Varicose Veins

Varicose veins, also called varicosities or varices, are dilated blood vessels that fill with blood. They occur to some degree in most pregnant women; however, varicose veins develop more often in older women.

There seems to be an inherited predisposition to varicose veins that can become more severe during pregnancy. If your mother had varicose veins, you are more likely to develop them.
Varicose veins usually occur in the legs but also in the birth canal or vulva. Hemorrhoids are also varicose veins. Pressure from the uterus and the change in blood flow during pregnancy can make varices worse. Varicose veins in the legs, birth canal, vulva or rectum (hemorrhoids) can cause pain and discomfort.

Symptoms vary; for some women varicose veins are only a blemish or purple-blue spot on the legs that causes little or no discomfort, except in the evening. For other women, varices are bulging veins that require elevation at the end of the day or other measures.

Varicose veins may worsen during pregnancy. Increasing weight (from the growing baby, uterus and placenta), tight clothing that constricts at the waist or legs, and standing a great deal worsen varicose veins. If you continue to have problems with varicose veins after pregnancy, you may need surgery.

Preventing and Treating Varicose Veins during Pregnancy
The most effective way to prevent varicose veins is to improve circulation in your legs, especially through exercise and changes in position. Walk when possible, and do ankle circles while sitting and standing. Even sitting and rocking in a rocking chair can help-rocking contracts and relaxes leg muscles, which moves blood from your feet to your heart.

When you lie down, lie on your left side to improve blood flow.
Elevate your hips and legs. Keep your total pregnancy weight gain within normal range-between 25 and 35 pounds for a normal weight woman.

If you get varicose veins during pregnancy, you can take steps to feel better. Many women wear medical support hose to reduce swelling and ease leg pains. Many types of maternity support hose or graduated-compression stockings are available. Maternity support hose help many women, but they can be very difficult to get on. The following tricks can help.

Put on your support hose before you get out of bed in the morning-your legs may tend to swell as soon as you get up. (You may need to change your habits and bathe before you go to bed.) Turn the stockings inside out before you put them on. Starting at the toe, unroll the stockings up your leg.

Choose clothes that don't restrict circulation at the knee or groin.
Wear loose panties to help prevent vulvar varicosities (varicose veins in the vulva area) from causing discomfort.

Spend as little time as possible on your feet. Wear flat shoes.
Don't cross your legs at the knee, and don't stand for long periods. If you must stand, bounce gently on the balls of your feet every few minutes.