Varicose veins usually develop during pregnancy and are predominantly found in the legs. The good news is that you can effectively treat these bulges.
What Are Pregnancy Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are a common condition that can occur during pregnancy. They are swollen, weak veins filled with blood and become visible through the skin. Varicose veins can cause pain or discomfort in your legs and sometimes swelling. You may notice them most when you stand for long periods.
What Are the Warning Signs of Varicose Veins in Pregnancy
Varicose veins are a common side effect of pregnancy, but they don’t have to be. Read on to learn how to avoid varicose veins in pregnancy.
First, know the warning signs:
- Tenderness or soreness in your legs
- Aching or heaviness in your legs
- A blue tint to your skin around the veins (this is called “venous insufficiency”)
- Bruising easily and/or feeling like you’re bruising more than you used to
- Swelling in your ankles or calves that don’t go away when you stand up for a few minutes
What Causes Varicose Veins in Pregnancy
Pregnancy varicose veins are caused by increased pressure in your body, which causes blood to pool in your legs. This increase in pressure is caused by the baby growing inside your uterus, where it takes up space that would normally be filled with blood flow to your lower body.
The valves in your veins become weaker during pregnancy, which also increases blood flow and makes it difficult for blood to return from your legs to your heart.
Varicose veins can also be caused by genetics or other factors such as being overweight or having a family history of varicose veins. Still, they usually improve after pregnancy ends since the uterus shrinks back down again and regains its original shape once the baby is born!
Varicose Veins in Vulva During Pregnancy
The varicose veins in the vulva are a common problem during pregnancy. Varicose veins are dilated and twisted veins that can be painful and unsightly. They may be red or blue, and they can appear on your calves, thighs, and under your eyes—and now they can also appear on your vulva.
There are several causes of varicose veins in the vulva during pregnancy. The most common reason is increased pressure on the pelvic vein due to increased blood volume due to your growing uterus. The increased volume puts pressure on the pelvic vein, causing it to enlarge.
When it enlarges, it becomes more susceptible to damage from rubbing against other veins in its path as it carries blood back to your heart. The rubbing causes inflammation and makes things even worse for those veins by making them more likely to rupture or tear open as they’re stretched beyond their capacity to hold blood flow without getting damaged by friction with other things around them.
Another cause of varicose veins during pregnancy is hormonal changes that occur during this period. Women with diabetes or high blood pressure are more likely to experience them than other women.
How to Treat Varicose Veins During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a wonderful time to experience the miracle of childbirth. Unfortunately, it can also be a time when your varicose veins are more noticeable than ever before. The good news is that there are ways to treat your varicose veins during pregnancy to enjoy the best of both worlds.
If you have varicose veins, then there are things you can do to help treat them before and during pregnancy.
First: identify whether or not your varicose veins are dangerous.
If they’re extremely enlarged or inflamed, then they could be causing serious problems for your body. If that’s the case, it’s best to see a doctor immediately so that they can evaluate whether or not treatment is needed.
As long as your varicose veins are not causing any trouble at this point in your life, then there are some things that you can do on your own to help prevent them from getting worse during pregnancy:
- Check your legs daily for any swelling, redness, or tenderness in the area around your veins. If you notice any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
- Avoid standing for long periods by getting up and walking around every hour or so.
- Wear compression stockings on both legs at all times except when bathing and going to bed at night (when you should wear them only on the affected leg). The stockings will help reduce swelling by squeezing the blood out of your veins and back into your heart.
- Apply ice packs over each swollen vein for 15 minutes every hour while awake during the day and every two hours while asleep at night (for example: apply an ice pack to your left leg from noon until 2 p.m., then again from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.). This will help reduce swelling and pain and improve blood flow through the veins by constricting them slightly with cold temperatures (which creates more pressure than usual).
How to Avoid Varicose Veins in Pregnancy
The best way to avoid varicose veins is to get them treated early in pregnancy. The longer you wait to seek treatment, the harder it will be for your doctor to treat them effectively. If you already have varicose veins before getting pregnant, they may worsen during pregnancy due to the extra weight on your legs.
You should also refrain from wearing high heels while pregnant or after having a baby unless necessary (like attending an event where you have no other option). High heels put extra pressure on your feet and legs—which are already under strain due to the extra weight they’re carrying around!
While there isn’t much that can be done once varicose veins have formed during pregnancy, there are things that can help prevent them from forming in the first place:
Drinking plenty of water throughout pregnancy will help keep your circulation flowing smoothly. This is especially important if you’re experiencing high blood pressure or swelling in your lower extremities.
Stretching your legs regularly can help improve the circulation in your legs and reduce strain on the veins.
Image Source: iStock
When you eat right, your body has more energy to work with, which means it can do its job better—including pumping blood through your body effectively.
Wearing supportive shoes and avoiding standing for long periods will prevent unnecessary strain on your legs.
If you feel tired, take a break and rest for a few minutes.
When to Worry About Varicose Veins in Pregnancy
It can be hard to tell when to worry about varicose veins in pregnancy. If you notice that your varicose veins are getting worse, or if they hurt or itch more than usual, best to consult your doctor about it. Another sign is swelling in your legs that is not going away after a few days of rest. Or if you have any other pain in your legs or feet that are not going away after a few days of rest.
Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.
