Hey everyone! I've had a fun new experience today and thought I'd share it here and get advice! I also wanted to share this just in case someone else is dealing with this and doesn't know what to do like I was at first!
I'm 32 weeks pregnant, and over the weekend I developed a bartholin cyst. For those who haven't had one before or don't know what it is, it's when the glands near the opening of the vagina get clogged for whatever reason and can't drain, so they start swelling and can get infected. Within a day it was the size of a large grape and painful with just existing. Luckily, I already had a prescheduled OB appointment for today, so they went ahead and looked at it while I was there.
Apparently bartholin cysts can be more common in pregnancy due to all the increased fluids and discharge and fun girly things ❤️ My OB offered two options for it: either I can do the warm water cloth method (holding a warm wet cloth to the area to try and promote drainage) and crash at my in-laws house to steal their bath (we only have a shower) and hope it drains, or I could get it drained in the office. Since it was so large and painful consistently, I chose the second option, and my OB went ahead and drained and cultured it while I was in the office. I was also concerned that it wouldn't drain in time and cause potential complications during childbirth (I know I'm only 32 weeks but I was born early so I'm worried about my daughter being born early too).
Let me tell you. Four shots of lidocaine straight to the lady door is NOT A FUN TIME. 0/10 Would not recommend. Didn't feel anything except some burning when they put in the wound catheter once those four shots actually kicked in though, so that was nice. Good thing I did it though because it was showing signs of infection, so I was able to get it cleaned out and started on pregnancy safe antibiotics. She inserted a drainage catheter in there as well to keep it open and let it drain while it heals, which will be in there for about a month.
If you have a particularly uncomfortable bartholin cyst show up during pregnancy, I definitely recommend getting it checked by your OB and take the option to get it surgically drained if they think it's necessary! It seems uncomfortable and concerning to go through the procedure during pregnancy, but it's important for us to keep ourselves healthy so our babies can be healthy!
Here's where I need some advice: for those who have dealt with this before, what's the best way to keep the area and catheter clean? Is just gently wiping it with soap and warm water when I shower enough, or do I need to do anything more? Should I whip out my peri bottle early to clean it with after I use the bathroom?