Pregnancy Symptoms & Complaints: Vaginal Pain

This may be your cervix dilating as your body prepares for labor. Find out what causes vaginal pain at the end of pregnancy and how to feel better.

By the editors of Parents magazine from Parents Magazine

What causes vaginal pain in pregnancy?

What you may be experiencing: Late in pregnancy, you may feel pain inside the vagina- usually a sharp, piercing pain that comes and goes suddenly. What you're feeling, most likely, is your cervix dilating, or opening, as it prepares for the passage of your baby. Dilation can take place several weeks or just hours before labor begins. Normally, it's not cause for concern, but you should tell your healthcare provider about it. If the pain occurs in your lower abdomen, call your practitioner immediately.

What relieves vaginal pain in pregnancy?

What helps: Try relaxing in a warm shower or bath. And remember that the pain is a signal that your baby is well on its way!

All content on this Web site, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.