What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are swollen veins that are most likely to appear in your legs, but can also be found in the vulva or other areas. The symptoms of varicose veins are obvious and appear as bulges close to the surface of your skin, sometimes blue or purple in color, and they appear to be curved. In fact, hemorrhoids are varicose veins in the rectum.
Varicose veins may not make you feel uncomfortable, or you may just feel a little uncomfortable. Sometimes you may feel heaviness and pain in your legs, and the skin around the varicose veins may feel itchy, throbbing, or burning. These symptoms usually worsen at night, especially if you stand for too long.
Why are pregnant women prone to varicose veins?
Many pregnant women develop varicose veins for the first time or find that their previous varicose veins have worsened during pregnancy. This is because as your uterus grows, it presses against the large vein on the right side of your body (the inferior vena cava), which increases pressure on the veins in your legs. Because veins are the blood vessels that carry blood from the limbs back to the heart, the blood in the leg veins must also fight gravity during the return process.
After you become pregnant, due to the increase in blood volume in your body, the burden on your veins will also increase. Coupled with the increased levels of progesterone (also called progesterone) in your body, your blood vessel walls will also become relaxed.
Fortunately, varicose veins will get better after you have your baby, especially if you didn\’t have them before you were pregnant. Taking a step back, even if the situation doesn\’t get better, there are many ways to treat it.
Are varicose veins serious in pregnant women?
Although varicose veins may be itchy or painful and may be unsightly, they are usually harmless in the short term. Therefore, if treatment is needed, you can wait until after the pregnancy is over. In a small number of people, varicose veins develop into small clots in the veins on the surface of the skin (also called superficial venous thrombosis). If this type of blood clot forms in a vein, it will feel hard and look like a rope, and the surrounding skin may become red, warm, sensitive, or painful.
Although this type of blood clot is usually not serious, it is important to see your doctor if you think you have one. Occasionally, the area around the blood clot becomes infected, and you may develop fever or chills, in which case you will need to be treated with antibiotics immediately. If you experience significant swelling or pain in either leg, or a change in the color of the skin around the veins, see your doctor right away.
Don’t confuse superficial vein thrombosis with another type of deep vein thrombosis, which is a blood clot in the deep veins of your body, usually in your legs. Whether you have varicose veins or not, pregnancy makes you more susceptible to deep vein thrombosis, but it\’s also uncommon. Your chance of developing deep vein thrombosis during pregnancy and in the weeks after delivery is about 1 in 1, but people with blood clotting disorders or who have been bedridden for long periods of time mayPregnant women are more likely to get sick.
If you have deep vein thrombosis, you may have no symptoms or you may suddenly experience swelling and pain in your ankles, calves, and thighs. The pain may be worse when you bend your foot or stand, and may also be accompanied by a slight fever. If you have any of the above symptoms, see your doctor immediately.
No matter which type of blood clot you have, you will need to be hospitalized for anticoagulant treatment. If left untreated, the clot may break off and travel to the lungs, causing a life-threatening pulmonary embolism. Symptoms of pulmonary embolism include shortness of breath, pain breathing, coughing (or coughing up blood), feelings of panic, and rapid heartbeat. If these situations occur, you need to call the 120 emergency hotline immediately.
Can varicose veins in pregnant women be cured?
Varicose veins usually improve within 3 to 4 months after you give birth to your baby. However, during this period, you must insist on wearing special elastic stockings for pregnant women with varicose veins and perform regular exercises. Don\’t stand or sit for long periods of time, and always lift your legs whenever possible. But if your varicose veins don’t get better, you feel very uncomfortable and unbearable, or you just don’t like the way they look, there are a variety of treatment options available for you, and you can go to the hospital to consult a relevant doctor.
Eight tips for pregnant mothers to fight off varicose veins
1. Don’t lift heavy objects. Heavy objects will increase the pressure on the lower limbs and are not conducive to alleviating symptoms.
2. Don’t wear tight clothes. Belts and shoes should not be too tight, and it is best to wear low heels.
3. Don’t stand or sit for long periods of time. Lying down all the time is also very detrimental to the relief of varicose vein symptoms. Especially in the second and third trimesters, reduce your workload and avoid standing or lying in one position for a long time. Avoid crossing your legs when sitting to avoid impeding venous return.
4. Stay away from alcohol. Drinking alcoholic beverages and drinks can worsen varicose veins.
5. It is best to lie on the left side. When resting and sleeping, sleeping on the left side is beneficial to the blood circulation of the inferior vena cava and reduces the symptoms of varicose veins.
6. Avoid high temperatures. High temperature can easily dilate blood vessels and aggravate the condition.
7. Control your weight. If you are overweight, it will increase the burden on the body and make varicose veins more serious.
8. When sleeping, you can put a towel or quilt under your feet. This facilitates blood return and reduces pressure on the legs.
How can pregnant women prevent varicose veins?
Exercise every day. Even just taking a walk around your neighborhood can help get your blood flowing.
At every stage of pregnancy, you should try to stay within the recommended weight range.
If possible, always lift your legs and feet. Use a stool or box to prop up your legs when sitting; use a pillow to elevate your feet when lying down. When sitting, do not put one leg or oneThe foot rests on the other leg or foot. Don\’t sit or stand for long periods of time, and move around every once in a while.
When sleeping, lie on your left side with your feet on the pillow. Put a pillow behind your back and lean to your left side. Because the inferior vena cava is on the right side, lying on the left side can reduce the pressure of the uterus on the veins, thereby reducing the pressure on the veins of the legs and feet.
Wear special elastic stockings for pregnant women with varicose veins. These socks are also called medical progressive pressure relief elastic stockings. They can start from the ankles and go up the legs to gradually reduce the pressure on the legs. The effect is It\’s great and can be found at drug stores or maternity clothing stores. Twice thicker than regular pantyhose, these socks are tight at your ankles and become looser as they go up your legs, making it easier for blood to flow back up to your heart. Therefore, it prevents puffiness and prevents varicose veins from getting worse. Put on these stockings while you are still lying in bed before getting up in the morning to prevent blood from pooling in your legs. Wearing these stockings all day may be troublesome, especially in hot weather, but don\’t forget that severe varicose veins can make you even more uncomfortable.