Expecting a baby is, without a doubt, a wonderful moment in the life of any member of the fairer sex.But it is often associated with various anxieties and complications.One of them is varicose veins during pregnancy.The growth of the fetus puts a lot of stress on the woman's legs, sometimes the blood vessels cannot cope with it and this unpleasant disease occurs.Not only does it harm the aesthetic appearance, but it can be quite dangerous to health and even life.More about this in the article.
Main causes of the pathology
Varicose veins in pregnant women are a fairly common occurrence;every third woman experiences this.
There are several reasons why varicose veins appear during pregnancy:
- The composition of the blood changes;fibrinogen increases during pregnancy.It is “responsible” for blood viscosity.This means that the blood becomes thicker, it is more difficult to move through the vessels, and normal blood flow is disrupted.Therefore, the veins cannot handle it and expand.Additionally, as fibrinogen increases, the likelihood of blood clots increases.
- An increase in progesterone in the blood is an unfavorable factor for blood vessels.The fact is that this hormone reduces the tone of the uterus, protecting the body from miscarriages and premature births.And at the same time, vascular tone decreases.
- Blood volume nearly doubles during pregnancy;This increase leads to the fact that the vessels cannot cope with the unusual volume of blood and become deformed.
- As mentioned above, fetal growth creates increased pressure in blood vessels.
In addition, a woman may have indirect unfavorable factors for the development of varicose veins during pregnancy:
- hereditary factor;
- rapid weight gain;
- insufficient presence of fiber and vitamins in the pregnant woman's diet;
- low mobility.
If the mother suffered from varicose veins in her legs during pregnancy, her daughter is likely to have this problem.
Symptoms of varicose veins during pregnancy
At the beginning of the disease, a woman may not experience any symptoms.Then spider veins and spider veins appear.But few people pay attention to them.But when swelling in the legs appears at night, as well as night cramps, many become cautious.
Next, the veins become visible to the naked eye;they “extend” to the surface of the skin on the legs.This not only spoils the appearance, but also causes concern.After all, it could be even worse!In fact, blood clots can form in dilated veins, which already threatens the life of the woman and the fetus.
It is impossible to completely cure varicose veins during pregnancy;you can get rid of the pathology only after giving birth.
Additionally, if you have varicose veins in your legs during pregnancy, you may be concerned about:
- heaviness in the legs;
- difficulty moving (sometimes the legs swell so much that it becomes difficult to walk);
- dull pain in the legs.
Of course, many pregnant women dream of getting rid of these symptoms.To do this, you need to contact a phlebologist or surgeon, he will tell you what to do.
The most common types
Varicose veins are not only common in the legs during pregnancy.
There are also varicose veins:
- vulva;
- lips;
- rectum (better known as hemorrhoids).
The most common varicose veins among pregnant women are the lower extremities and hemorrhoids.The latter brings a lot of problems to a woman - pain during bowel movements and blood in the stool.If treatment for varicose veins during pregnancy is not started on time, major problems may arise, such as: venous bleeding.To prevent this from happening, you need to consult a doctor in time.He will tell you how to treat varicose veins during pregnancy.
Effective treatment
Currently, there are many remedies for varicose veins in pregnant women.But prescribing them to yourself is very dangerous.Because many of the medicines have serious contraindications.The doctor will prescribe an appropriate treatment that does not harm the mother or the baby.
Therapy for varicose veins in pregnant women usually consists of medications taken orally and ointments for external use.But it's worth paying attention: some of them cannot be used in the first trimester.
You can also use traditional medicine recipes to treat varicose veins in pregnant women.But first you need to consult your doctor, as many of these recipes can be harmful to the baby's life.
Popular fighting methods
Here are some useful traditional medicine recipes for pregnant women:
- Apple cider vinegar.It can be applied to areas of the legs affected by varicose veins or taken orally, but only in a special dosage.You should not add more than a teaspoon of vinegar to a glass of water and drink it once a day.Within a month after such treatment, positive changes will appear.
- Horse chestnut.This plant always ranks first among remedies for treating varicose veins.Because it perfectly strengthens the vascular wall, relieves swelling, relieves cramps and heaviness in the legs.In consultation with your doctor, you can rub horse chestnut tincture into your veins and drink it internally.You need to take the tincture twice a day, a certain number of drops prescribed by your doctor.After ten days you need to take a break.Then the reception can be repeated.
