Katherine Ryan reveals she is suffering ‘blue Avatar vulva’ in 'less talked about' symptom

Katherine Ryan's fourth pregnancy has left her feeling a lot like the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory character Violet Beauregarde.

The comedian, 42, reckons she has slowly been turning blue while cooking her child in her belly over the last few months.

She announced she was welcoming a fourth child into the world with husband Bobby Kootstra back in June this year.

The couple are already parents to Fred, three, and Fenna, two, while Ryan also has 15-year-old daughter Violet from a previous relationship.

Needless to say, this isn't Ryan's first rodeo as she's been pregnant on several other occasions - however, this is the first time she's encountered this strange side effect.

During an appearance on Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo's NearlyParents podcast, The Duchess actress said that her vagina has had a different hue to it as of late.

"My vagina - or my vulva, rather - is blue," Ryan told the former Made In Chelsea stars, who are set to welcome their first child. "Blue. Like a Smurf. Like an Avatar vag."

This prompted giggles from both Laing and Habboo, who have clearly never heard anyone compare their private parts to fictional film characters who are best known for being blue.

"That is because of expanding blood vessels and pressure after four babies," Ryan went on. "There are visible blue veins like in an elderly woman’s legs when she hadn’t had access to compression stockings.

"Like popping out of my actual vulva. The advice is elevate your legs...but I work full-time, so I can't do that."

Ryan told fellow mum-to-be Habboo that if all she has to worry about is having 'a fat cat' - AKA, a plumper-looking vagina - she's got it easy.

Habboo, 30, explained that her intimate area has been 'swollen' since the beginning of her pregnancy.

"But it will go back, it will be fine," Ryan reassured her. "I also hate this misconception that it's 'destroyed' after, it's 'ruined' after. It really isn't.

"Every single time mine went exactly back to what it looked like...apart from this time, we might not make it," she laughed. "This time is worrying."

Although most mums probably have no idea that their bits can turn blue when they're with child, it is a legit side-effect of pregnancy which is known as 'the Chadwick sign'.

According to Cleveland Clinic, it typically appears six weeks after conception and usually dissipates during pregnancy or shortly after the baby is delivered.

It's caused by the increased blood flow to your genitals, vagina and cervix, with the health experts explaining the 'blue hue is just how blood-filled veins appear beneath your skin'.

"Blood volume and blood flow increase in these areas during pregnancy," it adds. "You need more blood to carry oxygen and nutrients to your reproductive organs and the developing foetus."

Hilariously, the footage of her appearance on the NearlyParents podcast made Ryan realise that the blueness isn't just restricted to below her waist.

In the comment section of the Instagram post, she wrote: "FOR GODS SAKE LOOK MY BOOBS ARE BLUE AS WELL."

At least she can easily pull off Violet Beauregarde as a Halloween costume if the colour change is still persisting in October, eh?

Fans thought Ryan's unique pregnancy problem was hilarious, while a number of women admitted they'd similarly sh*t their pants when they were expecting and noticed their vaginas turning blue.

One commented: "I remember that happening I almost cried with shock like what the hell!!"

Another wrote: "I f***ing love her...can we normalise talking about our anatomy, honestly? Not only is it hilarious, it’s also really healthy for everyone to understand the journeys that we go on with our bodies."

A third joked: "Is it trying to do its own gender reveal? Surprise! It’s blue, it’s a boy!"

A fourth said: "Ok she's so real I love that."

And a fifth chimed in: "It literally does swell and go blue it’s CRAZY."