Varicose veins during pregnancy | Here’s our complete guide
Pregnancy is impressive, but it stinks because it turns your body into all kinds of weird colors. Women around the globe are not unaware that they are bound to gain some weight, their hands and feet will swell up, they will feel depressed and will not get proper sleep, and some unimaginable food cravings will hit them.
However, one issue might be off your pregnancy to-do list – those veins of yours. Among all pregnancy complications, varicose veins are one of the most frequently registered disorders, affecting as many as 40% of pregnant women.
WHAT ARE VARICOSE VEINS?
Varicose veins are generally a safe condition and will not cause any harm to you or your unborn child, but many women find them unsightly; your legs can feel weighted, aching, and tired, and your skin can itch.
In other words, the twisted, bulging veins below the skin that can be itchy or painful are varicose veins. They occur from standard pregnancy-service complaints, such as blood flow problems caused by weakened vein valves. Varicose veins are rightly marked as the key elements of circulation at its best.
It is important not to confuse varicose veins with spider veins, which many pregnant women develop. While both conditions refer to visible veins, varicose veins are more prominent and thicker in appearance and are painful or uncomfortable. Spider veins are miniature, form a branching pattern on the skin like a spider web, and are not associated with pain complaints.
WHY ARE VARICOSE VEINS COMMON DURING PREGNANCY?
The reason is that women are more likely to develop varicose veins during pregnancy. Pregnancy does, however, have this effect on your circulatory system in the following ways;
- First of all, due to pregnancy, there is a volume increase in blood. In your body, blood flow increases as you go along with the developments in your baby. It increases twofold to threefold in blood plasma and approximated 20-30% in red blood cells. Consequently, your veins are compelled to carry a considerably higher blood volume.
- Second, and as your baby grows, the weight places pressure on the inferior vena cava — a large blood vessel that transports blood from the lower half of the body back to the heart. The pressure that is applied by the heart on the first significant vein of the human body, the inferior vena cava, is partly responsible for the dilation of veins in your legs.
- Third, hormonal changes during pregnancy may also contribute to the development of varicose veins. Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone have been found to play a part in the formation of varicose veins. For instance, a healthy pregnancy necessitates high progesterone levels. However, this hormone also has the negative side effect of helping to weaken the veins’ valves and relax the veins’ walls.
The three changes taken together mean that if there is any varicose tendency in the blood, there is a high risk that blood will flow backward whenever valves are relaxed. Since the conditions under which you are pregnant would mean vein walls are weak and stretched, the ability of veins to expand is also higher than usual, hence the high risk of varicose veins.
5 THINGS YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT PREGNANCY AND VARICOSE VEINS:
Many changes happen during pregnancy, and varicose veins are as common as the others. Many myths about varicose veins exist and should not be understood, especially during pregnancy.
Here are five key insights to shed light on the connection between pregnancy and varicose veins:
1: Varicose veins do not usually develop until the later stages of pregnancy:
Although varicose veins can develop at any time during pregnancy, they are more common in the second trimester and may worsen in the last weeks before delivery. This is because the uterus becomes more significant with time, and the pressure it exerts on the pelvic veins interferes with blood flow in pregnant women’s leg veins.
They are more bound to affect the inner thigh and calf muscles since these parts exert the most strain from standing and walking. Nevertheless, the varicose veins may develop anywhere on the lower limbs. It also offers the possibility to occur in other areas of the body.
In women, they may appear on the vulvovaginal region, and occasionally, it is painful — this is especially true during pregnancy. Furthermore, varicose veins that follow the anus and rectum channel can occur, a condition known as hemorrhoids.
2: If You Already Have Varicose or Spider Veins, Pregnancy Might Make Them Worse
If you already have varicose or spider veins, the changes that pregnancy brings can make them worse and cause more pain.
Pregnancy increases blood volume, hormonal changes, and pressure on veins, worsening the development of varicose and spider veins.
3: If Your Mom Had Varicose Veins, You Are More Likely To Have Them Too
Heredity is also another cause of varicose veins. If varicose veins ever threatened your mother or grandmother during pregnancy, or if you have these vein problems in your family at all, the chances of getting them yourself are higher.
Don’t forget to question your family should they have vein issues during pregnancy. If one is planning to get pregnant, one should consult a vein specialist even before getting pregnant.
4: Varicose veins are more probable in women who have multiple pregnancies
With each subsequent pregnancy, physical maintainers of vein elasticity become increasingly difficult. The escalating stretching of the veins affects the valve’s functionality because blood flow is improper.
It is important to note that if you previously had varicose veins during pregnancy, there is a higher chance of new varicose veins appearing or that the ones present will worsen.
Suppose you are considering having more than one pregnancy. In that case, it may be helpful to consult with a vein specialist so that they can inform you and shape a course of action on how you can have at least this aspect of pregnancy considerably more comfortably. However, they can also appear in the rectal region as areas characterized as hemorrhoids in medical language.
5: You Might Be Susceptible To Other Vein Issues During Pregnancy
Pregnancy vein issues do not only pertain to varicose veins or swollen blood vessels that twist and turn. Vein issues are common, and different modifications in your body can cause vein issues such as vein diseases.
Like varicose veins, these conditions appear when blood circulation is disturbed, hormonal changes occur, or physical burdens from pregnancy occur.
MORE PROMINENT BREAST VEINS:
During pregnancy, you will also observe blue lines under the skin in the breasts. These veins are not varicose veins or any other vein problems.
Another reason is that your veins become more visible during pregnancy due to increased blood flow and pregnancy hormones acting upon the breast tissue. This is quite natural, passing, and no cause for alarm.
SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT VARICOSE VEINS DURING PREGNANCY?
