Why Do Pregnant Women Get Varicose Veins?
Posted on: Dec 20, 2017
Pregnancy and Varicose Veins
Anyone can experience varicose veins, but varicose veins are especially prevalent in pregnant women. These raised, swollen blood vessels bulge close to the surface of the skin and usually occur in your legs, but may also appear somewhere else on your lower body. For many pregnant women, these unsightly veins are uncomfortable or make them feel self-conscious, but you do not have to live with them forever.
Why Do Pregnant Women Get Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins occur because blood begins to pool in the veins as it struggles to return to the heart. While pregnant, as the uterus grows in size with the baby, more pressure is put on the inferior vena cava, the main vein that runs along the right side of your body. This, in turn, increases pressure on the veins in your legs. Many women develop varicose veins for the first time when they are pregnant, or if they already have varicose veins, the problem gets worse as their pregnancy progresses. Some women are more likely to develop varicose veins during pregnancy than others.
Tips to Prevent Varicose Veins During Pregnancy
- Sleep on your left side
- Exercise daily
- Elevate your legs
- Watch your weight
- Wear compression stockings
- Avoid constipation
At Vein Clinic of Northeast Nebraska, we care about your vein health. Call our vein clinic at (402) 316-4320 and schedule your next appointment with our vein doctor today!
