Pulsing Feeling in Vag During Pregnancy Means? Learn from a Mom

Have you ever had a pulsing feeling in your vag during pregnancy? Being pregnant has many bizarre effects on our bodies. The obvious is of course your expanding waistline and fuller breasts but it’s the little things we start to notice that can fill us with dread or just add to the oddities of being pregnant.

Pulsing Feeling in Vag During Pregnancy – My Vag has a Heartbeat!

What’s with that Pulsating feeling in vag during pregnancy?!

Having a pulsating feeling in your vag during pregnancy is totally normal. Your body increases its blood flow to support your pregnancy which is the reason for the heartbeat sensation downstairs. Your arteries in your vag run into overdrive as they deal with this increased volume. More blood in and around your vulva can also unleash a heightened sex drive during pregnancy.

Microbiome Changes: The Vaginal Community Evolves

During pregnancy, the tiny community of microorganisms living inside your vag undergoes significant alterations. This diverse ecosystem plays a pivotal role in maintaining vaginal health. You might be surprised to learn that during pregnancy, there’s a shift with fewer Lactobacillus species dominating and a rise in alpha-diversity. In simpler terms? Your vag sees more varied types of bacteria during pregnancy than other times. And guess what? This transformation is believed to shield both you and your baby from infections.

Vag with a Heartbeat (Pulsing)!

As your body and mind work tirelessly to support your new lodger you can be subjected to feeling a little more vulnerable, jumping at anything that could feel out of the ordinary.

Expectant moms place any new niggle, feeling, or sensation under the microscope hence why a throbbing feeling in vag during pregnancy can unleash a bode of concern.

In this article, we will endeavor to understand why your vagin’a has a newly found heartbeat and other common concerns you may feel in your vag during pregnancy.

Physical and Hormonal Changes: More than Meets the Eye

You’ve probably noticed your vagina and vulva turning a shade more purplish. Blame it on the increased blood volume during pregnancy! Additionally, certain regions in the pelvic area, like where the bladder connects to the urethra, change their position due to the baby’s pressure on the pelvic floor muscles. And let’s not forget the hormone allopregnanolone. This hormone escalates during pregnancy, with a significant role in maintaining it and prepping your body for the grand finale – childbirth.

Vag’inal Pressure

Feeling pressure can occur in any trimester of pregnancy in early pregnancy, symptoms of pressure will originate in an already expanding uterus. Even though it will be safely nestled behind your pubic bone, the first 13 weeks of pregnancy is when Relaxin (the pregnancy hormone) supports the implantation process.

With Relaxin being highest in the first trimester you can expect some pressure felt down below.

As your pregnancy progresses through the second and third trimesters your body will expand and stretch which can take its toll on your pelvis and ligaments and can lead to a number of issues including pelvic girdle pain and muscular spasms.

Pulsing Feeling in Vag Early Pregnancy

Feeling a pulse in your v’agina, especially during your first trimester can be the result of pressure from your uterus.

As your arteries carry more blood around the body it is only normal for you to experience this pulse in sporadic sequences. What you are actually feeling is the increased blood flow being pumped through your arteries.

Pulse points are typically in your neck and wrist because it is easier to locate from the main arteries. When a woman falls pregnant the extra blood volume going through the vag can create extra pulse points, hence the beat you may sometimes feel between your legs.

Sex Drive During Pregnancy

On the topic of extra blood flow it is important to see how these pulsating feelings can affect our sexual urges whilst pregnant.

The hike in hormones and blood flow can make your vulva sensitive which for some women may make sex more desirable. Personally, I was the opposite, there’s something about daily nausea and morning sickness that made sex the last thing on my mind!

As you reach the second trimester you may feel desperate to get your partner to bed, don’t worry this is totally normal. In fact, the pulsating in pelvic area during pregnancy can increase the desire of an orgas`m even more. The increased blood being pumped around the body also makes it easier for pregnant women to climax. With sex during pregnancy deemed as safe (providing you are low-risk) there’s nothing stopping you from having some fun before you have a little human calling the midnight shots!

Sexual desires are personal to each individual woman whilst pregnant. As the pulsing in your privates can be sporadic you may find it off-putting especially if you are completing mundane tasks like the laundry etc.

Lightning Crotch

Now we take you to the well-known term ‘Lightning Crotch.’

