Veins in Pregnancy
As you prepare for your little bundle of joy to arrive, you are busy dealing baby names, birth plans and much more. The last thing you want to worry about are the unsightly spider veins and sometimes painful, varicose veins.
When pregnant, your body is producing extra volumes of blood to support you and your baby. This increases the pressure in your circulatory system and so it needs to work harder to stay efficient.
Additionally, your body is going through numerous changes to be able to house your baby. Such as an increase in progesterone production, the “relaxing’ hormone - which can cause veins and their valves to dilate resulting in blood pooling rather than being returned to the heart.
There is no way to completely prevent varicose veins from happening but do not panic just yet, many women see their veins go back to normal within 3-6 months post partum. Varicose veins are hereditary, so if your mother had a similar issue you might find they stick around or reappear in any subsequent pregnancies.
How to help:
Exercise. Get your legs moving by taking a walk or performing other low-aerobic activity like swimming. This will help keep the blood circulating.
Wear compression stockings. Pregnancy compression leggings give your veins more support which can help to relieve pain and reduce swelling.
Maintain a healthy pregnancy weight. While weight gain is normal, excessive increases can put extra stress on your venous system.