Varicose Veins During Pregnancy: Should I Go to the Vein Center?

Pregnancy and other hormonal changes definitely make varicose veins more likely to occur, but this does not mean you require treatment. Varicose veins that appear while you’re pregnant may go away on their own, a few months after you give birth. If you notice some bulging, purple veins while pregnant, you’re not alone. Vascular surgeons get questions from pregnant women about varicose veins every day. Fortunately, even though your varicose veins may look unsightly and/or be annoying, this condition typically has no lasting effect on your health or that of your developing baby.

If you didn’t have varicose veins before becoming pregnant, the new varicose veins may completely resolve about 3 months after giving birth. If varicose veins are still present after that time, you can visit the vascular surgeons at your local Houston area vein clinic.

What Causes Varicose Veins During Pregnancy?

A number of circumstances come together when you’re pregnant to cause varicose veins. First of all, your body produces extra blood during this time to accommodate your growing baby, which puts extra pressure on blood vessels. Your altered posture and additional weight also add temporary stress to your leg veins. Until your infant is born (and continuing for a few months after the birth), it will be harder for your veins and muscles to push the extra blood volume from your lower legs and feet to your heart. Gravity, along with pressure from your growing uterus, is working against you. Inevitable hormonal changes, including additional progesterone in your body, cause veins to relax. For all these reasons, pregnancy makes varicose veins more likely.

Preventing Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

Try these special prevention tips from WomensHealth.gov and your Houston vein center:

• Talk with your obstetrician for personalized guidance
• Put on compression hose or support hose before rising from bed in the morning to help blood flow to and from the legs more easily
• Try to sleep on your left side since this reduces pressure on your major blood vessels and helps circulation
• Follow your physician’s guidelines for weight gain
• Don’t strain yourself: stress anytime can be a bad thing, but straining on the toilet can contribute to varicose veins, whether you’re pregnant or not
• Take prenatal vitamins (if your obstetrician recommends them)
• Eat a healthy diet, high in vitamin C, which supports vascular health.

When Should I Go to the Vein Center After Pregnancy?

Varicose veins are not generally treated while you’re pregnant. Be sure to talk to your obstetrician about any varicose veins. If your varicose veins are still present a few months after you give birth, you can then consider Houston vein treatment. For expert post-pregnancy vein treatment, contact the Texas Vein & Cosmetic Specialists. Dr. Michael F. Bardwil and his staff of vein specialists treat all types of vein problems, mild to severe.

Related post: Varicose Veins & Pregnancy

Related post: Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

• Author
• Recent Posts

Dr. Michael Bardwil

Michael F. Bardwil M.D., F.A.C.S., R.V.T., R.V.P.I., is a vascular surgeon and is board-certified in both general and vascular surgery. He has over 26 years experience performing a wide range of surgical procedures. Since 2004, he has dedicated his efforts exclusively to the treatment of leg veins. He has taken his vast surgical expertise and combined it with state-of-the-art, cutting-edge technology, to form Texas Vein and Cosmetic Specialists. He has meticulously written or reviewed all the website content, ensuring that all the medical facts are correct.

Latest posts by Dr. Michael Bardwil (see all)

• Phlebologist vs Vascular Surgeon – What’s the Difference? - August 7, 2023
• What to avoid after sclerotherapy? - January 20, 2023
• Are spider veins permanent? - January 3, 2023