In many ways, pregnancy can be a period of great changes in the female body. When a woman is about to have a baby, she may notice some unexpected side effects. These may include thick hair growth, shiny and hard nails, radiant skin, and increased breast enlargement and fullness.
Unfortunately, not all pregnancy changes are desirable and enjoyable. There will be a lot of weight gain, mood swings and frequent urination. This is due to the fact that due to changes in the hormonal background, pregnancy is accompanied by profound changes in the female body. The veins also undergo significant changes-the pitch decreases, the permeability of the wall increases, and blood flow slows down. Varicose veins are one of the diseases that may first appear or begin to develop actively during pregnancy.
What is disease
Varicose veins of the lower extremities are persistent and irreversible varicose veins, which are caused by general changes in their walls and valve insufficiency due to genetic defects. The main cause of varicose veins is the hereditary weakness of the blood vessel wall. The secondary factor that causes varicose veins is prolonged pressure on the lower limbs.
Statistics show that 40-65% of expectant mothers will have varicose veins at least once in their lifetime. Most obese women suffer from varicose veins during pregnancy.
Although varicose veins are most common in the legs, they can occur elsewhere. Especially in the third trimester of pregnancy, tortuous veins appear in the buttocks, vagina or vulva. This happens when the lower abdomen and uterus put pressure on the veins in these areas.
Causes of varicose veins during pregnancy
With the increase in terms during pregnancy, many changes have taken place, creating prerequisites for varicose veins.
- First, as the uterus grows, it exerts pressure on the inferior vena cava (the largest vein in the body). Excessive pressure causes blood flow to slow down, increases pressure in leg veins, and more blood stagnates. This causes varicose veins in the legs during pregnancy.
- Secondly, during pregnancy, the female body will secrete more blood to support the developing baby, and oxygen and nutrients will be continuously transported to the placenta and fetus. As the load increases, the veins must work harder to pump carbonated blood from the limbs and pelvis back to the heart. This can cause venous valve insufficiency and blood accumulation in the legs, ankles, feet, and other areas.
- Third, the increased levels of female sex hormones during pregnancy will reduce the tension of the smooth muscles of blood vessel walls (especially veins). It can also cause varicose veins in pregnant women.
Risk factors for varicose veins during pregnancy
Varicose veins are considered to be genetically susceptible diseases. If the mother or grandmother has varicose veins during pregnancy, the woman's risk of developing the disease will be greatly increased.
The incidence of varicose veins increases with age, weight gain and each subsequent pregnancy. If a woman has twins or triplets, the risk of varicose veins in the legs of a pregnant woman doubles.
Lifestyle and work habits (long standing or sitting still) may also trigger varicose veins.
Symptoms of varicose veins in pregnant women
Some women have slightly swollen, twisted, multi-colored veins on their legs-just a cosmetic problem. In other cases, varicose veins during pregnancy can cause uncomfortable symptoms-swelling, pain, or severe leg discomfort. In all women with varicose veins on their legs, this is a key sign of varicose veins. If left untreated, vein damage can lead to serious complications, including thrombosis, phlebitis, and trophic ulcers. In addition, the risk of a fatal complication-PE (pulmonary embolism) will increase.
Throughout pregnancy, you need to monitor for signs of varicose veins:
- Swelling in the area of the legs, ankles, and feet;
- Thigh or calf cramps or soreness;
- Fatigue, heavy legs;
- Restlessness, especially at night, eager to move legs constantly;
- Itchy, dry or pale skin on the legs, with a burning sensation;
- Circling, prominent "stars", larger circling veins;
- An ulcer on the leg or ankle takes a long time to heal or cannot be cured at all;
- When a woman walks or lifts her legs, the leg pain disappears.
Will varicose veins appear during pregnancy?
Unfortunately, as pregnancy progresses, varicose veins usually get worse. As the great saphenous vein expands, moves, swells and becomes more pronounced, women gradually notice increased pain and other symptoms (swelling, skin changes, heaviness).