Feeling a pulse in your vag isn’t necessarily a pain but there can be times when it is uncomfortable. As we have discovered your body is hard at work supporting your baby’s development and growth. With the added pressure, hormones, and blood flow many pregnant women report sharp lightning like pains in their crotch or vagin’as.

Typically these pains are thought to be caused by nerves becoming compressed much like the arteries. Lightning crotch can develop as your uterus expands. As your baby begins to move around he/she is totally unaware of the nerves that can stop mom in her tracks. The sad news is the bigger your baby gets the space they have becomes smaller making these sharp stabbing pains more intense.

You may have heard the term ‘dropping.’ This is when your baby is beginning their descent into your pelvis in preparation for birth. The fact that you could have a 7 pound or more human now sitting in your pelvis can exacerbate the pulsating feelings or give you more intense pains as they compress the nerves in this area.

Pelvic Floor

If they haven’t done so already your doctor may be explaining to you the importance of pelvic floor exercises. Your pelvic floor is a band of muscle responsible for supporting your bladder, it acts like a hammock from your pubic bone to your tailbone.

The stress carrying a baby has on this muscle can make it weaken leaving you afraid to sneeze or cough in public. Let me be the one to tell you ladies that an impromptu sneeze in the grocery aisle whilst 8 months pregnant is enough to scare these exercises into your routine.

There is no scientific evidence that these exercises can help lessen the pulsing feeling in your vag during pregnancy but if common sense proves to be correct the tighter these muscles are the less pressure you may feel on your overly filled arteries.

Not only will strengthening these muscles help with the pulsing but they will help your continence and recovery after birth.

Making pelvic floor exercises a part of your routine is easy and no one will know when you are doing it so give it a go!

Firstly you need to squeeze your anus muscles and vag – as if you’re holding in a wee.
Hold for around 8 – 10 seconds and rest for 10 seconds.
Doing just three sets of this per day can boost your pelvic floor dramatically.

If you find 8 seconds too long just try for as long as you can as with any muscle it will get stronger and easier to hold even if you do have a mini version of you jumping around inside.

My routine started in my second trimester, feeling heavy pressure in my pelvis from early on. I knew that these muscles would need exercise or I was at risk of a public accident. My rule of thumb was, and still is, whenever I stopped at traffic lights I would complete a set.

Regular Check-ups: A Must-Do!

Pregnancy is a journey, and you want to ensure you and your baby are safe every step of the way. Regular prenatal check-ups can ensure that your vaginal health remains optimal, and any concerns are addressed promptly.

Home Remedies

Whether the pulsing is getting annoying, or you literally feel like your crotch has lightning bolts inside check out a few at home help tips to ease you back into comfort.

Positions- standing or sitting in one position for too long can make the feelings more intense. The pressure your nerve endings are under from the extra weight can cause your arteries to vibrate so keeping active and swapping positions can lessen the pressure your bump may be causing.

Bath – taking a long soak in a warm bath can relax your muscles not only in your vag but your hips, groin, legs, stomach and back will thank you for giving them the rest bite they need from gravity. You feel weightless in water which is why a bath can help relieve these pressures.

Support bands – I used my support bands religiously in my second pregnancy. My bump just felt as if it was literally on the cusp of falling out! Having a support aid helped with my ligament pain and the muscular discomforts I felt during my third trimester.

Should I See a Doctor About the Pulsing Feeling in My Vag?

As with any concerns, you should always seek medical attention if you are at all concerned with anything in your pregnancy.

The pulsing, as we have determined, is very normal and can start from your first trimester. If you are struggling to cope with the pressures of pregnancy be it physically or emotionally then help is readily available.

Maintaining Optimal Vaginal Health During Pregnancy

Pregnancy brings about its set of challenges, including the need to keep your vaginal health in prime condition. With the change in your vaginal microbiome, it’s crucial to strike a balance:

Hygiene Habits: While cleanliness is vital, overdoing it might disrupt the vaginal microbiota’s natural balance. So, tread carefully!
Dodge Those UTIs: Lactobacillus species, found in some probiotics, can be your shield against ascending bladder infections.
The Power of Probiotics: Using probiotics, especially those with Lactobacilli, could help maintain that delicate vaginal balance, relieving symptoms like itching or swelling during pregnancy.
Diet and Exercise: Incorporate fruits, veggies, and high-protein dairy into your diet. And don’t forget to engage in regular low-intensity exercises, which can help alleviate pregnancy-related discomforts. Have you tried pelvic floor exercises yet? They can bolster those muscles that face significant strain during pregnancy and delivery.

