Pregnancy Varicose Veins.My mother had varicose veins during her pregnancies. Will I?
Varicose veins, also called varicosities or varices, occur to some degree in most pregnant women. If your mother had varicose veins, you have a greater chance of having them.
What causes varicose veins?
Varicose veins are dilated blood vessels that fill with blood. They usually occur in the legs but also in the birth canal and in the vulva. They may appear as hemorrhoids. Pressure from the uterus and change in blood flow make varices worse.
What do varicose veins look like?
Symptoms vary. For some women, varicose veins are only a blemish or purple-blue spot on the legs. They cause little or no discomfort, except in the evening. For other women, varices are bulging veins that require elevation of the legs at the end of the day and compression stockings during the day; they can be very uncomfortable.
Will varicose veins get worse during pregnancy?
They may. In most cases, they become more noticeable and more painful as pregnancy progresses. Increasing weight (from your growing baby), clothing that constricts at the waist or legs, and standing a great deal cause them to worsen.
If I have varicose veins, what can I do?
Many women wear medical maternity support hose; there are various types available. Also try the following:
- Clothes that don't restrict circulation at the knee or groin may help.
- Spend as little time as possible on your feet.
- Elevate your feet above the level of your heart, or lie on your side when possible to allow drainage of the veins.
- Wear flat shoes.
- Don't cross your legs when you sit down.
- If you continue to have problems after your pregnancy, you may need surgery.
PREVENT VARICOSE VEINS
There are several things you can do to help prevent varicose veins. Some of these suggestions work well to relieve varices if you already have them.
- Exercise.
- Don't cross your legs at the knee.
- Don't stand for long periods of time.
- If you must stand, bounce gently on the balls of your feet every few minutes.
- Lie on your side several times a day (left side is best).
- Keep your total pregnancy weight gain in the normal range from 25 to 35 pounds (11.25 to 15.75kg) for a normal-weight woman.
Friends who have varicose veins say wearing medical maternity support hose works great, but they are almost impossible to get on. Do you have any suggestions?
Medical maternity support hose, also called compression hose, are not the everyday support hose you buy at the store. They are fitted for you by a specialist. There are a couple of tricks that can help you get them on more easily. First, turn stockings inside out. Starting at the toe, unroll the stockings up your legs. Second, put your support hose on before you get out of bed in the morning your legs may tend to swell as soon as you get up.
|
