Postpartum Varicose Veins: Is It Safe to Get Treatment While Breastfeeding?

Spider and varicose veins can be troublesome to deal with, especially when they become painful. Unfortunately, a common time for these veins to begin appearing or get worse is during and after pregnancy. This can lead to many women looking into treatment to get rid of them for cosmetic or pain relief purposes. Of course, the other concern with treatment during this time is how it can affect breastfeeding. Fortunately, there are options available for women who are breastfeeding. 

At Home Care May Be the Solution

Before you consider treatment for veins that came about or got worse during pregnancy, consider a couple of factors. Firstly, it is common for spider and varicose veins to show up or worsen during pregnancy, but they can also go away or get better after giving birth. This may not happen immediately, but they can begin to fade or improve over time. Also, it might be a good idea to try home care to see how the veins respond first. Sometimes, home care can be enough to remedy the problem. Several home remedies can have great results in some cases. These include:

• Avoid standing or sitting for too long
• Placing affected legs in an elevated position when sitting
• Walking daily
• Leg exercises
• Wearing compression socks or stockings

Always Consult with Your Doctor When Considering Vein Treatment

Before making any decisions, you should consult your doctor regarding any forms of vein treatment while breastfeeding. Here are several types of vein treatment available:

• Sclerotherapy employs a chemical solution called a sclerosant. There are no concrete studies regarding whether it is safe during pregnancy, but most experts recommend against it. If you choose sclerotherapy while breastfeeding, the typical recommendation is to store enough breastmilk and then “pump and dump” for 72 hours. This is enough time for the chemical to clear your system before you go back to breastfeeding. 
• Radiofrequency ablation and endovenous laser ablation may be viable options during breastfeeding. These techniques only use a numbing agent. Be sure to consult with a professional regarding this. 

It is best to consult with your doctor before choosing a vein treatment during breastfeeding. This decision can depend on your situation and the particular severity of your varicose and spider veins. Ideally, you can wait until you are done breastfeeding but if these veins are incredibly painful, it can be difficult to wait until after that time.

If you are planning to have another child, it could be a better idea to wait to get treatment until after the next pregnancy. This is because spider and varicose veins can recur during the next pregnancy. However, you can repeat these procedures, so waiting until after your next pregnancy is far from a hard and fast rule. 

BASS Vein Center Can Help with Varicose or Spider Veins

If you are having difficulties with spider or varicose veins, give us a call here at BASS Vein Center. Our facility is fully equipped to offer multiple forms of treatment for these veins. Whether you recently developed varicose or spider veins or have had difficulty with them for some time, we can help. Give us a call so we can help start the right treatment plan to take care of your troublesome veins.