Varicose veins are unsightly engorged veins usually found on your legs. Veins transports blood going towards the heart, the action of the muscles in our body serves as the pump to push the blood back to the heart. Veins have valves that prevent backflow of blood but if the vein walls are too weak or the valves are not working properly then blood pools down and the vein swells looking like visible purplish ribbons. It is commonly found on the legs for they support the body’s weight against gravity in situations of prolonged standing or sitting. Leg edema is brought by an excess in fluids in between the tissues. It is normal for a pregnant woman to experience both varicose veins and leg edema in her pregnancy.

The reason why a pregnant mother develops varicose veins and leg edema is primarily due to the added pressure brought by the growing uterus in her belly. This added weight makes the vein’s walls weaker and the valves to malfunction causing blood to pool down the lower extremities and when excess blood is in the legs, edema or swelling usually follows. Some women are prone to varicose veins because of genetic history, other cardiovascular conditions or their type of work involving prolonged sitting or standing. Varicose veins are also attributed to the changing levels of hormone in a pregnant mother’s body.

Prevention of Varicose veins and Leg edema

If there is a family history of being prone to varicose veins, prevention will less likely work. Although it wouldn’t hurt to try these tips on how you can strengthen and avoid worsening your varicose veins.

1. If your work involves prolonged standing or sitting behind a desk try to move around every 30-40 minutes or so. This will prevent the stasis of blood and the movement of the muscle will promote its circulation. Avoid crossing legs when sitting on a chair instead try to elevate your feet up on a stool if possible.
2. After a long day of activity a mother should put her feet up to promote the circulation in the lower extremities. Try to sleep on your left side to prevent pressing on the vena cava thus encouraging blood flow towards the heart as your body rests.
3. For leg edemas avoid using constrictive clothing or tight shoes. Apart from it being uncomfortable it will further constrict blood vessels and prevent proper circulation.
4. Stay in a cool place. Too much heat can worsen the swelling, try to apply a cold compress to the swollen part to provide soothing relief.
5. Engage in physical activities to keep your body moving.
6. Increase fluid intake because this will promote fluid excretion thus reducing the swelling
7. Eat a balanced diet.

Varicose veins and leg edema normally lessens after giving birth. Some varicose veins stay and you might need to have them checked if they start to cause shooting pain on your legs, or if your lower extremities changes in color overtime or you feel numbness and tingling sensations on your feet. These may be signs of a more serious underlying vein problem other than varicose veins.

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3. The Upshot of Pregnancy To Your Feet
4. What Moms-To-Be Should Know About Deep Vein Thrombosis
5. Discomforts of Pregnancy: FAQs on Hemorrhoids