Varicose veins and pregnancy are closely related conditions. The fact is that pregnancy has a very difficult effect on the circulatory system of a woman’s body. The blood volume of a pregnant woman increases by about thirty percent, since it becomes necessary to transport oxygen, nutrients and trace elements to the fetus. The uterus, which grows in size with the growth of the fetus, interferes with normal blood flow to the pelvic area. Accordingly, the load on the vessels of the lower extremities increases. As a result, the body compensates for the insufficiency of the veins of the lower extremities by increasing the lumen of the blood vessels of the small pelvis. It is these changes that link varicose veins and pregnancy.
Varicose veins and pregnancy are signs of pathology
Varicose veins that begin to develop during childbearing is manifested in rapid fatigue, a constant feeling of heaviness, and discomfort in the legs. After this, swelling and aching pain appear. Externally, varicose veins during pregnancy are manifested in the dilated veins in the legs and groin. Actually, such symptoms speak not about the development of varicose veins, but about the stagnation of venous blood. Most often, such signs disappear without a trace after the birth of a child, when the weight and hormonal background return to normal. But significant changes in tissues during pregnancy can lead to irreversible consequences even after childbirth. Varicose veins in the full sense of the word usually appear in women who have a predisposition to this: heredity, excess weight, physical inactivity.
In order to fully provide the child with useful substances through the mother’s blood, the body’s defense system is strengthened. But such increased protection, as well as stagnation of venous blood in the legs, contribute to the formation of blood clots in the veins and inflammatory processes on the surface of the veins. In severe cases, such diseases may even pose a risk to the health of the woman herself and her child. The risk of these diseases does not decrease for about a month and a half after the birth of the child. In this regard, it is simply necessary to prevent complications associated with veins.
Varicose veins and pregnancy – prevention
1. As soon as the first signs of varicose expansion or stagnation of venous blood began to appear, you should immediately make an appointment with a specialist in phlebology. In the future, he must monitor the condition of the pregnant woman.
2. Dehydration and overheating of the body are the main risk factors for women with a predisposition to varicose veins of the lower extremities. Therefore, there should always be an opportunity to drink water.
3. Inactivity is another factor in the development of varicose veins during pregnancy. It is imperative to take walks. You need to walk in the fresh air, at least a couple of hours a day. Swimming has a very beneficial effect on the condition of pregnant women. But physical activity is excluded.
4. Pregnant women must wear only comfortable shoes.
5. Legs need to be given rest. In the evening, it is useful to raise your legs up and lie in this position for half an hour.
6. You should always remember that pregnant women should not undergo any kind of therapy or surgical treatment of varicose veins. The exception is cases when varicose veins pose a risk to the health or life of the mother and child.
7. Special compression underwear for pregnant women can relieve the condition and prevent varicose veins from developing further.
8. If a woman is not yet pregnant, but is planning soon, then a month and a half before the planned conception, it is necessary to treat incipient varicose veins in order to avoid complications during pregnancy.