Varicose veins during pregnancy are very common, and they usually start because pregnancy causes extra pressure to be put on your veins and changes how blood flows through your body.

When you become pregnant, your body begins to go through many changes, and sometimes this includes the development of varicose veins. This article is going to provide you with an overview of why they occur, how they might be avoided, if they will go away on their own, when you should seek help, and the treatments that are available to help alleviate discomfort and improve the appearance of the affected areas.

What Are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged veins that can become twisted and enlarged, and usually look blue or purple under your skin. They most often develop in the legs because these veins work against gravity to move the blood back toward your heart. Inside each vein are tiny valves that keep blood moving in the right direction. When these valves become weak or stop closing as they should, blood can accumulate in the vein. This causes the vein to stretch and bulge.

Why Do Some Women Get Varicose Veins During Pregnancy?

Varicose veins can develop during pregnancy for a few reasons, including:

During pregnancy, your body produces more blood, which almost doubles your normal levels. This increase in blood begins in the first trimester, but the second trimester is when the volume of blood is quickly increased. This blood is needed to help your body prepare for the demands of pregnancy and provide for the needs of your growing baby.
Pregnancy hormones cause the walls of your blood vessels to relax, which helps your body better adapt to all the changes, but it also makes the vessels more likely to stretch.
There is a large vein (inferior vena cava) located in your pelvic area that is responsible for returning blood from your legs and lower body back up to your heart. During pregnancy, your uterus gradually enlarges and can eventually press so hard against this vein that it slows down this blood flow and causes pressure to build up in the veins in your legs, causing them to bulge.

When Do Varicose Veins Start in Pregnancy?

Varicose veins most often begin to develop during the second trimester of pregnancy because this is the time when your body is producing additional blood at the fastest rate. During pregnancy, your blood volume is increased by between 40% and 50%. They can develop earlier or later depending on genetics, weight gain, and pregnancy history.

What Are the Symptoms of Varicose Veins During Pregnancy?

The most common symptoms of varicose veins include:

Visible bulging veins that are blue or purple in color.
Your legs feel heavy, or achy, or feel like they are throbbing.
Leg cramping, especially after sitting or standing for a long time.
Leg swelling.
Itching around the affected veins.
Skin changes such as discoloration.
Sores that do not heal.

Varicose Veins in Pregnancy: When to Worry

Most varicose veins are not really dangerous, but there are a few red flags associated with varicose veins that you should be aware of. If you notice sudden swelling in one leg, severe pain, warmth, redness, or hard areas along a vein, you need to seek immediate medical attention. These are signs that you may have a blood clot, which is a life-threatening development. Also, if you see changes in your skin, open sores, or a vein that is bleeding, call your doctor and get it checked out to determine the cause.

Are Varicose Veins Treated During Pregnancy?

No, varicose veins are not normally treated with medical interventions during pregnancy, but the discomfort they cause can often be reduced using conservative options.

People ask how to treat varicose veins during pregnancy, but while pregnant, the only thing you can really do is focus on comfort and preventing them from getting worse. Wearing special compression stockings, elevating your legs, staying active, and avoiding long periods of standing or sitting can help minimize discomfort and help keep varicose veins from worsening.

Doctors tend to avoid medical vein procedures during pregnancy because many of the treatments are considered elective, and the symptoms of varicose veins often improve or go away on their own after delivery.

How to Prevent Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

Not all instances of varicose veins can be prevented, but certain lifestyle habits can help lower your risk. Knowing the preventative measures that you can take during your pregnancy can make a big difference and may stop them before they start. Some of the steps you can take to avoid experiencing varicose veins include:

Stay active to keep your circulation flowing smoothly and keep blood from accumulating in your legs.
Keep your weight gain within healthy limits to reduce the amount of pressure that is put on your legs when sitting or standing.
Elevate your legs when resting to help the blood flow back toward your heart, and give your veins a break from working against gravity.
Staying properly hydrated will help improve the viscosity of your blood, which will make it less likely to clot, and will help enhance the elasticity of your vein walls, assist with circulation, and prevent constipation, which can increase pressure on your veins.
Wear compression stockings to help give your veins extra support as they are carrying larger volumes of blood than usual.
Avoid tight clothing around the waist and legs, since it can restrict blood flow.
Sleep on your left side to reduce the pressure on the major pelvic vein (inferior vena cava), which runs along the right side of your body, which will make it easier for the blood to return from the lower extremities to your heart.

