In many ways, pregnancy can be a time of phenomenal changes in the female body. When a woman prepares to have a baby soon, she may notice some unexpected side effects. These can include the growth of thicker hair, shiny hardened nails, radiant skin, and an increase in breast size and fullness.
Unfortunately, not all pregnancy changes are desirable and pleasant. 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. 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 for the first time during pregnancy or begin to actively progress.
WHAT IS VARICOSA DISEASE
Varicose veins of the lower limbs are persistent and irreversible varicose veins resulting from gross changes in their walls, as well as from the insufficiency of their valve apparatus due to a genetic defect. The main factors in the appearance of varicose veins are hereditary weakness of the vascular wall. Secondary factors leading to varicose veins are prolonged stress on the lower limbs.
Statistics show that 40-65% of expectant mothers develop varicose veins at least once in their life. Most obese women suffer from varicose veins during pregnancy.
Although varicose veins are more common in the legs, they can occur elsewhere. Especially in late pregnancy, tortuous veins may appear on the buttocks, vagina or vulva. This happens when the lower abdomen and uterus put more pressure on the veins in these areas.
CAUSES OF VARICOSIS DURING PREGNANCY
As the term increases during pregnancy, a number of changes occur that create the preconditions for varicose veins.
- First, the uterus, as it grows, puts pressure on the inferior vena cava, the largest vein in the human body. Excessive pressure causes blood flow to slow down, putting more stress on the leg veins, which hold more blood. This leads to varicose veins during pregnancy on the legs.
- Secondly, during pregnancy, the female body produces more blood to support the developing baby, continuously supplying oxygen and nutrients to the placenta and fetus. Due to the increased load, the veins have to work harder to pump gassed blood to the heart from the extremities and pelvis. This can lead to failure of the vein valves and the accumulation of blood in the legs, ankles, feet and other areas.
- Thirdly, an increase in the level of female sex hormones during pregnancy reduces the tone of smooth muscle in the walls of blood vessels (especially the veins). It can also contribute to varicose veins in pregnant women.
RISK FACTORS OF VARICOSIS DURING PREGNANCY
Varicose veins are considered a disease with a hereditary predisposition. If the mother or grandmother suffered from varicose veins during pregnancy, the woman's risk of developing this disease greatly increases.
The incidence of varicose veins increases with age, weight gain and each subsequent pregnancy. If a woman carries twins or triplets, the risk of getting varicose veins in pregnant women on her legs doubles.
Lifestyle and work habits (long hours standing or sitting still) can also trigger varicose veins.
Symptoms of varicose veins in pregnant women
Some women have slightly swollen, twisted and multicolored veins in their legs - just a cosmetic problem. 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.
During pregnancy, it is necessary to monitor the signs of varicose veins:
- swelling in the area of the legs and ankles, feet;
- spasms or soreness in the thigh or lower leg;
- fatigue, heaviness in the legs;
- restlessness, especially at night, desire to constantly move the legs;
- itchy, dry or pale skin on the legs, burning sensation;
- twisted and protruding "stars", larger twisted veins;
- leg or ankle sores that take a long time to heal or do not heal at all;
- pain in the legs that disappears when a woman walks or raises her legs.
WILL VARICOSIS BE WORSE DURING PREGNANCY?
Unfortunately, varicose veins often get worse as pregnancy progresses. As the saphenous veins expand, wriggle, swell and become more visible, the woman increasingly notices increased pain and other symptoms (swelling, skin changes, heaviness).
VARICOSIS DURING PREGNANCY: WHAT TO DO
If a woman experiences symptoms of varicose veins, it is imperative to consult a phlebologist. After conducting a detailed physical examination, carefully assessing the condition of the feet, ankles, legs and thighs, the doctor will confirm the presence of varicose veins and rule out possible complications (using ultrasound and vascular Doppler). As for varicose veins in the vulva, the obstetrician-gynecologist will notice this during a routine examination.
TREATMENT OF VARICOSIS IN PREGNANT WOMEN
Very often, surgery and minimally invasive procedures are not prescribed for the treatment of varicose veins during pregnancy. This is associated with a high risk of complications and relapses. In addition, the prescription of drugs is very limited: phlebotonic, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet agents.
There are numerous guidelines that help treat varicose veins in expectant mothers safely and relatively effectively.
- Dosage of physical activity. Swimming, walking or other exercises for pregnant women with varicose veins, which involve the muscles of the legs, help increase blood circulation in the veins of the limbs. The phlebologist, together with the obstetrician-gynecologist, will select an individual set of exercises for a specific period and the severity of the condition of the pregnant woman.
- Shoes of the correct size. High heels and a completely flat sole interfere with the movement of the leg muscles, impairing the circulation of venous blood. You need to choose stable and comfortable shoes with a small heel (3-4 cm).
- Compression shirt. To support the veins during pregnancy, a compression garment must be worn. The phlebologist will individually select the degree of compression and the type of product: knee-highs, stockings or tights. You have to wear them in the morning, without getting out of bed, and take them off in the evening when a woman goes to bed.
HOW TO RELIEVE VARICOSIS DURING PREGNANCY
There are a number of tips for the prevention of varicose veins in pregnant women, the observance of which helps to alleviate the course of the disease and reduce discomfort:
- Do not cross your legs. Sitting with one leg on top of the other blocks blood flow in the veins and can cause blood pressure to rise.
- Change position. If you have to sit or stand all day at work, change your posture as often as possible. This prevents the accumulation of blood in the legs.
- Sleep on the left side. As your belly gets bigger, lying on your back will become difficult. For varicose veins, try sleeping on the left side, not the right. This prevents pressure from the uterus on the veins in the abdominal cavity and helps blood flow from the lower limbs at night.
- Raise your legs. Raise your legs more often throughout the day. Ideally, they should be above the level of the heart so that the force of gravity helps blood flow more actively. While in bed, you can rest your feet on a pillow to help blood flow while you sleep.
- Check your salt intake. When you take a lot of salt, more fluid flows into the blood vessels, which can increase the pressure in the veins. Excess fluid penetrates the tissues and leads to edema. Drink plenty of water to help your body maintain proper fluid balance.
- Track your weight. The female body changes during pregnancy, the expectant mother gains weight. The higher the body weight, the greater the pressure exerted by the weight on the veins of the lower limbs. The doctor will evaluate the gains and clarify the weight regulations.
VARICOSIS AFTER BIRTH
The most important concern for mothers-to-be is whether varicose veins will go away after pregnancy? Varicose veins usually disappear 3 months after the baby is born. If the changes do not disappear after 3 months, you should contact a phlebologist.
Manifestations of varicose veins that first appear when carrying a baby usually go away with little or no treatment. However, the more severe the changes, the more likely they are to remain after delivery and require treatment. Varicose veins in the vagina or vulva almost always resolve naturally after delivery.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF DEGREES OF VARICOSIS
Varicose veins can lead to 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 saphenous veins. They do not usually migrate to the lungs. Dangerous deep vein thrombosis. The blood clots formed in them can break off 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 hot, painful or swollen;
- there are noticeable changes in the color of the veins;
- ulcers appear on the skin;
- painful and severe swelling appears in one leg.
In such cases, the phlebologist will determine the tactics of treatment, including minimally invasive surgical methods, to eliminate inflammation, the risk of life-threatening complications.