Symptoms and treatment of varicose veins during pregnancy

Expecting a baby is undoubtedly a wonderful time in the life of every representative of the fair sex.However, it is often associated with various fears and complications.One of them is varicose veins during pregnancy.The growth of the fetus puts a lot of stress on a woman's legs, sometimes the blood vessels cannot stand it and this unpleasant disease occurs.It not only spoils the aesthetic appearance, but can also be very dangerous to health and even life.More about this in the article.

Main causes of pathology

Varicose veins in pregnant women are quite common;Every third woman experiences it.

There are several reasons for the appearance of varicose veins during pregnancy:

1. The composition of the blood changes;Fibrinogen increases during pregnancy.It is “responsible” for blood viscosity.This means that the blood becomes thicker, has difficulty moving through the vessels and normal blood flow is disrupted.Therefore, the veins cannot withstand it and expand.As fibrinogen increases, the likelihood of blood clots also increases.
2. An increase in progesterone in the blood is an unfavorable factor for blood vessels.The fact is that this hormone reduces the tone of the uterus and protects the body from miscarriages and premature births.At the same time, vascular tone decreases.
3. During pregnancy, blood volume almost doubles;This increase means that the vessels can no longer handle the unusual amount of blood and become deformed.
4. As mentioned above, the growth of the fetus leads to increased pressure on the blood vessels.

In addition, a woman may have indirect unfavorable factors for the development of varicose veins during pregnancy:

• hereditary factor;
• rapid weight gain;
• insufficient presence of fiber and vitamins in the pregnant woman's diet;
• low mobility.

If the mother suffered from varicose veins on her legs during pregnancy, most likely her daughter will also suffer from it.

Symptoms of varicose veins during pregnancy

At the beginning of the disease, a woman may not feel any symptoms at all.Then spider veins and spider veins appear.But few people pay attention to them.But when leg swelling and night cramps occur in the evening, many people become suspicious.

Next, the veins become visible to the naked eye;They “reach” to the surface of the skin on the legs.This not only affects the appearance but is also a cause for concern.After all, things could get worse!In fact, blood clots can form in dilated veins, which already endanger the life of the woman and the fetus.

It is impossible to completely cure varicose veins during pregnancy;You can get rid of the pathology only after birth.

If you have varicose veins on your legs during pregnancy, you might also be concerned about:

• feeling of heaviness in the legs;
• Difficulty moving (sometimes the legs swell so much that walking becomes difficult);
• excruciating pain in the legs.

Of course, many pregnant women dream of getting rid of these symptoms.For this purpose, you need to contact a phlebologist or surgeon who will tell you what to do.

The most common types

Varicose veins often occur on the legs, and not just during pregnancy.

There are also varicose veins:

• Vulva;
• labia;
• Rectum (better known as hemorrhoids).

The most common varicose veins in pregnant women are the lower extremities and hemorrhoids.The latter causes a woman a lot of problems - pain during bowel movements and blood in the stool.If the treatment of varicose veins during pregnancy is not started on time, major problems may occur, such as: venous bleeding.To prevent this, you must consult a doctor in a timely manner.He will tell you how to treat varicose veins during pregnancy.

Effective treatment

Currently, there are many remedies for varicose veins for pregnant women.But it is very dangerous to prescribe them to yourself.Because many of the medications have serious contraindications.The doctor will prescribe appropriate treatment that will not harm the mother or the baby.

Therapy for varicose veins in pregnant women usually consists of medications taken orally and ointments for external use.But it's worth remembering: some of them cannot be used in the first trimester.

You can also use traditional medicine recipes to treat varicose veins in pregnant women.But first you need to consult your doctor because many of these recipes can be harmful to the baby's life.

