There is an opinion that varicose veins during pregnancy are an obligatory phenomenon, almost a “symptom”. This is wrong. Many healthy women carry a child for the entire term without congestion in the venous system. Of course, for this you need to have enough “reserves” of collagen in your body to provide load on your legs. It has been established that during the first pregnancy, varicose veins are detected in 1/3 of women, during the second - already in 2/3, and during the third, it affects up to 80% of women in labor.
At its core, varicose veins during pregnancy are a manifestation of an existing but hidden insufficiency of the peripheral veins. Instead of holding and pushing venous blood towards the heart, the entire adapted mechanism is disrupted: the walls of the veins are weakened, the valves sag.
The enlarged uterus puts pressure on the organs and venous plexuses in the abdominal cavity. As a result, conditions are created for pregnant women to slow down the blood in the extremities; bluish dilated veins and nodular protrusions appear on the legs.
Varicose veins in pregnant women have characteristic causes of development that are not found in the body of other people.
Alcohol causes irreparable harm to the child and the expectant mother’s own body.
Clinical manifestations of varicose veins in the initial stage occur at the end of the working day or in the evening. Swelling appears in the feet, a feeling of tightness in shoes. On the legs and thighs, the woman notices an expanded subcutaneous mesh of thin veins. After rest and sleep, these changes disappear.
In the future, cramps in the calves of the legs at night and when walking, pain in the legs, fatigue, and itchy skin are possible. Veins appear as thick subcutaneous cords with nodes. Constant swelling appears on the feet.
In the third trimester of pregnancy, varicose veins can develop not only on the legs. The veins on the labia, in the vagina, and in the hemorrhoidal ring expand. During pregnancy, varicose veins can be detected in the groin.
Prevention of varicose veins of the legs and perineal organs during pregnancy begins even before conception. Obstetricians suggest preparing for the upcoming pregnancy. You can safely use all types of treatment without fear of the side effects of drugs on the fetus. The expected pregnancy proceeds more safely.
There are special stockings for pregnant women, and standard tights are also recommended. This underwear must be worn while lying down, when the veins in the legs are in the most collapsed state. It is selected depending on the size. The fabric has a fairly dense but elastic structure. Maintains muscle tone in the legs, and in tights and the lower abdomen.
If in the last weeks of pregnancy it becomes uncomfortable to use stockings, it is recommended to put an elastic bandage on your legs in the morning from foot to thigh and wear it all day.
The right heel helps distribute weight evenly and ensure a “comfortable” position for the fetus.
Pregnant women should have a special attitude towards shoes. Here you need to observe moderation: narrow high-heeled pumps are also contraindicated, like ballet flats or flip-flops. It is necessary to maintain an optimal heel height of 3-5 cm.
Weight control indicates the correct course of pregnancy. A lot of attention is paid to the nutrition of a pregnant woman. A sufficient amount of protein and vitamins provides the veins with “building material” and helps maintain them in the necessary tone. Excess weight causes excess load on blood vessels.
In order for a healthy baby to be born, and for the mother to be able to raise and feed him, you will have to forget about some habits.
It is better to do exercises under the supervision of a specialist.
It is not recommended to engage in treatment based on television advertisements. Doing this is not only dangerous for the child, but most often it is useless. Because the advertised drugs may only have an effect at the “cosmetic” stage of varicose veins.
Preparations in the form of cream, gel or ointment may contain substances that promote allergies and are harmful to the fetus. In treatment you should only consult a doctor. A dosage form such as a cream should be excluded from use altogether. It contains a very low concentration of the active substance. Suitable for thinner skin on the face and neck, but not on the legs.
Of the gels, preparations with a cooling effect are most often recommended. They temporarily relieve fatigue and help with pain.
Fastum-gel, Lyoton 1000-gel, Venoruton-gel contain substances that help increase the tone of the veins.
Obstetricians and gynecologists have different attitudes towards the use of traditional methods of treatment: some believe that the use of herbal remedies can provoke unwanted allergic reactions and categorically reject them. Others say that you should limit yourself to external rubbing and compresses on sore areas with potato juice, soda solution, and nettle decoction. But do not use internal remedies, as they can affect the tone of the uterus.