- Green tomatoes.You need to cut the tomato in half lengthwise and then apply it to the painful areas of the legs.You need to hold it until a burning sensation appears.Some people tie them to their feet overnight and wash them with cold water in the morning.
- Kalanchoe tinctureYou can rub your feet, you need to do this every day for three months.
- Potato.You need to grate several raw potatoes on a coarse grater, apply the paste to a cloth and make a compress.Bandage it well and remove it after 4 hours.
- Artemisia.Grind wormwood flowers until smooth, dilute with milk and apply to feet.Bandage well, remove the compress after 2 hours.
Therapeutic gymnastics
Therapeutic gymnastics also helps in the treatment of varicose veins.There are several exercises for pregnant women that can reduce the occurrence of this disease.
Here are some of them:
- Sit on a chair, make circular movements with your feet, alternating each leg.Repeat 10 times.
- Lying on your back, carefully lift your legs and make leg movements that imitate riding a bicycle.
- Standing on your toes and roll onto your heels.Repeat 10 times.
- Walk without taking your socks off the floor for 2 minutes.
It is very useful to go down the steps.It's also important to spend a lot of time walking outdoors - walking normalizes blood flow.After the exercise, you need to lie on your back with your legs raised 20 degrees.
Prevention basics
A good prevention and treatment for varicose veins is the use of compression stockings.Your doctor will help you choose the type and compression.
There are several types of compression socks:
- pantyhose;
- socks;
- golf;
- elastic bandages.
Pantyhose against varicose veins for pregnant women are used for extensive varicose veins in large areas of the legs, from the feet to the hips.For small varicose veins in the area up to the knees, knee-high socks are used.Elastic bandages fixed to the feet and then bandaged to the thigh also help successfully.
The main treatment for varicose veins during pregnancy aims to prevent thrombosis and ensure good blood circulation.
Knitwear should be worn in the morning, preferably without getting out of bed.Before that, you can apply a medicinal cream.Then you need to lie down for another ten minutes to normalize blood circulation.You can wear it all day, taking it off before bed.
A woman who becomes pregnant should take the following measures to prevent varicose veins:
- Sleep at night on your left side.This has a beneficial effect on the fetus and the mother's blood vessels.
- Walk more outdoors.When moving, the vascular wall is strengthened, the blood is saturated with oxygen and the blood composition improves.Walking prevents blood clots.
- Normalize nutrition;A pregnant woman's diet should contain all the necessary minerals and vitamins.You can also take vitamin complexes.
- Do special gymnastics for pregnant women.
- Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time.
- Make sure that the pregnant woman's body weight does not increase too quickly.
- Wear comfortable shoes with low heels.
- To support the abdomen, it is necessary to use a special bandage.
- Do not smoke or drink alcohol under any circumstances.
- It is useful for pregnant women to visit the pool.
- A contrast shower strengthens blood vessels very well.It should only be taken in the morning.Hot baths, baths and saunas are prohibited during pregnancy.
- Rest more with your legs elevated.
And you must definitely follow the doctor's recommendations, otherwise the unpleasant consequences of varicose veins cannot be avoided.
Consequences of the development of the disease
If varicose veins are not treated, quite serious complications are possible.Some of them even threaten the life of the mother and baby.
Here are some complications of varicose veins during pregnancy:
- Thrombosis.Blood clots can form in dilated veins.Sometimes they rupture and move through the vessels, which is very dangerous.
- Pulmonary embolism.This is a serious and potentially fatal condition when a blood clot travels to the lungs, preventing blood circulation and oxygen supply.There are no preliminary symptoms, which makes diagnosing the disease difficult.
- Thrombophlebitis.A blood clot in a vessel causes inflammation.In this case, redness and swelling of the limb are visible.Symptoms include severe pain and itching in a certain area.
- Trophic ulcer.This complication occurs with varicose veins and diabetes mellitus.In this case, not only the skin becomes inflamed, but also the bones and tendons.The process takes a long time to develop and several infections are associated with it.
Therefore, to avoid such terrible complications, it is necessary to detect the disease in time and start treatment.It is important to follow all instructions from your doctor.