Popular methods of struggle

Here are some of the useful traditional medicine recipes for pregnant women:

1. Apple cider vinegar.It can be rubbed into the areas on the legs affected by varicose veins or taken orally, but only in a specific dosage.You should add no more than a teaspoon of vinegar to a glass of water and drink it once a day.Positive changes will be visible within a month after such treatment.
2. Buckeye.Among the remedies for the treatment of varicose veins, this plant always comes first.Because it perfectly strengthens the vascular wall, relieves swelling, relieves cramps and heaviness in the legs.In consultation with your doctor, you can rub horse chestnut tinc into your veins and drink it internally.You need to take the tincture twice a day, a certain number of drops prescribed by your doctor.After ten days you need to take a break.Then the reception can be repeated.
3. Green tomatoes.You need to cut the tomato in half lengthwise and then apply it to the sore spots on your legs.You need to hold it until a burning sensation appears.Some people tie them to their feet overnight and wash them off with cold water in the morning.
4. Kalanchoe tinctureYou can rub your feet, you need to do this every day for three months.
5. Potato.You need to grate several raw potatoes on a coarse grater, apply the paste to a cloth and make a compress.Tie it tightly and remove it after 4 hours.
6. Mugwort.Grind wormwood flowers until smooth, dilute with milk and apply to your feet.Bandage tightly, remove compress after 2 hours.

Therapeutic gymnastics

Remedial exercise also helps with varicose veins.There are various exercises for pregnant women that can reduce the occurrence of this disease.

Here are some of them:

1. Sit on a chair and alternately make circular movements with each leg.Repeat 10 times.
2. Lie on your back, gently lift your legs and make leg movements that imitate riding a bicycle.
3. While standing, stand on your tiptoes and roll onto your heels.Repeat 10 times.
4. Walk in place for two minutes without lifting your socks from the floor.

It is very useful to go down the steps.It is also important to spend a lot of time walking in the fresh air - walks normalize blood circulation.After training, you need to lie on your back with your legs raised 20 degrees.

Basics of prevention

A good way to prevent and treat varicose veins is to use compression stockings.Your treating doctor will help you choose the type and compression.

There are different types of compression stockings:

• tights;
• stockings;
• golf courses;
• elastic bandages.

Tights for varicose veins for pregnant women are used for extensive varicose veins in large areas of the legs, from the feet to the hips.Knee socks are used for small varicose veins in the area up to the knees.Elastic bandages that are attached to the feet and then bandaged to the thigh also help successfully.

The main treatment for varicose veins during pregnancy is aimed at preventing thrombosis and ensuring good blood circulation.

Knitwear should be put on in the morning, preferably without getting up.Beforehand, you can apply a medicated cream.You then need to lie down for another ten minutes to normalize blood circulation.You can wear it all day and take it off before bed.

A woman who becomes pregnant should take the following measures to prevent varicose veins:

1. Sleep on your left side at night.This has a positive effect on the fetus and the mother's blood vessels.
2. Walk more in the fresh air.During exercise, the vascular wall is strengthened, the blood is saturated with oxygen and the blood composition improves.Walking prevents blood clots.
3. normalize nutrition;A pregnant woman's diet should contain all the necessary minerals and vitamins.You can also take vitamin complexes.
4. Do special gymnastics for pregnant women.
5. Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time.
6. Make sure that the pregnant woman's body weight does not increase too quickly.
7. Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
8. To support the stomach, you must use a special bandage.
9. Do not smoke or drink alcohol under any circumstances.
10. It makes sense for pregnant women to visit the swimming pool.
11. A contrast shower strengthens the blood vessels very well.It should only be taken in the morning.Hot baths, baths and saunas are prohibited during pregnancy.
12. Get more rest with your legs elevated.

And you must definitely follow the doctor's recommendations, otherwise the unpleasant consequences of varicose veins cannot be avoided.

Consequences of disease development

If varicose veins are not treated, serious complications are possible.Some of them even threaten the lives of mother and child.

Here are some complications of varicose veins during pregnancy:

1. Thrombosis.Blood clots can form in dilated veins.Sometimes they break off and move through the vessels, which is very dangerous.
2. Pulmonary embolism.This is a serious and life-threatening condition in which a blood clot enters the lungs and blocks blood circulation and oxygen supply.There are no previous symptoms, which makes diagnosing the disease difficult.
3. Thrombophlebitis.A blood clot in a vessel causes inflammation.In this case, redness and swelling of the extremity are visible.Symptoms include severe pain and itching in a specific area.
4. Trophic ulcer.This complication occurs with varicose veins and diabetes mellitus.Not only does the skin become inflamed, but also the bones and tendons.The process takes a long time to develop and various infections are associated with it.

Therefore, in order to avoid such terrible complications, it is necessary to detect the disease in a timely manner and begin treatment.It is important to follow all instructions given by your doctor.