If varicose veins run in your family, they are like to appear or get worse during pregnancy. Additionally, if you develop varicose veins, pregnancy can make them appear worse. There are some developments during pregnancy that can cause varicose veins even if there is no history on them in your family.
Veins are the vessels that carry blood to the heart and in the legs, gravity is already making it difficult for the blood to make its return trip. Small valves in the leg veins work like a check valve to keep blood from flowing backwards. Genetically, the valves may be weak and allow blood to flow backwards, causing a build up of pressure in the veins. During the formation of varicose veins pregnancy can add additional pressure due to weight gain, higher blood pressure and the uterine growth.
While varicose veins typically appear in the legs and feet, they have also been known to appear in other parts of the body. Many doctors imply that hemorrhoids are varicose veins, often formed during pregnancy. During pregnancy the growing uterus puts pressure on the vein on the right side of the bottom, making the return of the blood to the heart even more difficult. With the genetic possibility of the forming of varicose veins pregnancy can make them more likely.
Blood Level Increases During Pregnancy
During pregnancy the amount of blood in your system tends to increase, which adds to the burden on your veins. Progesterone levels also increase and this causes the walls of all blood vessels to relax, making them more likely to expand and swell. While during the formation of varicose veins pregnancy may make them more predominant, after delivery there is a good chance they will disappear, or shrink to the point of not being as bothersome.
The good news is that even if varicose veins appear, there are methods for relieving some of the symptoms such as the use of pressure socks and hose to help the blood flow. They have also shown to be helpful in relieving some of the pain that many people suffer due to varicose veins. Pregnancy does not have to be avoided to prevent varicose veins as a person predisposed to them will have them, regardless.
During pregnancy to alleviate varicose veins it is recommended to keep your legs elevated as much as possible as sleep on your left side to help keep pressure off the large vein on the right side.
