Help needed with Uni paper

Hello Ladies,

As part of my degree I get to do a women's health unit and need to write an assignment relating to a topic that is a current issue. I'm choosing vulval pain, so killing two birds with one stone, I pass the unit and educate myself on my stupid condition some more!

Its so difficult to find credible research though, especially for the UK (anyone know of the prevalence of vulval conditions in the UK?) If anyone knows of medical papers, clinical guidance or government policies relevant please let me know. I have looked in the research section and that was most helpful

I need to relate it to pregnancy also, has anyone ever gotten pregnant after diagnosis or has pregnancy been the cause of your pain?

Thank you!

Hey there,

You should talk to Julie Mann. She's doing a Masters in health. I'm not sure what her name is on here though. Are you on the FB group?

I have babies - big ones but mine started after surgery :\

hey i sufered with v before i had my daughter but didnt get diagnosed until after but i will be happy to help if i fit criteria ? xxx

I don't like in the UK but I have had VV all my life ( since early childhood) and have had two children via NVD. I am happy to help.

Its lovely to know that women can have children normally when diagnosed with vulval pain (even if it is post birth!)

If you feel comfortable (email me if you prefer) could you please give some more info.

What were your birth experiences like?
Did you receive pain relief?
Any complications post birth/did V get worse/better?
What input did you receive from midwives/obstetricians?

Doesn't have to be long or lengthy detail, whatever you feel comfortable in sharing

I am happy to share on the forum - the only people reading this will be people like myself so if I can help someone out then all the better

What were your birth experiences like?
In terms of the vulvodynia the births themselves were not too bad. My biggest fear was tearing and so I used a device called the Epi-No to stretch the perineum which I am sure helped a great deal. I also aimed to have waterbirths - which I did for my first child. My 2nd one was a bit more complicated so I had to get out of the bath but I spent a lot of time in there. I also took my own lubricant ( a natural one with no parabens/preservatives etc that I don't react to) so I didn't have to use the KY Jelly , I arranged that if I did need sutures they would not use betadine and use clorhex and then wash that off with sterile water, and they used powder free gloves. I spoke at length with the midwives about trying to minimize internal examinations during the birth. I had them at a mid-wife led birth center.
The pregnancy on the-other-hand was terrible!!! My largely controlled vulvodynia came back terribly and I had some of the worst episodes of it that i have ever had!!
Also interesting to note - the pain that I felt immediately after the birth was exactly like a really bad vulvodynia episode with the stinging and burning which I think is normal for all women - so vulvodynia can be as painful as having a baby!

Did you receive pain relief?
TENS machine in early labour.
Gas at the later stages

Any complications post birth/did V get worse/better?
My vulvodynia improved incredibly after the birth/s. The best it has ever been.

What input did you receive from midwives/obstetricians?
Minimal input from the staff - I had to inform them more about the condition and request the various things that where put in place. I come from a health background which helped.

Also to note - my babies where quite large at 8.3lbs ( 3.7kg) and 9.5lbs ( 4.32kg).