Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

Blog Post
By BASS Vein Center
Varicose Veins During Pregnancy
October 19, 2023

A varicose vein is a swollen and enlarged vein that typically occurs on the leg or foot. They can appear as blue or dark purple and can also affect pregnant women. Approximately 28 percent of pregnant women develop varicose veins, and they usually begin in the first trimester.

Below, we have discussed everything you need to know about varicose veins during pregnancy, in detail.

What are pregnancy varicose veins?

While pregnant, most women notice enlarged superficial veins in their legs, which are varicose veins.

This happens because, during pregnancy, blood flow and pressure in the legs increase. Adding pressure to veins can damage the valves, causing blood to pool in the legs and causing varicose veins. Varicose veins commonly develop in the legs during pregnancy, but can also develop in the vulva or rectum.

Varicose veins can cause your legs to feel heavy and can cause your skin around the vein to burn, itch, or throb. You might experience more severe pain at the end of the day, especially if you were on your feet for a long period of time.

What causes varicose veins during pregnancy?

Despite not being exclusively associated with pregnancy, varicose veins might appear or worsen during this stage of your life. Typically, they are hereditary, meaning that if your mother had them, you are likely to develop them too. 

During pregnancy, the body's blood volume increases, but the number of veins remains the same, which means that your limited vascular system has to do more work. In pregnancy, hormones such as progesterone relax the ligaments around the pelvis and the muscles in the vein walls, making the blood flow upward more difficult.

This causes veins to dilate, putting pressure on valves and making them almost ineffective, which results in varicose veins.

Varicose veins may improve after giving birth since the pressure on the veins is reduced and the blood flow to the legs improves. You can also consider several treatment options if the condition does not get better and worsens.

Symptoms of Varicose Veins in Pregnancy

The symptoms of varicose veins during pregnancy can include:

  • Swelling in the legs: Increased pressure on the veins in the legs can impede blood flow back to the heart, causing swelling.
  • Aching or cramping in the legs: You might experience pain or cramping in the legs after standing or walking for a long time. Touching the varicose veins can hurt quite a bit.
  • Heavy feeling in the legs: During walking or standing, you might feel fatigued and heaviness in the legs which can lead to pain.
  • Skin changes: The leg skin can become discolored or thickened as a result of varicose veins, or it can burn or itch.
  • Visible varicose veins: Pregnant women usually notice varicose veins as twisted, swollen, or elevated veins on the surface of their skin.

Treatment Options

Several methods can be used to slow the progression of varicose veins in the legs during pregnancy. Here are some options that you can try:

  • Wearing compression stockings: The purpose of compression stockings is to provide a graduated level of compression to the legs. Since they can help to improve circulation in the legs and reduce the pressure on the veins, they can be used to treat varicose veins. Additionally, they can reduce swelling and discomfort.
  • Regular exercise: Exercise can reduce the pressure on the veins in the legs and make blood flow more freely to the heart by improving circulation.
  • Avoid prolonged standing or sitting: When standing or sitting for a long period of time, your legs' veins can become further strained, so move around as much as possible. Additionally, elevating the legs can relieve pressure on the veins and improve circulation.
  • Maintaining a healthy weight: Pregnancy puts additional strain on the legs, causing them to become dilated and visible. The risk of varicose veins is further increased if you are overweight or obese since your veins would be dealing with more pressure. In order to reduce the risk of developing or worsening varicose veins, it is important to maintain a healthy weight.
  • Monitoring: Doctors can monitor varicose veins during pregnancy so any complications, like skin ulcers or deep vein thrombosis, can be detected early and treated.

Even though these methods can help alleviate symptoms and slow varicose vein progression during pregnancy, they don't eliminate them. There are cases in which varicose veins may improve or disappear after delivery, but there are also cases in which they may stay and require further treatment. It is important to consult with a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. 

For the best and most reliable varicose veins treatment in the East Bay, contact BASS Vein Center today. We have unmatched knowledge and experience when it comes to treating all types of vein conditions at BASS Vein Center.

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