Preventing Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

There are millions of women who are suffering form varicose veins, and nearly half of them got this problem while they were pregnant. During pregnancy and even after child birth, women are so over occupied that they overlook this problem and as the problem remains untreated and unattended for quite a while, the situation becomes even graver. Untreated varicose veins can lead to formation of skin ulcers and blood clots, both of which can cause a lot of problem later on.

What leads to varicose veins during pregnancy?

The increased pressure on the abdomen and weight gain, are the two main factors which promote the growth of varicose veins. The pubic region gets cramped as it makes space for the baby, and this congestion doesn’t allow the blood to flow smoothly to and back from the lower limbs. And the increased hormonal production during pregnancy makes the whole problem even worse. The increased hormonal flow relaxes the muscles and blood vessels. And with the blood vessels going limp, the veins in the lower part of the body are not able to push the blood back to the heart. The blood which remains trapped in the veins causes them to swell out and become visible on the skin.

But the good news is that while nearly 60 percent of the pregnant women experience varicose veins during pregnancy, in more than half of the cases the varicose veins disappear on their own, within three months after childbirth.  However it’s still better to observe some precautions during pregnancy, to prevent the formation of varicose veins.

The precautions:

•    Have lots of vitamin C and vitamin E, as both these vitamins are important for keeping the blood vessels healthy and for keeping the blood circulation in good shape.

•    Avoid standing for long durations.

•    Try not to sit or lie down with your legs crossed.

•    Place your feet on a stool when sitting, so that your legs don’t remain hanging for too long.

•    Wear a pair of support stockings or tights when doing house hold work and when going out for a walk.

•    For your afternoon nap you can place a pillow under your feet to keep the legs elevated.

•    As far as possible try to lie down on your left side when taking rest or sleeping.

•    And lastly, be regular with your exercises and walks.