Varicose Veins Pregnancy

Varicose veins during pregnancy are common because your feet and legs are more likely to suffer from venous disease due to the added stress on your legs. Venous disease, or venous insufficiency, is a condition in which there is improper blood flow between your legs and heart. It causes blood to pool in the vessels of your legs. This blood pool can often result in varicose veins during pregnancy. Keeping your legs healthy during pregnancy is important for your overall health and well-being.

It is estimated that up to 40% of all women develop varicose veins during pregnancy, and venous disease can develop as early as six weeks into the pregnancy. In fact, venous disease can sometimes be the first sign of pregnancy.

Prevent Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

To prevent varicose veins from forming or to prevent existing varicose veins from becoming worse during pregnancy, pregnant women should ask their health care professional for information about maternity pantyhose with graduated compression.

Graduated compression pantyhose are designed to provide the greatest amount of pressure at the ankle and decrease in pressure as the garment moves up the leg. This pressure variant helps increase blood flow through the legs and back towards the heart.

In addition to wearing graduated compression maternity pantyhose to prevent varicose veins during pregnancy, you should also:

• Talk to your health care professional.
• Avoid standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time.
• Walk regularly.
• Eat a high fiber, balanced diet.
• Control your weight.
• Follow a physician recommended exercise plan. Ask a health care provider about exercises that will help improve blood flow to the legs and feet, therefore reducing your risk of developing varicose veins during pregnancy.
• Avoid high impact aerobics, such as running, jogging, or weight lifting.
• Keep legs uncrossed while sitting. Crossing your legs reduces circulation. This reduction in circulation can cause varicose veins during pregnancy.
• Keep legs elevated higher than the heart when resting. This helps the blood return to the heart, reducing the risk of developing pregnancy varicose veins.
• Don't wear exceptionally tight clothing or girdles.
• When traveling, take time to walk and stretch your legs. This will get your blood moving and reduce your risk of developing varicose veins.

Talk to your doctor or health care provider about the causes of varicose veins during pregnancy and treatment options.