Varicose veins during pregnancy

In many ways, pregnancy can be a time of phenomenal changes in the female body. As a woman prepares to have a baby soon, she may notice some unexpected side effects. These can include the growth of thicker hair, shine and hardened nails, radiant skin, and increased breast size and volume.

Unfortunately, not all pregnancy changes are desirable and enjoyable. There will be significant weight gain, mood swings and frequent urination. This is due to the fact that pregnancy is accompanied by profound changes in the female body due to the restructuring of the hormonal background. The veins also undergo significant changes - their tone decreases, the permeability of the walls increases, and blood flow slows down. Varicose veins are one of the diseases that can appear during pregnancy or begin to actively progress.

WHAT ARE MISCELLANEOUS DISEASES

Varicose veins of the lower limbs are persistent and irreversible varicose veins resulting from significant changes in their walls, as well as from an insufficiency of their valve apparatus due to a genetic defect. The main factors in the occurrence of varicose veins are the inherited weakness of the vascular wall. The secondary factors leading to varicose veins are prolonged stress on the lower limbs.

Statistics show that 40-65% of pregnant women develop varicose veins at least once in their lifetime. Most obese women suffer from varicose veins during pregnancy.

Although varicose veins are most common in the legs, they can occur elsewhere. Especially in late pregnancy, tortuous veins can appear on the buttocks, vagina or vulva. It happens when the lower abdomen and uterus put increased pressure on the veins in these areas.

CAUSES OF VARICOSIS IN PREGNANCY

As the term increases during pregnancy, a number of changes occur that create prerequisites for varicose veins.

1. First, the uterus, as it grows, puts pressure on the inferior vena cava - the largest vein in the human body. Excessive pressure creates a slowing of blood flow, increasing stress on the veins in the legs, where more blood stagnates. This leads to varicose veins during pregnancy on the legs.
2. Second, during pregnancy, the woman's body produces more blood to support the developing baby, the uninterrupted supply of oxygen and nutrients to the placenta and fetus. Due to the increased load, the veins have to work harder to pump carbonated blood to the heart from the extremities and pelvis. This can lead to insufficient valves in the veins and a pool of blood in the legs, ankles, feet, and other areas.
3. Third, an increase in the level of female sex hormones during pregnancy reduces the tone of smooth muscles in the walls of blood vessels (especially veins). It can also contribute to varicose veins in pregnant women.

RISK FACTORS FOR VARICOSIS IN PREGNANCY

Varicose veins are considered a predisposed disease. If the mother or grandmother suffered from varicose veins during pregnancy, a woman's risk of developing this disease increases significantly.

The incidence of varicose veins increases with age, weight gain and with each subsequent pregnancy. If a woman carries twins or triplets, the risk of developing varicose veins in pregnant women on the legs doubles.

Living and working habits (long hours standing or sitting still) can also cause varicose veins.

Symptoms of varicose veins in pregnant women

Some women have slightly swollen, twisted, and multicolored veins in their legs - just a cosmetic issue. In others, varicose veins during pregnancy cause unpleasant symptoms - swelling, pain, or severe discomfort in the legs. In all women with varicose veins in their legs, this is a key sign of varicose veins. If left untreated, venous damage can lead to serious complications, including blood clots, phlebitis, and trophic ulcers. In addition, the risk of a fatal complication - PE (pulmonary embolism) - increases.

Throughout pregnancy, you should watch for signs of varicose veins:

• swelling in the area of ​​the legs and ankles, feet;
• spasms or pain in the thigh or lower leg;
• fatigue, heaviness in the legs;
• restlessness, especially at night, desire to constantly move the legs;
• itching, dry or pale skin on the legs, burning sensation;
• convoluted and protruding "stars", larger convoluted veins;
• wounds on the legs or ankles that take a long time to heal or do not heal at all;
• Leg pain that goes away when a woman walks or lifts her legs.

WILL VARICOSIS BE WORSE DURING PREGNANCY?

Unfortunately, varicose veins often get worse as the pregnancy progresses. As the saphenous veins dilate, wiggle, swell and become more noticeable, the woman increasingly notices increased pain and other symptoms (swelling, skin changes, heaviness).

