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.
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.
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.
The symptoms of varicose veins during pregnancy can include:
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:
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.
Vein surgery can be life changing for many people and a huge boost of confidence, let's get you scheduled for a consultation.