Your Online Pregnancy Help Make PregnancySurvey.com Your Home Page!
Search For:
Example: Pregnancy Morning Sickness
Home Page Pregnancy Calendar Questions and Answers Due Date Calculator Ovulation Calendar About Us Contact Us Site Map
You are here: Home -> Changes in You -> Varicose Veins During Pregnancy Today: Tuesday, March 19
Pregnancy Topics
Preparing for Pregnancy
Health and Medical Concerns
Pregnancy Tests
Medications and Treatments
Nutrition and Exercise
Fatigue, Work and Pregnancy
More than One Baby!
Changes in Your Baby
Changes in You
Weight Gain During Pregnancy
Changes in Your Skin During Pregnancy
Varicose Veins During Pregnancy
Depression During Pregnancy
Feeling Your Baby Move
Constipation During Pregnancy
Take Care of Your Teeth During Pregnancy
Discomforts You May Experience During Pregnancy
Breast Changes During Pregnancy
Your Maternity Wardrobe
Your Hair and Nails During Pregnancy
Your Pregnancy Partner
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Substance Use and Abuse
Single Mother-to-Be
Problems in Pregnancy
Labor and Delivery
After Your Baby's Birth
Your New Baby
Feeding Your Baby

Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

Varicose veins (also called varicosities or varices) are dilated blood vessels that fill with blood. They usually occur in the legs but also may be seen as hemorrhoids or appear in the birth canal and in the vulva. Pressure from the uterus and the change in blood flow make varices worse.

What They 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.
Varicose veins may get worse during pregnancy. In most cases, they become more noticeable and more painful as pregnancy progresses. Increasing weight (from your growing baby), clothing that fits tightly at the waist or legs and standing a great deal cause them to worsen.

What Helps

Many women wear maternity support hose to relieve the problem; various types are available. Clothes that don't restrict circulation at the knee or groin may also 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 help the veins drain. Wear flat shoes. Don't cross your legs when you sit down. If you continue to have problems after your pregnancy, surgery may be required.

Maternity Hose

Maternity support hose, also called compression hose, are not the support hose you buy at the store. A specialist fits them for you. Try these two tricks for putting 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.

Prevention

You can do several things to lessen your chances of developing varicose veins in pregnancy. Some practices are the same ones you would use if you already suffered from varicose veins.
Exercise.
Don't cross your legs at the knee.
Don't stand for long periods.
If you must stand, bounce gently on the balls of your feet every few minutes.
Lie on your side several times a day.
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.
Changes in You Articles:
Weight Gain During Pregnancy | Changes in Your Skin During Pregnancy | Varicose Veins During Pregnancy | Depression During Pregnancy | Feeling Your Baby Move | Constipation During Pregnancy | Take Care of Your Teeth During Pregnancy | Discomforts You May Experience During Pregnancy | Breast Changes During Pregnancy | Your Maternity Wardrobe | Your Hair and Nails During Pregnancy
Pregnancy Calendar
Subscribe to Pregnancy Newsletter and receive new and popular pregnancy articles every week.
Your Email Address:
Pregnancy Calendar | Questions and Answers | Pregnancy Glossary | Suggest an Article | Link to Us | Contact Us | Site Map
Please note: All pregnancy articles on this website is for educational and information purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and
treatment, you should consult your personal doctor.
Copyright © 2007, PregnancySurvey.com. All Rights Reserved | Privacy Statement
eXTReMe Tracker