Varicose veins are relatively painless and, for the most part, not significantly dangerous in the short term. They are not rare for expectant moms; about twenty-five percent of pregnant women experience varicosities during pregnancy.
Nevertheless, applicants should realize that a few female members of society are at a greater risk of suffering blood clots within their veins due to varicose veins.
For instance, if you develop new signs that worry the skin area over the varicose veins, like pain, discoloration, or the possibility of bleeding. Instead, if any of the following occurs, you should seek the care of a vein specialist immediately:
CAN I PREVENT VARICOSE VEINS IN PREGNANCY?
Women often get varicose veins during pregnancy due to weight gain and increased blood volume, which puts pressure on the veins—two things that aren’t precisely avoidable.
While you can’t control these natural aspects of pregnancy, there are many do’s and don’ts for healthy veins and a few steps to minimize pregnancy’s impact on your veins.
My preventative measures include the following:
- Do not stand for more than 30-60 minutes at a time, and do not sit for more than 30 minutes.
- The inferior vena cava vein should be relieved from pressure by sleeping on the left side.
- Try and keep your legs up as often as possible
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Use different measures for varicose veins to adopt an exercise routine to enhance blood circulation.
- If possible don’t wear heel shoes
- Wear compression stockings to enhance the circulation of blood.
CAN I TREAT VARICOSE VEINS DURING PREGNANCY?
Varicose vein treatment is often recommended to be taken about 6 months postpartum. This is because they might vanish on their own! In many cases, you will find that any varicose veins that develop during pregnancy can clear up shortly after childbirth.
Furthermore, although present-day varicose vein treatments are safe and most are noninvasive, it is usually recommended that the patient not undergo treatment while pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you have varicose veins during pregnancy and they are bothering you, or if they have not disappeared within the first six months after childbirth, you can self-refer to a vein clinic to be assessed for your situation.
Applying the tips presented above is necessary to reduce the intensity of the symptoms and prevent the veins from becoming more varicose.
HOW DO YOU ENSURE THAT VARICOSE VEINS DISAPPEAR AFTER DELIVERING A BABY?
There are numerous nonsurgical and surgical treatments available after you are no longer pregnant or breastfeeding, and those are the topics we will discuss next.
However, contractions and bulging of varicose veins during pregnancy do not require treatment most of the time because they usually resolve themselves 6-12 weeks after childbirth.
Here are a few things you can do to speed up and increase the chances of your varicose veins going away without treatment:
WHAT TO DO TO PREVENT VARICOSE VEINS ONCE YOU ARE PREGNANT:
- Stay Active:
Sometimes, standing and walking during working hours is impossible; do not sit or stand for an extended period, avoid crossing your legs, and lay your legs up when nursing or sleeping. Exercise allows better blood circulation, can help to achieve weight loss, and plays a role in vein function. Begin with walking, yoga, or stretching, then once you have clearance to increase your routine, engage in cardio and weight training.
- Eat for Healthy Veins:
Appropriate foods that should be included in the diet include fiber, flavonoids, and rutin. On the other hand, foods that should be avoided include processed foods and foods that are high in salt. It is also essential for those who suffer from vein conditions: a balanced diet helps to alleviate the symptoms.
- Wear Compression Garments:
Compression stockings or socks can enhance blood circulation and aid recovery. They are available with a doctor’s prescription or at the counter without a prescription.
- Avoid Smoking and Alcohol:
Smoking harms blood vessels and causes inflammation, and excess alcohol makes veins dehydrated and worsens symptoms associated with veins. Indeed, smoking and alcohol consumption cessation can help recovery to take place quickly.
It is also important to note that varifocal veins can be prevented from getting worse by following relativity easy measures. Exercise, get in shape, and remain healthy throughout your lifestyle!
TREATMENTS FOR VARICOSE VEINS AFTER PREGNANCY:
If they do not disappear and you are planning not to have another pregnancy shortly, consider seeing a vein doctor. Common treatments include:
- Sclerotherapy: Injections are performed to shut closed formations of veins with a slight recovery time.
- Laser Ablation: Most commonly employed lasers coagulate blood vessels, necessitating tight-sleeved leg apparel called compression tights.
- Ambulatory Phlebectomy: Another method eradicates small veins through mini incisions, soon recoveries.
- Radiofrequency Ablation also coagulates and seals larger caliber vessels with less downtime.
- VenaSeal™: Closes veins with adhesive; no need for stockings.
- Varithena®: Foam injection for complicated veins, speedy get back to actions.
- Ligation & Stripping: Surgery in severe cases of the disease.
Decide with your healthcare professional about the best approach that will give you a permanent solution.
WHICH DOCTORS TREAT VARICOSE VEINS DURING PREGNENCY?
Anyone dealing with varicose veins during pregnancy should seek a vein professional—a doctor with expertise in vein diseases. Your obstetrician will likely be more informative about your choices, but a vascular surgeon is the best specialist in vein-related issues.
Vascular surgeons specialize in diagnosing and treating vascular disorders; they can treat varicose veins. They know more about the circulatory system than I can, and they can accurately diagnose varicose veins and recommend a safe mode of treatment for minimal harm to the clients.
Visiting the Vein Centre of Arizona? – Book an appointment for Varicose Veins.
If you want to conceive and have been a sufferer of varicose veins or know of anyone in your family who had it or developed varicose veins during your pregnancy that has not gone away, we are here for you!
The Vein Centre of Arizona is an outpatient vein treatment center that treats spider veins, varicose veins, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). We are the superior vein specialists in Tennessee for Belle Meade, Mt. Juliet, and Brentwood.
Our advances in vein treatments and new mother surgical procedures guarantee you will receive the best treatment for your veins.