The indication for surgical treatment of varicose veins of the legs, despite pregnancy, is a non-healing trophic ulcer or severe spreading thrombophlebitis.
In this case, it is preferable to perform the operation within six months. Doctors always try to use one of the low-traumatic methods (sclerotherapy, frequency ablation). The decision on further treatment is postponed to the postpartum period.
After pregnancy, a woman is also recommended to wear special stockings for 2-3 months and do leg exercises. If blood circulation is not restored, a routine examination and treatment by a phlebologist will be required.
Women in labor are required to bandage their feet. Natural childbirth is chosen if there is no suspicion of the formation of blood clots in dilated veins. During pushing, the pressure inside the peritoneum increases sharply. There is a danger of a blood clot entering the heart.
For women whose pregnancy occurs against the background of an existing heart defect or other chronic diseases accompanied by circulatory failure, a Caesarean section is indicated.
Varicose veins in pregnant women should be taken very seriously. This is not a cosmetic defect. This is a serious problem for both the mother and the unborn child.
Wearing special underwear to compress veins during pregnancy helps reduce the appearance of varicose veins or prevent their occurrence. To do this, you need to choose the right size of the product and the degree of compression (type of compression). The use of stockings during labor may be beneficial in preserving the integrity of the blood vessels of the lower extremities.
The main factors that lead to dilation of venous vessels during pregnancy include:
We recommend reading the article about why varicose veins appear during pregnancy. From it you will learn about the causes of varicose veins during pregnancy, risk factors, complications and treatment options for varicose veins in pregnant women.
And here is more information about how to choose and wear compression hosiery for varicose veins.
Pain occurs with varicose veins if the disease is advanced. They can be in the pelvis, groin, legs, knees. How to relieve or alleviate severe pain from varicose veins during pregnancy, after surgery, and remove cramps? What folk remedies will help?
During pregnancy, preference is given to non-drug treatment methods. For varicose veins, one of the main options is to wear compression stockings. It has the property of compressing superficial vessels, allowing blood to flow through deep veins. At the same time, blood circulation is activated, and tissues are better supplied with nutrients. By increasing fluid drainage, swelling is eliminated.
Therefore, wearing compression garments is recommended for all manifestations of varicose veins; it helps prevent the disease and facilitates its course, regardless of the stage.
Incorrectly selected underwear not only causes discomfort when worn, but can also impair blood circulation in the lower extremities. Therefore, the best option for a pregnant woman is to contact a specialist who will help her make the right choice.
There is knitwear for preventive compression; you can purchase it in a specialized store yourself, but only if there are no manifestations of varicose veins, or they occur only in the evenings in the form of slight fatigue or swelling of the legs. The skin should be of normal color, without dilated blood vessels.
For therapeutic purposes, all compression garments are divided into 4 compression classes:
Each of these classes creates a certain amount of pressure on the legs. Different manufacturers can classify their products in their own way, so you need to know the accepted correspondence between pressure (in mmHg) and compression degree: up to 21 for the first, up to 30 for the second, up to 46 for the third. The fourth class has ranges greater than 46 mmHg. Art., it is made strictly according to individual measurements.
Table on compression garments
Before purchasing, you need to pay attention to the presence of markings: if the “Ral” mark is indicated on it, this means that pan-European standards are used. Particular attention should be paid to purchasing compression garments online. Before purchasing, it is advisable to fully study the characteristics of the product.
If the amount of DEN (denier) is indicated on the package, then this underwear does not have medicinal properties, but is stockings or tights of increased density and strength.
There are several types of underwear with their own advantages and disadvantages. They must be selected based on the location of the dilated veins. If there is swelling only on the ankles and lower third of the shin, then you can use knee socks; in all other cases, stockings or tights are needed. For varicose veins in the perineum, compression pants are recommended.
