Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a delicate and complex process leading up to great joy. Beyond the unforgettable moments of happiness, like hearing the heartbeat for the first time, learning the baby’s gender, or feeling the first kicks, pregnancy brings numerous changes to the body. These changes are not always positive or pleasant. Among these factors is varicose veins.

What is varicose veins

Varicose veins are an expansion of veins that occurs due to pathological changes in the walls and valves of blood vessels. This expansion can occur in various parts of the body, but the legs are most negatively affected. During pregnancy, varicose veins can develop due to increased load and hormonal changes. If you have already experienced this condition, pregnancy can worsen the situation. 

Today, varicose veins are quite common and appear at a young age. More than every third woman has it, with the average onset age being 25 years. Varicose veins have a hereditary trace. No, they are not inherited, but the likelihood of developing the condition in a child increases by 70% if the mother or father has varicose veins.

Causes of Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

Varicose veins during pregnancy can occur for various reasons. Some of them cannot be foreseen, while others can be prevented, significantly reducing the risk of vein expansion. To act proactively, it is important to know what to fight against. We have compiled the most common causes of the condition:

1. Sedentary lifestyle. Today, even without pregnancy, many engage in sedentary work, which leads to a range of diseases, one of them being varicose veins.
2. Weight gain also leads to the development of varicose veins. With significant weight gain (especially rapid, as often occurs during pregnancy), the load on the veins increases significantly. This leads to an imbalance and disruption in the functioning of the circulatory system.
3. During pregnancy, natural factors are compounded by increased blood viscosity. Due to this, it is harder for the blood to pass through venous channels, leading to their deformation.
4. “Spider veins” and capillary networks formed before pregnancy increase the risk of varicose veins during pregnancy.
5. The development of the condition is also facilitated by hot wax epilation, high-heeled shoes, and prolonged sun exposure.

Of course, hereditary factors cannot be ruled out, but by following simple safety rules, you can significantly reduce the risk of venous disease.

Special attention should be paid to safety in the second half of pregnancy. During this period, a number of hormonal changes occur which increase the risk of the disease. As much as you may want to, switch from heels to comfortable shoes, from wax to gentler hair removal methods, etc.

Symptoms

Varicose veins during pregnancy are complicated by the fact that they are difficult to detect in the early stages. The first symptoms can be confused with simple fatigue or the natural course of pregnancy. You can confirm your health only in a doctor’s office, but there are a number of signs by which you can initially determine the presence of the disease.

1. In the first stage of the pathology, it manifests as muscle fatigue when walking, and barely noticeable webs on the legs. Women may not always notice these symptoms and connect them to a possible disease. After all, who hasn’t been tired from walking, even when not pregnant?
2. In the second stage, the symptoms are more apparent. You may notice periodic cramps, evening pains that are barely noticeable or absent by morning. This is layered on the symptoms of leg pain and fatigue from long walks. At this stage, it is advisable to be vigilant and consult a specialist.
3. At the third stage of varicose vein development, more noticeable symptoms appear. These include intense pain, spider veins, and nocturnal cramps. The veins dilate, which is visible. You can easily see a pattern of blue veins on your legs (or in other inflamed areas).

The disease shouldn’t be neglected. It’s not only aesthetically unappealing and causes a whole complex of uncomfortable symptoms, but it can also lead to the development of eczema. It’s best to consult a doctor at the first symptoms, but even if you have allowed the disease to progress, it’s never too late to start treatment. We’ll discuss treatment methods further, but let’s say right away that varicose veins during pregnancy can and should be treated.

During pregnancy, pathology develops not only in the legs but also in other parts of the body. A woman is susceptible to inflammation in the area of the labia and rectum. Initial causes can escalate into hemorrhoids and other related conditions, even leading to vein rupture.

Why varicose veins are dangerous during pregnancy

Any disease or deviation from the norm is unpleasant even outside of pregnancy. When a woman is carrying a child, the risk of serious consequences increases, and symptoms manifest more prominently. This is because your body does not have the strength to fight accompanying illnesses, as all its energy is channeled into creating and sustaining new life.

