Varicose veins during pregnancy

Pregnancy can occur in many ways during phenomenal changes in a woman's body. A woman may experience some unexpected side effects as she prepares to have a baby soon. These include the growth of thick hair, shine and hardened nails, radiant skin and an increase in breast size and fullness.

Unfortunately, not all pregnancy changes are desirable and enjoyable. There will be weight gain, mood swings and frequent urination. This is due to the fact that pregnancy is accompanied by profound changes in the female body due to the reconstruction of the hormonal background. The arteries also undergo significant changes - the tones decrease, the permeability of the walls increases and blood flow slows down. Varicose veins are one of the diseases that can appear for the first time during pregnancy or begin to develop actively.

WHAT IS VARICOSE DISEASE

Varicose veins of the lower extremities are permanent and irreversible varicose veins caused by rough changes in the walls, as well as a lack of valve apparatus due to a genetic defect. The main factors in the onset of varicose veins are hereditary weakness of the vascular wall. Secondary factors that cause varicose veins are long-term stress on the lower extremities.

Statistics show that 40-65% of expectant mothers develop varicose veins at least once in their lives. Most obese women suffer from varicose veins during pregnancy.

Although varicose veins are most common in the legs, they can also occur elsewhere. Mixed veins may appear in the abdomen, vagina, or vulva, especially in late pregnancy. This occurs when there is increased pressure on the arteries in the lower abdomen and uterus.

Causes of varicose veins during pregnancy

As the period progresses during pregnancy, a number of changes occur that create the initial conditions for varicose veins.

1. Initially, as the uterus grows, it puts pressure on the inferior vena cava, the largest vessel in the human body. Excessive pressure causes a slowdown in blood flow, increasing stress on the arteries in the legs where there is more blood stasis. This causes varicose veins in the legs during pregnancy.
2. Second, during pregnancy, a woman's body produces more blood to support the developing baby and to deliver a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients to the placenta and fetus. Due to the increased load, the arteries have to work harder to return carbonated blood from the extremities and pelvis to the heart. This can lead to vascular valve insufficiency and blood clots in the legs, ankles, feet and other areas.
Third, an increase in the level of female sex hormones during pregnancy reduces the tone of the smooth muscles in the walls of blood vessels (especially blood vessels). It can also help varicose veins in pregnant women.

Varicose risk factors during pregnancy

Varicose veins are a hereditary disease. If a mother or grandmother suffers from varicose veins during pregnancy, a woman's risk of contracting the disease increases dramatically.

Varicose veins increase with age, weight gain and each subsequent pregnancy. If a woman has twins or triplets, the risk of varicose veins in the legs in pregnant women is doubled.

Lifestyle and work habits (standing or sitting for long periods of time) can also cause varicose veins.

Symptoms of varicose veins in pregnant women

Some women have slightly swollen, twisted, multi-colored veins on their legs - it's just a matter of cosmetics. In others, varicose veins during pregnancy cause unpleasant symptoms - swelling, pain or severe discomfort in the legs. In all women with varicose veins, this is the main symptom of varicose veins. If the vein is not damaged, it can lead to serious complications, including blood clots, phlebitis and trophic ulcers. In addition, there is an increased risk of a fatal complication - PE (pulmonary embolism).

You should watch for signs of varicose veins during pregnancy:

• swelling in the legs and ankles, feet;
• spasm or pain in the thigh or lower leg;
• fatigue, heaviness in the legs;
• Anxiety, especially the desire to move your legs constantly at night;
• itching in the legs, dry or pale skin, burning sensation;
• twisted, protruding "stars", larger twisted veins;
• wounds on the legs or ankles that heal for a long time or do not heal at all;
• Leg pain when a woman walks or lifts her legs.

Will varicose veins worsen during pregnancy?

Unfortunately, varicose veins often get worse as pregnancy progresses. As the saphenous veins dilate, twist, swell, and become more visible, the woman notices increasing pain and other symptoms (swelling, skin changes, heaviness).

