen more often, but it could be a combination of factors such as: growing belly, different sex positions, exercise and the pelvic floor muscles are under pressure for a long time.
1.8 Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy Up to 30% of women during the first 3 months of pregnancy have harmless bleeding. One of the causes is the increased blood supply in the uterus. However, when there is vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, it is best to go to the doctor as soon as possible because this can be a sign of threatened miscarriage, miscarriage and some other diseases.
2. How will the cervix during pregnancy change? The cervix is ​​a structure located at the back of the uterus that holds the fetus in the uterus until full term. The cervix during pregnancy acts as a door to keep the fetus safe and healthy, and it undergoes many changes throughout pregnancy.
Some cervical changes during pregnancy:
2.1 About position The cervix during pregnancy can be slightly higher, softer than normal especially towards the end of the first 3 months of pregnancy. However, the exact displacement varies between women. The softening of the cervix occurs due to the additional blood volume from the increase in estrogen in the body. It's just one of many steps your body takes to give your unborn baby the space it needs to develop normally.
2.2 In terms of density The cervix during pregnancy will be soft, or "ripe" by 12 weeks of gestation. As the cervix thickens, it produces more glandular cells to form the mucus plug needed to protect the fetus in the uterus.
2.3 The formation of cervical mucus plug during pregnancy The cervical mucus plug is opaque and dense, sealing the cervical opening, preventing re-fertilization and the penetration of factors that are most harmful to the fetus. reverse infection.
During labor, this mucus plug will come out with vaginal fluid with a little blood, the cervix at this time receives pressure and the contraction of the uterus will gradually dilate for the fetus to be born and then within a few days. minutes, it closes, with contractions of the uterus, helping to stop bleeding.

3. How does the body of the uterus change during pregnancy? The body of the uterus during pregnancy undergoes the most and most amazing changes in a mother's body.
Initially the uterus is about the size of an orange and deep in the pelvis, by about 12 weeks it is the size of a grapefruit and begins to pass out of the pelvis, by the second 3 months of pregnancy, the uterus is no longer lying It can no longer stay in the pelvis, and by the last months of pregnancy it can be the size of a watermelon, and the weight of the uterus can increase up to 20 times when not pregnant.
At the end of pregnancy, the uterus is longitudinally ovoid, extremely large at the top, extremely small at the bottom. When the fetus is large, the uterus will have a shape corresponding to the position of the baby lying inside such as: egg-shaped, heart-shaped, transverse...
Female genitals change during pregnancy is a big problem that signals the threat of miscarriage, miscarriage, inflammatory diseases of the private area, ... but it can also be just a very normal and common problem in all women.
At Vinmec International General Hospital, there is a package maternity service as a solution to help pregnant women feel secure because of the companionship of the medical team throughout the pregnancy. When choosing Maternity Package, pregnant women can:
The pregnancy process is monitored by a team of highly qualified doctors Regular check-ups, early detection of abnormalities The package pregnancy helps to facilitate convenient for the birthing process Newborns get comprehensive care

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.