What to do if pregnant women have varicose veins

Varicose veins are a common disease in clinical practice. Standing for a long time or maintaining the same posture for too long can cause poor blood circulation in the legs and cause varicose veins. Many women also experience varicose veins during pregnancy. This is because the growth of the fetus causes the uterus to expand, squeezing the blood vessels around the pelvis, resulting in obstruction of blood circulation in the lower body. These veins will disappear naturally after delivery, so there is no need to worry.

An important cause of varicose veins in the lower limbs of pregnant women is that the pregnant woman's uterus gradually enlarges, compressing the blood vessels in the pelvis, obstructing blood flow to the lower limbs and vulva, causing varicose veins in the lower limbs. This phenomenon often gradually worsens as the pregnancy progresses. The discomfort may be aggravated by standing, fatigue, and hot weather, and may be more severe in the evening. Some pregnant women are unwilling to do any activities or even stay in bed due to the discomfort of varicose veins, which is also wrong. This situation usually disappears on its own after delivery and returns to normal without the need for special treatment. Prevention: In order to control the development of symptoms, pregnant women with varicose veins in the lower limbs should pay special attention to eating less high-fat foods, high-sugar foods, and salty foods. Because these foods can easily make people gain weight and accumulate water, which can aggravate varicose veins.

Solution: To prevent and relieve the discomfort of varicose veins, you can take the following measures.

(1) Get adequate rest, avoid sitting or carrying heavy loads for long periods of time, and reduce the time you spend standing and walking.

(2) Develop the habit of walking for half an hour every day. Wear shoes that fit your feet (do not wear high heels or high boots) and walk slowly for half an hour on a road with few people. When you get home from get off work, if the floor is wooden, you can go barefoot or wear slippers to improve blood circulation in your feet and exercise your muscles.

(3) During lunch break or sleep at night, the legs should be slightly raised, for example, by placing a pillow or cushion under the feet to raise the feet more than 30 cm.

(4) Try to reduce factors that increase abdominal pressure, such as reducing coughing, constipation, etc. Don't spend too long squatting in the toilet.

(5) Avoid using items that may compress blood vessels, such as wearing socks and boots that are too tight, and do not massage your legs vigorously. (6) Pregnant women who already have varicose veins should avoid being near heat sources, such as radiators, stoves, or fireplaces, because heat can aggravate vasodilation, and should refrain from sunbathing for long periods of time.

(7) Do not take a bath with water that is too hot or too cold to avoid causing blood vessels to expand or contract. The temperature of the water used for bathing should be the same as the body temperature.

(8) Severe varicose veins in the lower limbs require rest in a supine position and the limbs should be wrapped with an elastic bandage to prevent rupture and bleeding of the varicose vein nodules.

Varicose veins usually disappear naturally after childbirth. Sometimes varicose veins develop so severely that surgical treatment may be considered after childbirth.