Prevent varicose veins during pregnancy
Varicose veins can increase in the second trimester of pregnancy, as your veins dilate due to the pregnancy hormones. More than 1 in 10 of the 3,500 mothers surveyed by MomaSquad have experienced it.
How do varicose veins develop during pregnancy?
During your pregnancy , your blood vessels have to transport more blood so that the uterus and thus your child are optimally supplied. In addition, the veins become more elastic due to increased hormone release. This makes it more difficult for blood to be transported back from the legs to the heart. The bigger your child gets, the bigger your uterus will be. This weight puts additional pressure on the veins in the pelvic area, making blood flow even more difficult. The blood congestion expands the veins and varicose veins usually first appear on the legs, especially on the lower legs and in the hollow of the knee. Varicose veins are nodular, bluish-purple bulges that can cause painful, itchy, and “heavy” legs.
Prevent varicose veins during pregnancy
A lot of exercise , such as walking, cycling and swimming, stimulates blood circulation. You can also do exercises during the day that will be shown to you in a birth preparation course. Avoid standing for long periods, allow yourself breaks from time to time and put your feet up. If you can, you should raise the foot of your bed by about 10 to 15 cm at night. Backflow of blood can also be promoted by dry brush massages from the toes upwards towards the heart.
Help with varicose veins in pregnancy
- In the case of painful varicose veins, you can get relief primarily with ice packs and cool wraps (e.g. with cold quark). You should definitely avoid heat, as it expands the veins.
- There is a lot you can do yourself to prevent varicose veins. Stay active and move a lot. The less you sit or stand, the better. It is best not to wear constricting socks and use free moments for a brush massage from the toes upwards. Put your legs up, preferably several times a day. Contrast showers are ideal in the morning and cold showers on the lower legs help during the day.
- A massage with oils from lavender, cypress, yarrow, lemongrass or myrtle is also good.
- There is also a Venentee, which is composed of buckwheat herb, butcher’s broom, horse chestnut leaves, sweet clover and lemon peel. Although it cannot magic away the pain, it has proven itself in vein therapy. There is also a pregnancy tea. You should take this in the morning and in the evening and drink the Venentee in between. Just ask the pharmacy for advice. In addition, there are also delicious herbal teas on Amazonadvertisement, which are designed for pregnant women and can help during childbirth.
- Homeopathic remedies that work particularly well are Arnica, Hamamelis, and Pulsatilla. It is important that you consult a homeopathically oriented midwife or doctor, as you cannot dose these remedies correctly on your own.
- In the case of very severe varicose veins, your doctor can prescribe compression stockings or medication to prevent thrombosis.
Treatment of varicose veins: when to see a doctor, when to operate?
From a medical point of view, varicose veins are usually harmless and initially a cosmetic problem. However, they can lead to chronic inflammation and ulcers. If swelling or bleeding occurs in the area of the varicose veins, you should consult a doctor immediately.
After the birth, varicose veins usually recede because the increased pressure from the weight of the uterus and your child on the veins is released and the hormonal changes normalize. You should therefore rule out surgical removal during your pregnancy. In addition, an operation is always associated with risks for you and your child.
Unfortunately, varicose veins can reappear with every new pregnancy.