Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

Pregnancy almost always changes the quality of our skin. The odd stretch mark, a little pucker here and there, the occasional pimple and even a few spider veins may appear the surface of your skin. The reason your chances of developing varicose veins increases during pregnancy is because of the pressure that the uterus applies to the surrounding areas. Fortunately there are ways to deal with varicose veins during pregnancy.

Standing

Don’t stand for extended periods of time during the day. Standing aggravates spider veins as it makes it more challenging for the blood to make it back up the body.

Sitting

Whenever possible, try to sit with your feet propped up on a pillow. Don’t cross your legs as that can put added pressure on the circulatory system. If you feel you have to cross your legs when sitting cross them at the ankle rather than at the knee. Maintaining an even blood flow throughout the body is the goal.

Exercise

Exercising will reduce the possibility of varicose veins. The best exercise is walking but not for extended periods of time as that would put too much pressure on the circulatory system. Another excellent exercise to do during pregnancy is yoga. The smooth motions and positioning promotes circulation. Deep breathing exercises can also help your circulation move from your legs upward.

Weight

When you’re pregnant you are naturally going to gain weight, but it shouldn’t be excessive. Putting on more weight than you should during pregnancy is just going to increase your odds of getting varicose veins.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps to maintain the tone and elasticity in your veins. This keeps the circulation functioning properly and reduces the incident of spider veins.

Ankles

Flex your ankles throughout the day. Move them up and down and side to side. This will help the circulation in your legs.

Legs

It sounds odd, but try to keep your legs cool. The purpose of keeping them cool is to avoid distension. Distension means enlarged or swollen. This may be challenging if the babies due date is in July.

Sleep

When sleeping during pregnancy try to lie down on your left side. Put a pillow under your feet. Since one your main veins, the vena cava is located on your right side, lying on your left side will relieve some of the pressure.

Stockings

If you have some varicose veins developing there are medical support stockings available. They can be purchased at medical supply stores or pharmacies. They are tightest around the ankles and become looser as they go up the thigh.

Baths

Taking alternative temperature baths can help circulation. It’s actually quite easy. Have one container full of hot water and the other full of cold water. You should be able to submerge your leg up to your knee. Put your legs in the hot water for about 3 minutes then put them in the cold water for about 30 seconds. Repeat this cycle three times and you will feel relief. If you develop varicose veins during the pregnancy the good news is that with time they will probably fade.