Vaginal Pain During Pregnancy at 34 Weeks: Causes & What to Do

Question
I am experiencing a "stabbing" intense pain in my vagina when I walk and move.  The pain is not constant but happens several times on a daily basis for the last 2 weeks or so.  When it happens, it takes me by suprise without warning, causing me to stop in my tracks and double over and I am unable to walk upright. This is my second pregnancy and I didn't experience anything like this with my first (he was breech throughout).  I telephoned my midwife who didn't seemed concerned at all and said I needed to sort myself out!  HOW? may I ask am I supposed to "sort myself out". I have visions of a footling presentation which I know is due to panic, but as I haven't received any answers from my midwife, I am imagining all sorts of horrors.  
Please could you throw some light on this for me?  Thank you

Answer
HI Andrea,

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

It does sound normal, just one of those pregnancy nerve pains, I would think the baby is probably sitting on a nerve or ligament somewhere and this is the result.

Your midwife does not sound very sympathetic!

Dont worry about a footling presentation. There is nothing you can do about the baby's position inside anyway, unless it is breech and you want to try putting frozen bags of peas on your belly to try to get the baby to shift... but at 34 weeks the baby still has plenty of time to shift and move and change position, so your pain could disappear any minute if he/she moves a foot or butt :-)

Besides, when you go into labor, you know the doctor/nurses will check you, and if there is any chance of a footling that will be addressed then. The worrying starts early and never stops, right? :-)

Plus, remember every pregnancy is different, no matter how well you know your body ( I learned this the hard way this last pregnancy)  so new aches and pains will crop up.

You will be just fine. I would talk to your midwife about your feelings though, she needs to be aware and be a bit more sympathetic. If you have a question she should answer it no matter what.

If you figure out how to sort yourself out let me know. I havent figured this out yet either. :-)

Good luck- you'll be just fine! Try some stretching and stay hydrated. Lots of water, and take walks or exercise if you are allowed to do so.

:-) andi