Varicose Veins and Pregnancy

Updated on: August 18, 2014

Many women spend half their loves dreaming of becoming pregnant. These are the women who have a natural maternal instinct that just won't be satisfied until they have their own baby safe in their arms. However, these women get a bit of a shock when they realize that pregnancy isn't just about having that "extra glow".

Women might not start seeing the effects of their pregnancy until later, when the varicose veins start appearing. Pregnancy isn't the most comfortable experience; all women will gain weight, some far more than others. Regardless of the amount, the baby itself will put considerable weight on the diagram, making it harder to breathe and move around for the expectant mother as the due date draws near. At this point, varicose veins are the least of an expectant mother's worries!

While some women might be confined to bed rest, others keep working and even exercising right up until the day they give birth. Well, it's good to keep active during a pregnancy, but not too active, because too much activity can lead to varicose veins. How is this possible? All of the extra weight from the baby will be taking its toll on the mother's legs. This pressure will slow down circulation, and so veins will fill with blood and thus become varicose veins later on.

These kinds of veins generally appear in the weeks after pregnancy, as the body starts going back to its original, pre-pregnancy state. Understandably these veins, along with stretch marks, are two things that women definitely don't want on their skin. Cocoa bitter helps the skin's elasticity when it comes to coping with stretch marks, but how can an expectant mother prevent these kinds of veins?

Well, first of all, it's important to note that sometimes, nothing can really be done to prevent these kinds of veins – it sometimes is inherited (thanks a lot, genetics!). But even that is not a cause to worry, because thanks to laser therapy and medicinal injections, the veins can be dealt with and cleared up effectively.

If these kinds of veins aren't the result of genetics, then there are several things that can be done both during and after pregnancy. First of all, stop wearing heels during your pregnancy. That puts way too much pressure on the lower joints and feet, which affects the circulation. Instead, wear comfortable, wide, flat-soled shoes. As your feet swell, you'll certainly appreciate a nice, comfy pair of shoes!

Another thing that you should avoid doing (which you won't be able to do anyway as you get further along in your pregnancy) is crossing your legs. If you're never really looked before, check out the area behind each of your knees. You'll see veins back there, much as you can see the veins on the insides of your wrists. By crossing one leg over the other while seated, you place pressure on these veins, and that can be the trigger for the circulation problems that lead to those dreaded veins.

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