Wrapping Up

A pulsing feeling in your vag during pregnancy we discovered that you are not the only one to feel this bizarre effect of pregnancy. In fact, with all that is going on inside from your expanding uterus, the weight of your baby and placenta, and the hormones giving your ligaments and muscles a nine-month holiday there’s no wonder your arteries may feel compressed.

The beating is the increased blood flow being pushed through and whilst this is a normal process we become more in tune and aware of the many changes in our bodies whilst being pregnant.

Remember to exercise those pelvic floor muscles as this in turn will help relieve the pressure off your bladder.

Key Takeaways: Pulsing & Throbbing Feeling In Vag During Pregnancy

Pulsing feeling in vag during pregnancy is normal due to increased blood flow.
This sensation can sometimes lead to heightened sex drive.
The feeling is due to arteries carrying more blood in the vaginal area.
‘Lightning crotch’ refers to sharp pains in the vagina, caused by nerves being compressed.
Pelvic floor exercises can help with muscle strength and pressure relief.

FAQs

What triggers the increased blood flow during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the body undergoes various changes to support the growing fetus. One of the significant changes is the increase in blood volume to supply the baby with necessary nutrients. This rise in blood volume ensures both the mother and the fetus receive adequate oxygen and nutrients.

How is ‘Relaxin’ hormone related to pulsing feelings?

Relaxin is a hormone produced during pregnancy that prepares the body for childbirth. Its primary role is to relax the uterus muscles, preventing contractions in early pregnancy. Additionally, Relaxin loosens the pelvic ligaments and cervix. This softening of ligaments might contribute to the sensations or pressure pregnant women feel, especially in the vaginal area.

Why do some women experience heightened sensitivity in their vulva during pregnancy?

With increased blood flow and hormonal changes during pregnancy, the vulva and vagina can become more engorged and sensitive. This heightened sensitivity can sometimes result in a stronger sexual urge, although it varies from woman to woman.

Is the pulsing sensation constant throughout pregnancy?

No, the pulsing sensation in the vag isn’t consistent for all women or throughout the entire pregnancy. While some women might experience it more prominently in the first trimester due to the rush of hormones and increased blood flow, others might notice it sporadically or in connection with certain activities or positions.

What is pelvic girdle pain and how is it related to pulsing feelings?

Pelvic girdle pain is discomfort arising from the pelvic region, particularly during pregnancy. As the body goes through changes, the pelvis, ligaments, and muscles can be affected, leading to pain. The increased pressure, combined with hormonal changes, can contribute to pulsing feelings or sensations in the vaginal area.

What can pregnant women do to alleviate the sensation or discomfort from lightning crotch?

Stay active: Moving around can help reduce the pressure in certain areas.
Practice good posture: Proper alignment can alleviate unnecessary strain.
Warm baths: This can relax the muscles, providing relief.
Pelvic exercises: Strengthening the pelvic region can help reduce discomfort.

How does ‘baby dropping’ relate to pulsing sensations?

When the baby “drops,” it means they’re settling into the pelvis in preparation for birth. This shift can put more pressure on the pelvic region, leading to increased pulsing sensations, and sometimes intensifying the feeling due to the added weight and compression of arteries.

Can pulsing feelings be a sign of any complications?

While the pulsing sensation is usually a normal part of pregnancy due to increased blood flow, sudden and severe pain or discomfort should not be ignored. It’s essential to be aware of other symptoms accompanying the pulsing, like bleeding or severe cramps, as they could indicate other conditions.

Why is the pelvic floor so crucial during pregnancy, and how does it affect the pulsing sensation?

The pelvic floor muscles support various organs, including the bladder, uterus, and bowels. During pregnancy, the added weight and pressure can strain these muscles, leading to feelings of heaviness or pulsing. Strengthening the pelvic floor can help alleviate some of this pressure, reducing the intensity of pulsing sensations.

How does one differentiate between normal pulsing sensations and other potential issues during pregnancy?

While the pulsing sensation due to increased blood flow is common, pregnant women should be attuned to their bodies. If the pulsing is accompanied by other symptoms like severe pain, bleeding, or sudden swelling, it could indicate more serious issues and warrant a deeper investigation.