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Pregnancy and Varices
What Is the effect of pregnancy on my legs?
Pregnancy is one of
the main causes of vein disease. During the first trimester of
pregnancy hormonal changes affect vein walls and this leads to
spider veins and varicose veins in your legs. During pregnancy, the
volume of blood in a woman's body increases to nurture the developing
baby. Greater blood volume can stretch the veins, causing a number of
temporary vein and circulation problems. In the last trimester of
pregnancy fetal growth , compression of pelvic veins by enlarged
fetus and increased blood volume can cause varicose veins, swollen
ankles and tired heavy legs.
Hereditary factors & increased hormones during pregnancy=
varicose vein disease
Varicose veins occur for their first time in many women during
pregnancy and are present in 40% of pregnant women
What is the cause of swollen legs in pregnancy?
One of the causes
of swollen legs during pregnancy is hypertension of pregnancy. A
specialist must control your blood pressure, if you dont have a
problem with your blood pressure the cause of swollen and heavy legs
may be varicose veins. Increased volume of blood and compression of
pelvic veins by fetal growth are responsible for these symptoms.
Are spider veins of pregnancy temporary or permanent ?
After birth, these
symptoms often decrease or seem to disappear completely. However,
permanent vein damage may have occurred.
What are the preventive methods for varicose vein disease during
pregnancy?
There are effective
prevention and treatment options you can use to help relieve your
symptoms if you are pregnant.
Ask your doctor to assess your circulatory health during pregnancy
to prevent future problems.
Wear compression stockings during pregnancy to preserve your leg
health for years to come.
Avoid standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
Put your feet up regularly.
Get plenty of exercise.
These simple,
preventative steps will help your veins function more efficiently
and may help prevent pregnancy-related vein disease.
Which kind of varicose veins needs to be treated during pregnancy?
If you suffer from serious vein problems during
pregnancy :Under your doctor's care, you can explore treatment
alternatives that can help support your weakened veins, halt the
progression of the disease and let you enjoy an active, pain-free
lifestyle during pregnancy
If
deep vein thrombosis develop : There is also an
increased risk of deep vein thrombosis in women who are pregnant or
who are using oral contraceptives, the most important thing is the
risk that a portion of or the entire clot will become dislodged and
travel through the bloodstream to the lung. This is called a pulmonary
embolism and is a life-threatening complication that requires urgent
treatment. Although some clots may never go away, they can be treated
to prevent the clot from growing.
If you had varicose disease symptoms
before pregnancy your symptoms are going to be worsen after pregnancy.
You may need to see your doctor for methods of preventing progression
of disease.
Cafer Abbasoğlu
jan 2007
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