If you are no longer pregnant or breastfeeding, and you have symptomatic varicose veins, we would recommend treating this now. While pregnant, there is an increased risk of blood clotting, and treatment would help reduce that risk.

We certainly recommend a thigh-length compression hose of at least 20-30 mmHg compression during pregnancy, if you decide to delay treatment. If you continue to have varicose veins after the second pregnancy, it is unlikely to resolve as there are inherited damaged valves causing backflow.

We advise all pregnant women wear compression and refrain from treatment during pregnancy.
While there are no studies to suggest treatment can't occur during pregnancy, we (and the vast majority of vein specialists) choose to use common sense and prevent potential complications with the mother and child.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Varicose vein symptoms are worse during pregnancy due to more swelling from weight gain, hormonal changes, and increased abdominal pressure. Removal of veins with stab phlebectomy, or endovenous ablation, should be preformed before or after the pregnancy period.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

You should treat your vein problem now before another pregnancy. If you have malfunctioning venous valves, they will worsen with another pregnancy. If you treat them now then the saphenous system should not be a source of venous insufficiency but there is still a chance that other valves in other veins can malfunction.

Published on Jul 11, 2012