They are considered the most convenient option. Reasons for popularity include:
How to put on compression stockings correctly
For correct selection, you need to measure the circumference of the shin above the ankle and under the popliteal joint, as well as above the knee at a distance of 25 cm, then from the last point to the first you need to measure the total length of the product. The disadvantage of stockings is that they slide down the leg, which, in addition to discomfort, interferes with the uniformity of the therapeutic effect.
When buying tights, you need to measure all the previously mentioned parameters; in addition, you need to take into account the circumference of the waist and hips, as well as the length of the entire leg - from the foot to the groin area along the inner surface. Tights fit firmly and are recommended to be worn starting from the fifth month, as special products for pregnant women help maintain the stomach in the correct position .
They are a kind of bandage that puts pressure only on the lower part of the groin, helping to reduce the load on the spine. This protects the lumbar region and redistributes the pressure of the uterus to the internal organs and blood vessels. At the same time, the uterus occupies the correct position in the abdomen, blood flow to it is facilitated, and accordingly, oxygen delivery to the fetus increases.
To select the right size, use the mesh supplied by the manufacturer. You need to wear panties over regular underwear; they are not noticeable under clothes.
Stockings and tights of the first and second compression classes can be put on independently; first you need to roll them into an accordion, starting from the cape and, smoothly stretching them, distribute them along the leg. To facilitate the process and preserve the product, put rubber gloves on your hands and slip socks on your feet. The third compression class is characterized by high density, so for such knitwear it is better to purchase a special device.
How to put on compression tights correctly
It is recommended to put on underwear in the morning before getting out of bed, before blood enters the lower extremities. Often before this, the application of a special ointment or gel is prescribed for a comprehensive effect on the veins.
Watch the video on how to choose compression garments during pregnancy:
During childbirth, the blood vessels are put under a lot of stress, and they are often injured, causing additional suffering to women in labor. Therefore, childbirth in compression stockings is becoming increasingly popular. They not only protect veins, but also improve blood circulation in the lower extremities.
After childbirth, stockings will also come in handy, since carrying a baby in your arms creates a lot of pressure in the venous network, which, if predisposed to varicose veins, causes a rapid increase in its symptoms.
We recommend reading the article about why varicose veins occur in young mothers. From it you will learn about the causes of varicose veins, symptoms, methods of diagnosis and treatment, as well as the prevention of varicose veins in pregnant women.
And here is more information about why the veins in the abdomen can change in men and women.
Compression garments for varicose veins facilitate the course of the disease, slow its progression, and prevent the occurrence of trophic disorders. It is recommended to be worn both for prevention and for therapeutic purposes, regardless of the stage of venous insufficiency. To make the right selection, you need to know your size and compression class. If there are clinical manifestations of varicose veins, then it is recommended to purchase knitwear after consulting a specialist.
Nine months of waiting for a baby is a serious burden on the body, and varicose veins during pregnancy are one of the pathologies that threaten the mother. Most often occurs on the legs. How to treat and avoid varicose veins?
Properly selected compression hosiery for varicose veins can slow down the disease. There are different types, including special sports ones. It is important to consider the degree of compression.
If varicose veins are identified, or there is a tendency to their appearance, then only correctly selected shoes for varicose veins can slow down the progression process. Which one should you choose?
Varicose veins after childbirth, the treatment of which is carried out under the supervision of a doctor with carefully selected drugs, can be prevented and reduced independently.
It is quite difficult to treat hemorrhoids during pregnancy, since some drugs and procedures are prohibited. For external use at home, baths may be suitable, even in the 3rd trimester. For internal and bleeding, especially in the early stages, only surgical methods and suppositories.
A change in the vein in the abdomen can be either an alarming signal or a completely natural phenomenon. For example, athletes may experience expansion or swelling during training. If you are pregnant, you should consult your doctor. The reasons are different for women, men, and children; if it hurts, you need to see a doctor.
The drug Phlebodia is prescribed for swelling, varicose veins, and hemorrhoids. Often there is no problem with how to take the pills - once a day. The doctor will tell you how long to take it in each specific case. Is it possible to take Phlebodia 600 during pregnancy?