Varicose veins are an unpleasant condition that can threaten pregnant women with serious consequences. But what exactly makes varicose veins dangerous during pregnancy:

1. Due to the unique state of the body, the disease can progress much faster, especially if it’s not addressed in any way.
2. With varicose veins, there is a risk of vein rupture and significant blood loss. This may require hospitalization and surgical intervention, which is highly undesirable during pregnancy.
3. Hemorrhoids can cause significant discomfort and may worsen considerably during childbirth. In its advanced stages, treatment is also surgical.
4. Additional pain and discomfort are unnecessary for pregnant women. The disease progresses with complications and accompanying symptoms. It becomes difficult to move, and the pain is severely aggravated. Combining this with the need for long walks in the fresh air is very challenging.
5. Varicose veins increase the risk of developing eczema at the site of inflammation. This is also an unpleasant condition that requires separate treatment.

Varicose veins during pregnancy can develop in various areas. We will further explore the most common issues related to vein enlargement and provide prevention methods. This will help you maintain your health and peace of mind.

Varicose veins of the labia during pregnancy

A common condition for pregnant women is genital varicose veins during pregnancy, affecting both external and internal labia. Every seventh mother experiences the condition to some extent. For some, it resolves on its own after childbirth, while others continue to struggle with the consequences for a long time, even requiring surgical intervention.

In addition to the causes of varicose veins during pregnancy we listed above, there are a few more here. It’s important to note that these causes are beyond a woman’s control and may appear due to the individual characteristics of her body:

1. The main hormone produced during pregnancy, progesterone, can also lead to varicose veins in the labia during pregnancy. With its excess, the walls of blood vessels lose elasticity, leading to the development of the condition.
2. Some stages of carrying a child are accompanied by an increase in the volume of circulating blood in the pelvic area. This leads to increased pressure on the walls of blood vessels and their expansion.
3. From the very first days of pregnancy, the baby grows inexorably. As it grows and develops, which is undoubtedly wonderful, the pressure on the blood vessels in the pelvis also increases. This, in turn, leads to a loss of strength and elasticity of the vessels.

If you cannot influence the characteristic causes, then early detection of the condition depends on you. Pay attention to some symptoms that will suggest whether it is necessary to consult a specialist urgently.

1. Enlargement of the labia. This enlargement is often noticeable, and the gynecologist notes such changes, but if symptoms occur between doctor’s visits, it is worth reporting the issue independently.
2. You may observe swelling and bluish veins.
3. Discomfort and itching may also signal varicose veins.
4. Darkening of the skin in the area.
5. Characteristic pain during intercourse and urination.

During pregnancy, labial varicose veins, although they may disappear on their own after childbirth, it is better not to take risks and to start timely treatment (if the disease could not be prevented).

Uterine Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

Another common type of vein expansion pathology is uterine varicose veins during pregnancy. The uterus undergoes challenging times during pregnancy. The baby constantly exerts pressure on it, leading to a loss of elasticity in the veins, causing varicose veins during pregnancy. But how to recognize uterine varicose veins? Let’s look at the main symptoms:

1. Aching pain in the lower abdomen, lower back, and sacral area.
2. Increased discharge, possibly with blood traces.

Uterine varicose veins during pregnancy are dangerous for the mother’s health. To diagnose it, a doctor may recommend an ultrasound, perform laparoscopy, or use other methods to examine the uterine cavity. It is important to consult a specialist promptly and not endure even the initial symptoms.

Prevention

Preventing varicose veins in all its forms is an important part of responsible pregnancy management. Just a few simple rules will allow you to minimize the possibility of vein expansion. Moreover, these tips are also beneficial for preventing other diseases, contribute to the proper development of the fetus, and ease the birthing process.

1. Engage in moderate physical activity. During pregnancy, exercise plays an important role, but it should be in measured portions and done correctly. Do simple exercises at home, or sign up for yoga, stretching, and other sports suitable for pregnant women.
2. Incorporate blood-thinning foods into your diet. These include tomato juice, lemons, and seafood. However, be cautious. These foods can cause allergies in the early stages. Do not consume them in large quantities.
3. Wear only comfortable shoes. They should not constrict the foot or cause discomfort. The same applies to socks and stockings. It is generally better to avoid stockings altogether, while socks should be chosen with a loose edge.
4. Try to spend time swimming and taking contrast showers. This will help eliminate the possibility of developing vaginal varicose veins during pregnancy.
5. Watch your diet. Constipation leads to the development of hemorrhoids and varicose veins in the labia, so make sure to consume enough water, fresh vegetables, and juices.
6. Try to sit only in a comfortable position, and never cross your legs.
7. Purchase special clothing, including compression stockings.