Varicose veins during pregnancy: What to do

If a woman has symptoms of varicose veins, it is important to consult a phlebologist. After a thorough physical examination, the doctor will carefully assess the condition of the feet, ankles, legs and thighs to confirm the presence of varicose veins and rule out possible complications (using ultrasound and vascular Doppler measurements). As for varicose veins in the vulva, the obstetrician-gynecologist will see it during the routine examination.

Treatment of varicose veins in pregnant women

Surgery and minimally invasive procedures are often not prescribed to treat varicose veins during pregnancy. This is associated with a high risk of complications and relapses. In addition, the appointment of drugs - phlebotonics, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelets - is very limited.

There are a number of guidelines to help expectant mothers treat varicose veins safely and relatively effectively.

• Dosed physical activity. For pregnant women with varicose veins, swimming, walking or other exercises involving the muscles of the legs help to increase blood circulation in the arteries of the extremities. The phlebologist, together with the obstetrician-gynecologist, will select an individual set of exercises for a certain period and severity of the pregnant woman's condition.
• Properly fitted shoes. A high heel and a completely flat foot impede the movement of the muscles in the leg and disrupt venous blood circulation. You should choose stable, comfortable shoes with a small heel (3-4 cm).
• Compression form. During pregnancy, you should wear tight-fitting clothes to support your arteries. The phlebologist will individually choose the degree of compression and the type of product - knee-length, socks or tights. You should leave them without getting out of bed in the morning and take them when a woman goes to bed in the evening.

HOW TO IMPROVE VARICOSE DURING PREGNANCY

There are a number of tips for preventing varicose veins in pregnant women, and following them can help ease the disease and reduce anxiety:

• Crossing your legs. Sitting on one leg prevents the flow of blood through the arteries and can increase blood pressure.
• Change position. If you have to sit or stand at work all day, change your posture as often as possible. This prevents blood from accumulating in the legs.
• Lie on your left. As your belly grows, it will be harder to lie on your back. For varicose veins, try to lie on your left side, not your right. This prevents pressure from the uterus on the arteries in the abdomen and helps blood flow from the lower extremities at night.
• Raise your legs. Raise your legs more often during the day. Ideally, they should be above the level of the heart so that gravity helps the blood to flow more actively. When lying in bed, you can rest your feet on the pillow to help blood flow while lying down.
• See your salt intake. When you take in too much salt, more fluid flows into your arteries, which can increase the pressure in your arteries. Excess fluid penetrates the tissues and causes edema. For plenty of water to maintain a proper fluid balance in your body.
• Track your weight. During pregnancy, a woman's body changes, the expectant mother gains weight. The higher the body weight, the greater the pressure on the arteries of the lower extremities. The doctor will evaluate the gains and clarify the weight norms.

VARICOSE AFTER BIRTH

What is the most important concern for expectant mothers about varicose veins after pregnancy? Varicose veins usually disappear 3 months after the baby is born. If the changes do not disappear after 3 months, you should contact a phlebologist.

Manifestations of varicose veins, which first appear during pregnancy, usually disappear with little or no treatment. However, the more severe the changes, the more likely they are to remain after birth and require treatment. Varicose veins in the vagina or vulva resolve almost naturally after birth.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF VARICOSE DEGREE

Varicose veins can cause serious complications. The risk of dangerous conditions increases: blood clots and venous ulcers.

There are two main blood clots. Superficial venous thrombi form in the saphenous veins. They generally do not migrate to the lungs. Dangerous deep vein thrombosis. Blood clots that form in them can break and enter the pulmonary arteries. It is important to see a doctor immediately:

• varicose veins harden like a rope;
• the surrounding tissue becomes hot, painful or swollen;
• There are noticeable changes in the color of the vein;
• ulcers appear on the skin;
• There is a painful, severe swelling in one leg.

In these cases, phlebologist will prescribe treatment tactics, including minimally invasive surgery to eliminate the risk of life-threatening complications.