Do Varicose Veins Go Away After Pregnancy?

Sometimes. Some women who develop smaller varicose veins notice that these veins have faded or resolved on their own within three to six months after they deliver their baby. However, larger or more damaged veins often do not go away completely and require medical treatment to correct.

We are often asked, “Why do varicose veins in the legs go away after pregnancy?” While some veins may be damaged or too large to resolve and require medical treatment, some just require having patience. Some veins go away on their own naturally because the level of the hormone progesterone returns to normal, which strengthens the structure of the vein walls, blood volume begins to decrease and level out, and the pressure on the veins caused by the enlarged uterus is relieved.

When Is The Best Time To Treat Varicose Veins?

The best time to treat varicose veins is usually after pregnancy and once you have stopped breastfeeding, unless there is a medical concern that requires earlier treatment.

This waiting period allows your hormone levels to stabilize, blood volume to decrease, and many pregnancy-related veins to improve or disappear naturally. It is normally recommended that you pursue vein treatment before any future pregnancies.

Where Can I Get Treatment For Varicose Veins After Pregnancy?

There are several different treatment options for varicose veins, and the one chosen for you will depend on the severity of your condition, the size and location of the affected veins, and any health conditions you may have.

The Laparoscopic & Endoscopic Surgery Institute (LESI) offers many different treatment options for varicose veins after pregnancy, including:

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

This treatment is minimally invasive and involves delivering heat through a thin catheter into the affected vein to close it off. The heat causes the vein walls to collapse and seal shut, which will naturally redirect the blood to healthier veins, improve your circulation, and reduce symptoms like pain or swelling.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is done by injecting a special solution into the affected vein, which causes the vein to stick together and close. Gradually, the closed vein will fade away, and the blood will begin to flow through healthier veins instead. Sclerotherapy works best on small or medium size veins and can often effectively treat the affected veins so you can avoid surgery.

Varithena

Varithena is a specialized sclerotherapy treatment that uses foam instead of liquid. It is designed to treat larger or more complex varicose veins and is more effective than liquid on large veins. The foam pushes blood out of the vein and helps the vein walls collapse more effectively than traditional sclerotherapy treatments.

Compression Therapy

Compression therapy is used for prevention and in conjunction with other vein treatments to help the veins effectively move blood back to the heart. They help ease discomfort and provide stability and support to the areas with affected veins by providing gentle pressure evenly over the surface.

Varicose Vein Treatment in Atlanta, Georgia

Set up a consultation with one of the vein specialists at LESI today. They will help evaluate your condition and provide you with effective options that will deliver the relief you need and deserve.

Varicose vein pregnancy issues are common and often temporary, but they should not be ignored. If your vein symptoms continue after pregnancy, the team of specialists at LESI can help. They will choose a safe and effective treatment plan to correct your varicose veins so your legs can look and feel their best.

FAQs

Can You Give Birth Naturally With Varicose Veins?

Yes, you can normally give birth naturally with varicose veins with no issues. Having varicose veins in your legs or vulvar area does not prevent you from having a vaginal delivery or require a cesarean section. Most women with varicose veins deliver vaginally without any complications.

The pushing phase of labor does add additional, temporary pressure on the veins and exacerbate swelling and pain immediately after delivery, but this usually goes away fairly quickly. Some women find wearing compression stockings during labor and delivery helps mitigate additional swelling. Speak with your doctor about your particular circumstances in advance of your delivery date so you will be prepared.

What Is a Red Flag for Varicose Veins?

A red flag for varicose veins is sudden pain, swelling, or redness in one leg, especially if the area feels warm or hard to the touch. This can be a sign of a blood clot and needs medical attention right away.

Other red flags include skin changes like darkening, thickening, or itching around the vein, open sores or ulcers near the ankle, bleeding from a varicose vein, or pain that quickly gets worse instead of better. These signs can mean poor blood flow or vein disease that should be checked by a vein specialist.

Does Everyone Get Varicose Veins When Pregnant?

No. Every woman is different, and not everyone will get varicose veins during their pregnancy. In some cases, they are unavoidable, but in many cases, adjusting your lifestyle habits can keep your veins healthy. Using compression stockings, staying well hydrated, elevating your legs a few times throughout the day, avoiding standing for long periods of time, and light movement can keep your circulation going smoothly and keep your veins working their best.