VARICOSIS IN PREGNANCY: WHAT TO DO

If a woman exhibits symptoms of varicose veins, it is imperative to see a phlebologist. After performing a detailed physical examination, carefully evaluating the condition of the feet, ankles, legs and thighs, the doctor will confirm the presence of varicose veins and exclude possible complications (with the help of an ultrasound and aVascular doppler). As for varicose veins of the vulva, the obstetrician-gynecologist will notice this during a routine examination.

TREATMENT OF VARICOSIS IN PREGNANT WOMEN

Most often, surgery and minimally invasive procedures are not prescribed to treat varicose veins during pregnancy. This is associated with a high risk of complications and relapses. In addition, the prescription of drugs - phlebotonics, anti-inflammatory drugs, antiplatelet drugs - is very limited.

There are a number of guidelines that help treat varicose veins in pregnant women safely and relatively effectively.

• Dosed physical activity. Swimming, walking, or other exercises for pregnant women with varicose veins, which involve the muscles of the legs, help increase blood flow to the veins in the extremities. The phlebologist, together with the obstetrician-gynecologist, will select an individual set of exercises for a specific period and severity of the condition of the pregnant woman.
• Correctly fitted shoes. High heels and a completely flat sole interfere with the movement of the leg muscles, impairing the flow of venous blood. You should choose stable and comfortable shoes with a small heel (3-4 cm).
• Compression jersey. To support the veins during pregnancy, it is necessary to wear a compression garment. The phlebologist will individually select the degree of compression and the type of product - knee-highs, stockings or tights. You should put them on in the morning, without getting out of bed, and take them off at night when a woman goes to bed.

HOW TO RELIEVE VARICOSIS IN PREGNANCY

There are a number of tips for the prevention of varicose veins in pregnant women, adherence to which helps alleviate the course of the disease and reduce discomfort:

• Do not cross your legs. Sitting with one leg over the other blocks blood flow through the veins and can build up pressure.
• Change position. If you have to sit or stand up all day at work, change your posture as often as possible. This prevents blood from collecting in the legs.
• Sleep on your left side. As your belly grows, it will become difficult to lie on your back. For varicose veins, try sleeping on the left side, not the right side. This prevents the pressure of the uterus on the veins of the abdominal cavity and promotes blood circulation to the lower extremities at night.
• Raise your legs. Lift your legs more often throughout the day. Ideally, they should be above the level of the heart so that the force of gravity helps the blood flow more actively. While lying down, you can rest your feet on a pillow to promote blood circulation while you sleep.
• Watch your salt intake. When you take a lot of salt, more fluid will flow into your blood vessels, which can increase the pressure in your veins. Too much fluid enters the tissues and causes edema. Drink plenty of water to help your body maintain good water balance.
• Keep track of your weight. The woman's body changes during pregnancy, the pregnant woman gains weight. The higher the body weight, the more pressure the weight puts on the veins of the lower extremities. The doctor will assess the gains and clarify the weight standards.

VARICOSIS AFTER BIRTH

The main concern of pregnant women is whether varicose veins will go away after pregnancy? Varicose veins usually go away 3 months after the baby is born. If the changes do not go away after 3 months, you should contact a phlebologist.

The manifestations of varicose veins that first appeared while carrying a baby usually go away with little or no treatment. However, the more severe the changes, the more likely they are to persist after childbirth and require treatment. Varicose veins of the vagina or vulva almost always go away naturally after childbirth.

WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF DEGREES OF VARICOSIS

Varicose veins can cause serious complications. The risk of developing dangerous conditions is increased: blood clots and venous ulcers.

There are two main types of blood clots. Superficial venous thrombi form in the saphenous veins. They usually do not migrate to the lungs. Dangerous deep vein thrombosis. Blood clots formed in them can rupture and enter the pulmonary vessels. It is important to see a doctor immediately if:

• varicose veins become hard, like a rope;
• the surrounding tissue is warm, painful, or swollen;
• there are noticeable changes in the color of the veins;
Ulcers
• appear on the skin;
• A painful and severe swelling appears in one leg.

In these cases, the phlebologist will determine treatment tactics, including minimally invasive surgical methods, to eliminate inflammation, the risk of life-threatening complications.