Varicose veins during pregnancy

For pregnant friends, in the middle and late stages of pregnancy, the belly will become bigger and bigger. Because the belly becomes bigger, pregnant women will find that the pressure on the lower limbs is very large. At this time, they often feel back pain and swelling in the lower limbs, which will cause some blue curved objects on the lower abdomen and legs, which looks very unsightly. So what should we do about varicose veins during pregnancy?

What are varicose veins

Varicose veins are swollen veins that usually occur in the legs, but can also occur on the vulva or other parts of the body. Symptoms of varicose veins are that the veins are bulging and curved close to the surface of the skin and appear purple or blue.

Patients with varicose veins sometimes feel heaviness and pain in their legs, itching, cramping and burning sensations in the affected skin, and the symptoms often worsen at night. If you stand for too long, the symptoms will get worse.

Why are pregnant women prone to varicose veins?

During pregnancy, varicose veins may occur not only in the legs, but also in the neck or perineum. There are three reasons:

1. Hormonal changes in the body

During pregnancy, the blood flow in the body increases, causing the venous valves that were previously closed to open and the venous blood to flow backwards; at the same time, progesterone also causes the blood vessel walls to expand, which are the causes of varicose veins.

2. Enlarged uterus compresses blood vessels

As the fetus continues to develop, the pregnant woman's uterus becomes larger and larger, which will compress the pelvic vena cava and inferior vena cava, leading to obstruction of blood return to the lower limbs, increased venous pressure, and varicose veins.

3. Family inheritance & obesity in pregnant women

If there is a history of varicose veins in the pregnant woman's family, or the pregnant woman herself is overweight, these will make the pregnant woman a high-risk group for varicose veins.

What are the hazards of varicose veins to pregnant women and fetuses?

1. For pregnant women

Varicose veins during pregnancy basically do not affect the circulatory system of pregnant women. Only in extremely rare cases will a pregnant woman suddenly experience lower limb pain, heat, redness and swelling, accompanied by fever, rapid heartbeat, and difficulty breathing. This may be a symptom of pulmonary venous thrombosis and requires prompt medical attention.

In addition, under normal circumstances, the varicose vein symptoms of most pregnant women will improve and gradually recover 3 to 4 months after delivery, and the symptoms of leg pain and itching caused by varicose veins are relatively rare. However, if varicose veins do not improve after delivery, you need to seek medical attention immediately.

2. For the fetus

Varicose veins in pregnant women do not affect the fetus's systemic circulatory system.