Preventive methods can significantly reduce the risk of varicose veins during pregnancy. However, if you already have the early signs (let alone advanced stages) of the disease, preventive methods alone are not enough. It is necessary to take action and choose a treatment method.

Treatment

During illnesses during pregnancy, every ailment becomes more complicated. Even a simple cold requires a special approach, not to mention varicose veins. It is important that the treatment is safe and comprehensively addresses the emerging problem. Often, outside of pregnancy, specialists recommend surgery to solve the problem in one session. However, during pregnancy, this is an extreme measure that doctors rarely resort to. So, what should be done? 

1. First and foremost, avoid self-medication. You will need to visit the doctor for a routine check-up anyway, so don’t hesitate to mention any problems.
2. Secondly, do not forget about the aforementioned methods of disease prevention. Even if the illness has already affected you, lifestyle and dietary adjustments can help ease symptoms and make the treatment process simpler.
3. Undergo the prescribed treatment. Most often, doctors recommend three methods of treating varicose veins during pregnancy that are permitted for use during this time. They are applied at different stages. Among them are:

• Endovenous laser coagulation. If the dilation has not reached 10mm, the procedure will remove all symptoms from external to internal within 40 minutes.
• Foam sclerotherapy. If the dilation exceeds 10mm, foam sclerotherapy is prescribed. Up to 20 minutes of a painless procedure and 98% elimination of swellings, inflammations, nodules, and accordingly, pain.
• Miniphlebectomy. The procedure lasts about an hour and allows the removal of extensions from 10 to 18 mm.

All these procedures share several factors, including painlessness, the absence of anesthesia (both local and general), and the absence of scars. These procedures also allow an immediate return to normal tasks (without exertion exceeding the norm for pregnant women).

These treatment methods are also used for treating varicose veins after pregnancy. The regimen in the first trimester and the third trimester may differ. This is due to the peculiarities of fetal development and the impact of various medicinal components on it.

Varicose Veins After Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be a trigger for the onset of the condition but does not contribute to its treatment. If during pregnancy varicose veins affected the expectant mother, and the problem couldn’t be solved during pregnancy, it is necessary to undergo a course of treatment and eliminate varicose veins after pregnancy. 

It is important to be monitored by a phlebologist throughout the pregnancy. The doctor will be able to control the situation, prescribe medications and ointments to alleviate the symptoms, and prevent the disease from developing. 

Surgery after childbirth is also painless and is an effective method of treating varicose veins. The procedure is completely safe and is a sought-after service worldwide. It allows for the treatment of varicose veins in the uterus during pregnancy, pathology in the area of the labia, on the legs, and other areas of the body. 

In addition, the doctor may prescribe ointments, the wearing of special stockings, and the use of medications. Often, specialists choose treatment that allows the mother to breastfeed her baby.

Varicose Vein Remedies

Treatment of varicose veins during pregnancy is focused on strengthening blood vessel walls and reducing blood viscosity. This helps reduce inflammation and swelling. There are many effective medications and ointments available in pharmacies for the treatment of varicose veins during pregnancy, but they must be used strictly under the supervision of a specialist, especially during pregnancy.

So, you’ve encountered the pathology. Varicose veins appeared during pregnancy and you don’t know what to do? Among the most popular treatments today are:

1. Phlebotonics group of drugs — Glivenol.
2. Anticoagulants — Clexane.
3. Detralex, which alleviates swelling.
4. Ginkor Fort — an effective antioxidant.
5. Fibrinolytics.

The specialist prescribes tablets based on the clinical picture as well as individual characteristics of the body. As a rule, treatment consists of a combination of several groups of medications, physical exercises, swimming, and other measures. Only a comprehensive approach will effectively combat diseases of the perineum and legs without harming the baby’s health.

By taking care of yourself during pregnancy, you are also taking care of your baby. Help yourself manage your pregnancy, don’t forget to visit your doctor and take medications on time with the momslab.app application.