Varicose Veins During Pregnancy: A Closer Look For Moms-To-Be

As if dealing with a swollen midsection, nausea, and fatigue were not enough to make you feel miserable at some points in your pregnancy, you may be left to contend with unsightly bluish veins spreading their way along your legs as well. Unlike spider veins, which look a lot like minimal purple lines, varicose veins are even less pleasant to look at, with telltale lumps and hard-to-ignore swelling. If you are past your first trimester of pregnancy and fear the development of this bothersome pregnancy symptom, it is a good idea to get to know a little more about varicose veins and what causes them.

Exactly what are varicose veins anyway?

Varicose veins are the result of more pressure than usual on the veins that carry blood supply back up to your heart as it is radiating through the body. Pregnant women are especially prone to varicose veins because of the fact that the extra weight and pressure from a growing midsection forces the blood vessels to work harder than usual in their lower body. Even though varicose veins are not harmful, they can definitely make you feel self-conscious about the appearance of your legs, and they may even feel achy when they are inflamed or they may make your legs feel excessively tired.

Is there anything you can do to prevent varicose veins?

If you are careful to get to know the causes of varicose veins, you may be able to prevent the problem. During your pregnancy you should:

• make sure you are getting plenty of exercise to help boost blood circulation throughout your body. 
• keep your legs elevated when seated so the blood vessels don't have to work so hard to circulate blood through your legs and feet. 
• avoid putting on excess pounds during pregnancy by following a healthy diet and adhering to healthy weight-gain guidelines set forth by your doctor. 
• eat plenty of fiber to ward off constipation, which can also contribute to problems with varicose veins because of straining. 

Will the varicose veins go away once you have the baby?

Sometimes the varicose veins will dissipate after pregnancy, gradually returning back to their normal state. However, this is not always the case because once these veins have swollen to an abnormal size, they may stay visible for a long time. Varicose veins can be removed through surgical treatment if you find the problem sticking around long after you have had the baby. 

If you have any further questions about varicose veins, contact a company like Alaska Vein Care.