Preventing Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

We know from having kids of our own that pregnancy can be overwhelming. Preparing for a new child takes a lot of work, and there are literally books full of health advice to keep up with. As committed vein specialists, we feel that it’s our responsibility to add one more chapter on preventing pregnancy-related varicose veins.

About two in every five pregnant women are affected by varicose veins,¹ so it’s very likely that you already have or will develop varicose veins at some point during your pregnancy. In many cases, varicose veins that develop during pregnancy have no negative long-term health effects. However, some women are at higher risk of developing more serious vein problems following pregnancy.²⁻³ Fortunately, there are a few easy measures you can take to help keep your legs healthy throughout your pregnancy. We’ve put together a quick Q&A to cover everything you need to know about pregnancy-related varicose veins – how they form, who’s at risk, how to prevent them, and what to do if they continue after your pregnancy ends.

When Do Varicose Veins Form During Pregnancy?

For 70% to 80% of women who develop varicose veins during pregnancy, symptoms typically appear in the first trimester – often within the first two to three weeks of a woman becoming pregnant.⁶ As pregnancy progresses, varicose veins may become more pronounced as the veins are subjected to increasing stress.

How Common Are Varicose Veins During Pregnancy?

Varicose veins affect about 40% (almost half!) of pregnant women.¹ One of the most commonly cited studies on this subject observed that around half of pregnant women have varicose veins before becoming pregnant, and the other half develop varicose veins during pregnancy.³

How To Prevent Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

There are a number of measures that you can take to reduce your chances of developing varicose veins during pregnancy.

• When resting, it is best to lie on your left side. This minimizes the pressure the growing uterus puts on the inferior vena cava.

• Avoid long periods of standing and take breaks from standing to exercise or elevate your feet and legs. These activities help to increase blood flow back to your heart rather than pooling in your veins.

• Light exercises that flex the foot and stretch the calf muscle helps to push blood out of your legs and overcome the added pressure on your veins.

• Repeated sessions of water immersion in a swimming pool have been shown to reduce leg swelling, presumably because the external water pressure helps to move blood upwards from the legs.

• Foot massages can help distribute fluid buildup outside of your vessels, reducing swelling and pressure buildup.

• Medical hose (also called compression stockings) may help to prevent blood from pooling in your veins. Graduated compression stockings are tightest at the ankle and loosen as you move up the leg to help blood flow back to the heart.

While prevention is by no means guaranteed, these techniques are backed by some level of scientific evidence and have been shown to help reduce the likelihood that varicose veins will develop during pregnancy.⁴

Do Varicose Veins Go Away After Pregnancy?

If prevention fails, varicose veins that develop during pregnancy often improve three or four months after giving birth without the need for vein treatment. Typically varicose veins that were present prior to pregnancy will persist, and in some cases, vein problems can worsen into more serious stages of chronic venous disease as a consequence of pregnancy.³

At Texas Vascular Institute, it is important to us that you are empowered with the knowledge you need to make the treatment decisions that are right for you. If you have additional questions about your veins and your options, reach out to us at the Texas Vascular Institute. We’re committed to providing our patients with the highest quality vein care.

About the Author

Dr. Dev Batra, M.D. is a vein specialist and founding partner of Texas Vascular Institute. Holding board certifications in radiology and vascular & interventional radiology, he is well-versed in vein issues and has been voted one of D-Magazine’s best doctors in Dallas for three years running.

This blog post was written with research and editorial assistance from OnChart™.

References

[1] Rabhi, Y., Charras-Arthapignet, C., Gris, J.-C., Ayoub, J., Brun, J.-F., Lopez, F.-M., … Dauzat, M. (2000). Lower limb vein enlargement and spontaneous blood flow echogenicity are normal sonographic findings during pregnancy. Journal of Clinical Ultrasound, 28(8), 407–413.

[2] Vuylsteke, M. E., Thomis, S., Guillaume, G., Modliszewski, M. L., Weides, N., & Staelens, I. (2015). Epidemiological study on chronic venous disease in Belgium and Luxembourg: Prevalence, risk factors, and symptomatology. European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, 49(4), 432–439.

[3] Dindelli, M., Parazzini, F., Basellini, A., Rabaiotti, E., Corsi, G., & Ferrari, A. (1993). Risk Factors for Varicose Disease Before and During Pregnancy. Angiology, 44(5), 361–367.

[4] Smyth, R. M., Aflaifel, N., & Bamigboye, A. A. (2015). Interventions for varicose veins and leg oedema in pregnancy. [Review][Update of Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007;(1):CD001066; PMID: 17253454]. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 10(10), CD001066.

[5] Ponnapula, P., & Boberg, J. S. (2010). Lower extremity changes experienced during pregnancy. Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, 49(5), 452–458. [6] Carr SC. (2006). Current management of varicose veins. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 49(2):414–26.

Medical Disclaimer

The Materials available in the Texas Vascular Institute blog are for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the professional judgment of a healthcare professional in diagnosing and treating patients.