Have you noticed those blue spider-like veins on the surface of your skin after pregnancy? You are not alone. Those veins can be so annoying, however, there’s a lot you can do to minimize them and prevent them from happening.
Why Varicose Veins Appear During Pregnancy?
During pregnancy, blood volume increases, while the flow of the blood from the leg to the pelvis decreases. This leads to pressure on the veins causing those enlarged veins to occur on the leg.
In addition, as the uterus gets bigger, it puts pressure on the inferior vena cava – the vein that carries blood from legs to the heart.
Those veins typically disappear anywhere between 3-12 months after giving birth.
Prevention And Treatment
Varicose veins are not serious; however, they can be a little itchy, uncomfortable and affect your look. Here some measures you can take either to prevent or to treat varicose veins.
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Avoid staying in the same position for long periods of time. Change your position every now and again.
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Avoid wearing high heels. Wearing a comfortable pair of shoes help in boosting healthy circulation in the lower body.
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Workout and stay active. It’s a must to consult your doctor before doing any workouts to avoid serious conditions.
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Wear maternity tights as long as you stand up or walk. When you lie back on your bed or sofa, take them off and place your feet higher than the rest of the body for 5 minutes. Avoid wearing very tight hose that cut off the circulation.
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Sleep on the left side, this will release some of the pressure on the inferior vena cava.
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Reduce sodium intake to reduce swelling.
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Drink plenty of water and eat fiber to avoid constipation. This will prevent Vulvar varicosities – varicose veins that appear on the outer surface of the female genitalia.
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Note:
If the veins get red, swollen, or tender contact your doctor.
Avoid using natural treatments before consulting your doctor.
Resources:
WebMD. (2016). Varicose Veins
APA . (2016, September 2) . Treating Varicose Veins Naturally During Pregnancy