Many women develop varicose veins as a side effect during pregnancy. Varicose veins are nothing more than swollen or inflamed veins that often bulge toward the surface of the skin. They may appear as crooked purplish, bluish or dark colored veins in the legs. Some women get varicose veins in the rectal area, referred to as hemorrhoids.

While many women will experience no discomfort from varicose veins, others may notice they throb or burn. This is particularly the case for women who work on their feet for long periods of the day.

Who Is At Risk For Varicose Veins

Many women who develop varicose veins during pregnancy had them before getting pregnant. Pregnancy tends to worsen the condition as the uterus places extra pressure on the inferior vena cava in the body, which in turn increases the amount of pressure in the blood vessels of the legs and other extremities. When pregnant your blood volume also doubles, increasing the amount of effort the body puts forth to pump blood through the veins. Rapidly rising levels of progesterone can also relax the walls of the blood vessels in the legs, resulting in a higher susceptibility to varicose veins.

Women who have family members with varicose veins are more likely to develop them than those who do not. Other risk factors include:

• Women with multiple pregnancies, as this places more weight on the uterus and blood vessels.
• Family history of varicose veins.
• Being overweight or gaining too much weight during pregnancy.
• Standing or sitting for longer than normal periods of time.

Treatment and Prevention of Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

You may or may not be able to prevent varicose veins during pregnancy. Fortunately you can take steps to minimize the severity of varicose veins and treat the veins you do have during pregnancy. Here are some simple steps for treating and minimizing varicose veins during pregnancy:

• Be sure to gain an appropriate amount of weight. Carrying too much weight can contribute to varicose veins.
• Exercise regularly to help promote your circulation and decrease the risk of blood pooling in your veins.
• When possible elevate your legs. This is important whether you are at work at your desk or lying down at night.
• Avoid standing or sitting still for long periods of time. Take frequent breaks to stretch while at your desk and shift your weight while standing. This can help decrease the amount of pressure on your legs and help keep your circulation moving. Wiggle your toes regularly and flex your muscles to also promote better circulation in your legs.

• Buy some pregnancy support hose that provide graduated compression. This will not only help reduce bulging but will also help reduce any swelling you experience in your extremities during pregnancy. You can get these online or from a medical supply store or pharmacy. These stockings unlike normal pantyhose are quite thick and help maintain blood circulation. They can also help prevent blood from pooling in your legs if you put them on first thing in the morning.

Will Varicose Veins Go Away?

For many women varicose veins become much less severe after pregnancy. For others they may find they are still uncomfortable after pregnancy. A small number of women are more at risk for developing blood clots in their veins. This condition should be monitored by a doctor. In some cases a clot may need to be treated.

If you do find your varicose veins are problematic after delivery, you can consult with a qualified surgeon to help decide the best course of treatment. Many veins can be minimized or eliminated using modern treatment methods. If you do decide to have your veins treated you should probably wait until after you are done having children, otherwise you may develop new varicose veins in subsequent pregnancies.