Varicose veins during pregnancy: what to do
If a woman experiences any symptoms of varicose veins, she must see a phlebologist. After a detailed physical examination and careful assessment of the condition of the feet, ankles, legs and thighs, the doctor will confirm the presence of varicose veins and rule out possible complications (using ultrasound and vascular Doppler examination). As for vulvar varicose veins, obstetricians and gynecologists will pay attention to them during routine examinations.
Treatment of varicose veins in pregnant women
In most cases, surgery and minimally invasive surgery during pregnancy are not recommended to treat varicose veins. This is related to the high risk of complications and recurrence. In addition, the prescription of drugs is very limited-intravenous drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, antiplatelet drugs.
There are many guidelines to help treat varicose veins in pregnant women safely and relatively effectively.
- Quantitative physical exercise. Pregnant women’s leg muscles involve swimming, walking or other exercises involving varicose veins, which help increase blood circulation in the veins of the limbs. Phlebologists and obstetricians and gynecologists will choose a separate set of exercises for the specific period and severity of the pregnant woman.
- The right shoes. High-heeled shoes and completely flat soles interfere with the movement of leg muscles, thereby impairing blood circulation in the veins. You need to choose a small heel with a stable and comfortable heel (3-4 cm).
- Compressed jersey. In order to support the veins during pregnancy, it is necessary to wear compression clothes. The phlebologist will individually select the degree of compression and product type-knee height, stockings or tights. You need to wear them when you wake up in the morning, but you cannot get out of bed, and you have to take them off when women go to bed at night.
How to relieve varicose veins during pregnancy
There are many tips for preventing varicose veins in pregnant women. Following these tips will help reduce the progression of the disease and reduce discomfort:
- Don’t cross your legs. Putting one leg on the other can block the flow of blood through the vein and may cause pressure to rise.
- Change location. If you must sit or stand all day, change your posture as much as possible. This prevents blood from accumulating in the legs.
- Sleep on the left side. As your abdomen gets bigger, it will become difficult to lie on your back. For varicose veins, try to fall asleep from the left instead of the right. This prevents the uterus from putting pressure on the abdominal vena cava and helps blood flow from the lower limbs at night.
- Raise your leg. Raise your legs more throughout the day. Ideally, they should be located above the heart so that gravity can help blood flow more actively. When lying in bed, you can put your feet on the pillow to help blood flow during sleep.
- Pay attention to salt intake. When you consume a lot of salt, more fluid flows into the blood vessels, which increases the pressure in the veins. Too much fluid can penetrate the tissues and cause edema. Drink plenty of water to help your body maintain proper fluid balance.
- Track weight. Women's body changes during pregnancy, and the expectant mother gains weight. The higher the weight, the more pressure the weight puts on the veins of the lower limbs. The doctor will assess weight gain and clarify weight standards.
Varicose veins after birth
Mothers-to-be are most concerned about whether varicose veins disappear after pregnancy? The varicose veins usually disappear three months after the baby is born. If these changes do not disappear after 3 months, you need to contact a phlebologist.
The first symptoms of varicose veins when holding a baby usually rarely disappear or disappear at all. However, the more severe the change, the more likely it is to remain after delivery and require treatment. Varicose veins of the vagina or vulva almost always resolve spontaneously after delivery.
What are the complications of varicose veins
Varicose veins can cause serious complications. Increased risk of dangerous conditions: blood clots and venous ulcers.
There are two main types of blood clots. Superficial vein thrombosis is formed in the saphenous vein. They usually do not migrate to the lungs. Dangerous deep vein thrombosis. The blood clots formed in them may rupture and enter the pulmonary blood vessels. If the following conditions occur, it is important to seek medical attention immediately:
- The varicose veins harden, like a rope;
- Heat, pain or swelling of surrounding tissues;
- The vein color has obvious changes;
- Ulcers appear on the skin;
- Pain and severe swelling in one leg.