Phlebologists advise using Troxevasin for varicose veins. The drug is available in the form of ointment, gel, and capsules. Which form should I choose? Is it possible during pregnancy?
According to statistics, varicose veins are common during pregnancy. During the first pregnancy, this disease affects approximately 20% of women, during the second this figure increases to 50%, and during the third it is 80%. Therefore, we can say that varicose veins and pregnancy are a common combination.
Being a woman means having the opportunity to experience the happiness of motherhood, but bearing a child, in addition to positive aspects, also carries a number of unpleasant consequences for women’s health. One of these is varicose veins of the lower extremities, groin area and genitals.
Varicose veins are a disease that leads to dilation of the superficial vessels of the lower extremities, groin, perineum, vulva and rectum (hemorrhoids) due to incompetence of the venous valves.
However, it is not only pregnancy itself that predisposes to the appearance of varicose veins. There are several factors that indicate a high risk of developing the disease.
The main question of interest to pregnant women is the dangers of varicose veins during pregnancy.
The danger is that a blood clot may form in the dilated vein and tear it off the wall. A large blood clot can block the pulmonary vein, which can lead to death for both mother and fetus.
With varicose veins of the vulva and perineum, there is a risk of rupture of the vein wall during childbirth, which can lead to massive bleeding with large blood loss.
In the presence of pronounced varicose veins of the vulva and labia, the question of a planned caesarean section is raised.
Where do varicose veins occur during pregnancy? Varicose veins during pregnancy are a common occurrence, but it is during this period that rare types of the disease develop:
Let's look at the symptoms. Dilation of veins during pregnancy clearly makes itself felt already in the second trimester, especially for the second and subsequent gestations.
The first sign of the onset of the disease is usually venous networks or stars; such varicose veins, as a rule, do not manifest themselves in any way and look only like a cosmetic defect. Symptoms of varicose veins largely depend on the location of the dilated veins.
The initial stages of the disease of the lower extremities manifest themselves with slight swelling of the legs and a feeling of heaviness in the legs, which occurs in the evening and completely disappears by the morning.
If no therapeutic measures are taken, cramps in the calf muscles are subsequently observed at night; this symptom often accompanies varicose veins during pregnancy.
As the disease develops, visible expansion of the saphenous veins appears. They are visible under the skin, can protrude above it, are expanded and are often sharply tortuous and look like knots. At this stage, there may be changes that are manifested by itching, dry skin, and thickening. In advanced stages, poorly healing trophic ulcers of the leg appear. Severe varicose veins rarely occur during the first and second pregnancies; they are most often observed in women who suffered from them before conception.
Pregnancy and varicose veins often give rise to the following forms of varicose veins, which are extremely rare. Varicose veins of the labia rarely occur without pregnancy. It manifests itself as a pronounced pattern of veins appearing through the skin. The veins are dilated and tortuous. There is a feeling of dryness, tightness, itching and discomfort, sometimes aching pain in the labia area, which intensifies with prolonged sitting and straining. Deformation of the labia occurs. There is a risk of rupture during childbirth and bleeding.
Varicose veins of the vagina and perineum are manifested by discomfort and pain during sexual intercourse, there is a feeling of burning, discomfort and pain when walking, urinating and defecating. There is a risk of rupture and bleeding during childbirth. After childbirth, dilated veins usually subside and the symptoms of the disease disappear.
Varicose veins of the uterus can be mistaken by a doctor for various gynecological pathologies.
Varicose veins in the groin area almost always accompany diseases of the uterus and vagina. It manifests itself as a pronounced venous pattern and a feeling of heaviness and fullness in the lower abdomen and groin.
The question of how to treat varicose veins during pregnancy is asked by many women with this disease. This is really important, because taking systemic drugs is contraindicated, as they can negatively affect the child.
Treatment consists mainly of using local remedies, various ointments and gels.
Heparin ointment, Lyoton-gel, Hepatrombin are drugs that prevent the formation of blood clots in the veins.
Troxerutin, Troxevasin, Venoruton, Venitan, Glivenol suppositories are drugs that improve the tone of the vascular wall. Stop the progression of the disease.
