Summary Postpartum thrombosis of varicose veins of the round ligament may present in a clinical picture similar to an irreducible inguinal hernia. Two such unusual cases are reported. One patient underwent surgery while the other, with a presumptive diagnosis of the same condition, was observed, with no complications occurring in both patients. This condition has not to my knowledge been previously reported. The increased incidence of both varicose veins and thrombosis in the postpartum period should alert the physician to the diagnosis of such conditions.