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Varicose Veins in Pregnancy

Varicose veins are a common feature in pregnancy, especially in late pregnancy. They are enlarged and engorged veins which can be seen on the skin as bluish, squiggly, swollen lines.

Older women who have been pregnant earlier are more likely to suffer from this problem.

Varicose veins occur mainly on the legs but can also occur on the vulva, opening of the vagina or even at the cervix (mouth of the uterus). When they occur at the mouth of the cervix, they can cause blood stained vaginal discharge or bleeding during pregnancy.

Varicose veins which occur at the anus and rectum is known as hemorrhoids.

Symptoms of Varicose Veins in Pregnancy

Thin bluish irregular lines on the skin.
Swollen areas on the skin which can be pressed easily without any pain.
When pressed with the fingertip, the swelling disappears. When the finger is removed, the swelling recurs immediately.
Itching over the swollen areas.
Sense of heaviness of the legs, especially when walking.
Sometimes there may be a dull ache.
Varicose veins on the cervix can cause mild bleeding or spotting in pregnancy.
Varicose veins at the rectum (hemorrhoids, piles) can cause bleeding while passing stool.
Infected or thrombosed hemorrhoids can cause pain.

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Causes of Varicose Veins in Pregnancy

The enlarging uterus presses on the veins carrying blood back to the heart from the legs causing stagnation of blood in the lower limbs.

Increasing levels of circulating hormones like progesterone and estrogen relax the walls of the veins causing them to bulge.

Increase in the blood volume during pregnancy is necessary to maintain the circulation of both the mother and the baby. But this increased volume puts more pressure on the veins of the legs and lower body which have to work against gravity to push the blood to the heart.

In older women who have been pregnant for a number of times or in older women pregnant for the first time, the muscles supporting the veins are already somewhat weak. As a result, the veins tend to bulge.

Damaged Vein Valves. Normally, veins pump blood from different parts of the body to the heart. They have valves which work to prevent the blood flowing back to the legs. These veins can become damaged and cause stagnation of blood and varicose veins.

Excessive weight gain puts more pressure on the veins.

Lack of exercise and a sedentary life-style can contribute to varicose veins.

Hereditary Varicose veins may be hereditary. If the mother had varicose veins during pregnancy, the daughter is more at risk of getting them too.

How to Prevent Varicose Veins in Pregnancy

Lie down as much as you can with your feet raised on a high pillow. This will put less pressure on your veins.

Exercise Although this sounds contrary to the above points, it is not. Exercise helps stimulate the muslces and the contraction and relaxation of the muscles will help the veins to pump blood more efficiently.

Take frequent breaks and move around as much as possible if you have to stand or sit for a while. If you have to stand for along time, rest one foot on a low stool to take the weight off. Alternate the feet from time to time. Flex your ankles from time to time and roate it clockwise as well as anti-clockwise.

When you lie down, lie on your left side as it helps in blood flow from your lower limbs.

Do not sit with your legs crossed. The crimp at your knees could restrict blood flow.

Avoid tight-fitting clothes, especially around the upper legs and hips.

Wear maternity support stockings to prevent bulging of the veins. These stockings are specially constructed to create a gradually increasing pressure from the ankles upwards. This pressure helps compresses the muscles and helps im gently squeezing the blood back to the heart.

Weight Control. Keep your weight gain under control. The normal total weight gain during pregnancy should not be above the 10 kgs (22 pounds).

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