Pregnancy and Varicose Veins
Having a baby is a wonderful time in a couple's life. Looking forward to that brand new life is an immense joy that brings with it insurmountable hope for the future. Unfortunately, having a baby also taxes a woman's body more than just about any other change she'll ever experience, and just one of those new stressors can be varicose veins. The American College of Phlebology reports that nearly half of all women develop varicose veins in their lifetime, and for many women, it happens during pregnancy. Varicose veins are those blue-colored veins that stick up at the skin. Not only do they look unattractive, but they can be painful and even cause serious circulation problems. The good news for all the pregnant women in Morristown is that varicose veins during pregnancy typically go away within just a few months of delivery.
The amount of blood in a woman's body increases during pregnancy, which is one of the reasons varicose veins can be so prevalent among pregnant women. In addition, a growing uterus can put pressure on the inferior vena cava (IVC), which is the largest vein in the body. When pressure is put on the IVC, this puts stress on leg veins, often developing into varicose, or enlarged, veins. Additionally, the hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy can have an affect on circulation because increased progesterone can cause blood pooling. This can result in the development or progression of varicose veins.
Varicose veins are known by most people to occur in the legs. The reason for their prevalence in the legs is that pressure, commonly from prolonged standing or sitting, can build up in the legs and cause problems with blood circulation. What many people don't know, though, is that hemorrhoids are also a form of varicose vein. Hemorrhoids are rectal blood vessels that become enlarged and cause some of the same symptoms as varicose veins in the legs, such as pain, burning, and itching. Hemorrhoids are also a common form of varicose vein occurring in pregnant women, especially in the third trimester when the body is handling even more pressure.
Thankfully, there are steps women can take to lessen the occurrence or even prevent varicose veins during pregnancy. These include:
1) Regular exercise: Moderate exercise during pregnancy for 20 to 30 minutes, three or more times per week, can help to reduce the chances of developing varicose veins during pregnancy, or worsening those that already exist. Of course, talk to your doctor when starting an exercise program, especially during pregnancy.
2) Sleep on your left side: Because the biggest vein in the body, the IVC, is located on the right, try lying on your left side when sleeping in order to get the blood flowing back to your right side.
3) Maintain a healthy weight: Extra weight will put stress on your body in so many different ways, including decreasing circulation.
4) Elevate your legs: Your mom always tells you to elevate your legs during pregnancy, and she's right! Sitting back and relaxing with your legs elevated above your heart is a great way to improve circulation. Try doing this about every three to four hours for optimal blood flow.
5) Wear compression stockings: Compression stockings, also referred to as support hose, help to redirect blood to the heart. Talk to your doctor about how to determine what type and size would be best for you.
6) Avoid prolonged standing or sitting: This is especially important during pregnancy, when extra weight can put more strain on legs that will result in poor circulation. If your job requires you to stand for long periods of time, switch positions often and try to walk around once an hour or so, just for a couple minutes, in order to increase blood flow.
Pregnancy is such a wonderful thing to experience. Planning and waiting on a new baby is one of life's most wondrous adventures. But the changes that occur in a woman's body during pregnancy can take a toll on the health of mom and baby. Be sure to let your doctor know about all of your health issues, including varicose veins. There's no need to suffer from varicose veins, as there are many varicose vein treatments available, even during pregnancy.
The amount of blood in a woman's body increases during pregnancy, which is one of the reasons varicose veins can be so prevalent among pregnant women. In addition, a growing uterus can put pressure on the inferior vena cava (IVC), which is the largest vein in the body. When pressure is put on the IVC, this puts stress on leg veins, often developing into varicose, or enlarged, veins. Additionally, the hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy can have an affect on circulation because increased progesterone can cause blood pooling. This can result in the development or progression of varicose veins.
Varicose veins are known by most people to occur in the legs. The reason for their prevalence in the legs is that pressure, commonly from prolonged standing or sitting, can build up in the legs and cause problems with blood circulation. What many people don't know, though, is that hemorrhoids are also a form of varicose vein. Hemorrhoids are rectal blood vessels that become enlarged and cause some of the same symptoms as varicose veins in the legs, such as pain, burning, and itching. Hemorrhoids are also a common form of varicose vein occurring in pregnant women, especially in the third trimester when the body is handling even more pressure.
Thankfully, there are steps women can take to lessen the occurrence or even prevent varicose veins during pregnancy. These include:
1) Regular exercise: Moderate exercise during pregnancy for 20 to 30 minutes, three or more times per week, can help to reduce the chances of developing varicose veins during pregnancy, or worsening those that already exist. Of course, talk to your doctor when starting an exercise program, especially during pregnancy.
2) Sleep on your left side: Because the biggest vein in the body, the IVC, is located on the right, try lying on your left side when sleeping in order to get the blood flowing back to your right side.
3) Maintain a healthy weight: Extra weight will put stress on your body in so many different ways, including decreasing circulation.
4) Elevate your legs: Your mom always tells you to elevate your legs during pregnancy, and she's right! Sitting back and relaxing with your legs elevated above your heart is a great way to improve circulation. Try doing this about every three to four hours for optimal blood flow.
5) Wear compression stockings: Compression stockings, also referred to as support hose, help to redirect blood to the heart. Talk to your doctor about how to determine what type and size would be best for you.
6) Avoid prolonged standing or sitting: This is especially important during pregnancy, when extra weight can put more strain on legs that will result in poor circulation. If your job requires you to stand for long periods of time, switch positions often and try to walk around once an hour or so, just for a couple minutes, in order to increase blood flow.
Pregnancy is such a wonderful thing to experience. Planning and waiting on a new baby is one of life's most wondrous adventures. But the changes that occur in a woman's body during pregnancy can take a toll on the health of mom and baby. Be sure to let your doctor know about all of your health issues, including varicose veins. There's no need to suffer from varicose veins, as there are many varicose vein treatments available, even during pregnancy.