Also, treatment of varicose veins during pregnancy is complemented by the use of compression garments. The class of compression hosiery should be selected by a phlebologist or vascular surgeon depending on the condition of the veins.
Prevention of varicose veins during pregnancy is a very important issue that a woman should think about even before conception. To avoid varicose veins during pregnancy, you need to follow simple rules:
Varicose veins and pregnancy, unfortunately, often accompany each other. Knowing the symptoms and prevention measures will tell you how to avoid varicose veins during pregnancy.
Varicose veins often develop in pregnant women. At this time, the body is preparing for childbirth, the joints become more mobile, the ligaments soften, and at the same time the frame of the vein walls becomes softer. They are compressed by the growing uterus in the pelvis and prevent the outflow of blood from the legs. The load on the veins increases, and varicose changes occur in them.
Pregnant women who have signs of varicose veins, or if they have a predisposition to it, should consult a phlebologist. It is better to do this before the dilated veins become clearly visible.
In the second and third stages, sometimes in the form of a severe complication, acute thrombophlebitis appears. In this case, urgent surgical intervention is required, as it is very dangerous.
Approximately half of pregnant women suffer from veins of the lower extremities, but few develop thrombophlebitis. If the pregnancy is repeated, the problem may become more complicated. In most pregnant women, the dilation of the veins is temporary, and after childbirth they return to normal within a year.
Typically, varicose veins are treated surgically, in which the diseased veins are removed. But during pregnancy this method is contraindicated. Most often, for such patients in the early stages of pregnancy, the doctor prescribes ointments and gels, venotonics and oral medications that have anti-inflammatory and decongestant effects.
Traditional medicine recommends making lotions, compresses, and foot baths from infusions of medicinal herbs to prevent varicose veins. If the disease has already begun, then herbal medicine can be used as an auxiliary treatment.
Grind the flowers and grass of sulfur wormwood thoroughly, mix three tablespoons with 500 grams of curdled milk. Apply gauze soaked in the infusion to the sore area and cover with cellophane. Keep the compress for about twenty minutes; it is better to place your feet on a high pad. You need to do this procedure twice a day.
Compresses made from scalded cabbage leaves will also help with night pain. They reduce local inflammation and relieve pain.
Pour one tablespoon of hop cones into a glass of boiling water and leave in a water bath for twenty minutes. The steamed raw material is filtered and squeezed. A compress is made from the decoction.
The same infusion can be prepared from chestnut. It can be left overnight, but for a long-term compress it is not recommended to use cellophane, as it may cause diaper rash; it is better to use parchment paper for these purposes.
Place fresh chamomile flowers in a bottle, fill them with any vegetable oil and place in a dark place to infuse. The bottle must be shaken periodically. After a month, strain the oil and squeeze out the rest. The oil is rubbed into places where dilated veins are visible, twice a day. It is possible in the morning and in the evening.
Grind the calendula flowers and brew one tablespoon of flowers with a glass of boiling water. Infuse for an hour in a thermos, then strain. Melt 200 grams of lanolin in a water bath and mix it with the infusion. Rub into areas of dilated veins or make compresses at night.
It is better to store the ointment in the refrigerator.
Foot baths with infusions of medicinal herbs added to the water are very useful. They can be done three times a week. Mix cudweed, red clover and birch leaves in equal parts. Take 200 gr. mixture of herbs and brew with two liters of boiling water. Heat for ten minutes in a water bath and pour into a thermos. After 1 hour, filter, mix with warm water so that the mixture is no more than 38 degrees, since hot baths are contraindicated during pregnancy. After taking a bath, do a light relaxing massage, and then lie for forty minutes with your legs raised up. It's better to do them before bed.
An infusion prepared from equal parts of leaves and flowers is useful for varicose veins:
Brew two tablespoons of herbal mixture with two glasses of boiling water. First leave in a water bath for 15 minutes, then let it brew for another 40 minutes. Take half a glass four times a day.
Timely contact with an experienced phlebologist and prevention will allow a woman to safely carry and give birth to a child, and her legs will remain healthy and beautiful.