.What causes varicose veins during pregnancy?

.What causes varicose veins during pregnancy?

As your uterus grows, it puts pressure on the large vein on the right side of your body (the inferior vena cava), which increases pressure in your leg veins.

Veins are the blood vessels that return blood from your extremities to your heart, so the blood in your leg veins is already working against gravity. And when you're pregnant, the amount of blood in your body increases, adding to the burden on your veins. Your progesterone level also rises, relaxing the walls of your blood vessels.

You're more likely to get varicose veins if other members of your family have had them. They're more common in women than men, and if you have them, they tend to get worse with each successive pregnancy and as you get older. Being overweight, carrying twins or other multiples, and standing for long standing for long periods can also make you more likely to get them.

The good news is that varicose veins tend to improve after you give birth, especially if you didn't have any before you got pregnant. And if they don't get better, you can look into varios treatment options after your baby is born.

You may have also noticed tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin, especially on your ankles, legs, or face. These are called spider veins because they often appear in a spider-like pattern, with little branches radiating out from the center. (Though sometimes they may look more like the branches of a tree or separate thin lines with no specific pattern.)

These don't cause discomfort, and they typically disappear after delivery.

How can I prevent varicose veins in pregnancy?

You may be able to prevent, or at least minimize, varicose veins while you're pregnant if you:

·         Exercise daily. Even just a brisk walk around the block can improve your circulation.

·         Stay within the recommended weight range  for your stage of pregnancy.

·         Elevate your feet and legs to the level of your heart or higher whenever possible. Rest your legs on a tall stool or box when you're sitting, and elevate your feet and legs with pillows when you're lying down.

·         Don't cross your legs or ankles when sitting.

·         Don't sit or stand for long periods of time. Take frequent breaks to move around.

You may want to try wearing graduated compression socks or stockings, which are tight at the ankle and get looser as they go up your leg, making it easier for blood to flow back up toward your heart. As a result, they help prevent swelling and may keep your varicose veins from getting worse.

These are available at pharmacies and medical supply stores. Ask your healthcare provider to help you make sure yours fit properly. (Morning is the best time to check for a proper fit because that's when you have the least swelling.)

Put on the socks or stockings before you get out of bed in the morning (while you're still lying down), and keep them on all day to prevent blood from pooling in your legs.

You may have heard advice that sleeping on your left side  can help prevent varicose veins. The theory goes that because the inferior vena cava is on the right side of your body, lying on your left side takes the weight of your uterus off the vein, relieving the pressure on the veins in your legs and feet. Although providers sometimes recommend it anyway, there's no proof to support the claim that sleeping this way prevents varicose veins.

Are varicose veins in pregnancy ever serious?

Varicose veins may itch or hurt, and they can be unsightly, but they're generally harmless in the short term. Treatment, if needed, can usually be postponed until after you have your baby.

However, a small percentage of people who have varicose veins develop small blood clots near the skin's surface (superficial venous thrombosis). When this kind of clot develops, the vein may feel hard and rope-like, and the area around it may become red, hot, tender, or painful.

Call your healthcare provider if you think you have one of these clots because they can be serious. Occasionally the area surrounding a clot becomes infected. You may develop a fever or chills in that case, and you'll need to be treated promptly with antibiotics.

Also, call your provider right away if:

·         Either leg becomes severely swollen.

·         You develop sores on your leg.

·         The skin near the veins changes color.

Don't confuse superficial venous thrombosis with an even more serious condition called deep venous thrombosis (DVT). In this condition, a clot develops in deep veins, usually in the legs. Pregnancy makes DVT more likely whether or not you have varicose veins, but DVT isn't common: Your chance of developing it – either during pregnancy or in the weeks after you give birth – is about 1 in 1,600. (Women with blood clotting disorders or on prolonged bedrest have a higher risk.)

If you develop DVT, you may have no symptoms, or you may have sudden, painful swelling in your ankle, leg, and thigh. It may hurt more when your foot is flexed or when you're standing, and you may have a slight fever as well. If you notice any of these symptoms, call your provider immediately.