Varicose Veins During Pregnancy - Know How I Can Stop Them?

Updated on June 26, 2009
N.F. asks from Reno, NV
9 answers

Hey moms! I'm pregnant at about 28 weeks and about a month ago I started getting varicose veins in my thighs. Still have my last trimester to go and I'm nervous about them getting worse. Do any of you have any suggestions on how to stop them from getting worse? I am currently wearing support/compression socks up (calf length) to avoid swelling so I don't know if this is good or bad for veins. this is pregnancy #2 and I didn't get these the first time around! Yuck!

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L.B.

answers from Las Vegas on

Mine went away after the baby was born. Yours will too! The power of positive thinking!

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A.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

Consult your obtorition you might try suphose they help keep your legs supported A. no. Hills

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C.T.

answers from Los Angeles on

I was in a similar situation as you are in now. My first pregnancy had nothing, however my second one I developed varicose veins. The socks are ok, but at a certain point it is hard to put them on. My suggestion and this is what worked for me is drinking lots of fluids and walking every 15 min. I am not sure if you are a sahm or if you work ft/pt. But walking helps to circulate the blood, it wont necessarily make these disappear, but you need to walk b/c they can become very very painful. Just to give you a heads up, they are not likely to disappear after you give birth either. Reduced, of course, but to totally disappear, doesnt happen very often. I hope this helps. Be sure to also raise your concern with your dr.

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M.E.

answers from Los Angeles on

I too am currently pregnant with my second child only a week to go now, but I started getting them a little before you. They were pretty bad and on the front of my calf and inner thigh. They were very uncomfortable. But that being said they have since gotten quite a bit better. My Dr. said the way my baby was laying was affecting my circulation on the right side. So, when she moved down a bit that relieved some of the issue. Now they aren't painful at all. I never wore the hose by the way. Just couldn't bring myself to do it :)

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Y.S.

answers from San Diego on

Hello,
In addition to what people already told you, yoga can be very helpful. There are some specific yoga poses that will feel very good for you. For example, lay on you back with your legs up the wall. You may want to put a pillow under your upper back, since you shouldn't be on your back for too long (pressure on your veina cava) since you are pretty far in your pregnancy. You can always contact me for suggestion where to take prenatal yoga classes.

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K.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi N.,

The only thing that I can think of is the compression socks. I'd ask the Dr. if they're ok to wear, I'm pretty sure that they are.

K.

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C.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi N.,

Sorry to hear you are going through this...but I can relate. I have them too...worse this pregnancy than ever. We are due with baby #4 in August!

Here is what I do...while it helps with the pain and swelling, it does not stop them from coming. I've noticed in my last few weeks, they are popping up on the leg that didn't have hardly any (while my other leg looks like a road map!). I wear maternity compression hose...all the way over my belly. If I put them on first thing in the morning and wear them until I can lay down after the kids are in bed, I notice a HUGE difference at the end of the day in how my legs feel, how swollen the veins are and the degree of pain I have in my legs. It also helps with swelling at the ankles, calves, etc. Granted, it's summer now, and harder to wear them all the time...but when I know I am going to be on my feet all day, I absolutely wear them. I looked at the ones I wear and they are made by Gabrialla Maternity Collection. Here's a link to the hose my OB recommended:

http://shop.nurturecenter.com/maficoho.html

They aren't cheap...but so worth it. I've had mine for years now...and they are still in perfect condition.

Something else I do is try and take a 15-30 minute break throughout the day and put my feet up. If you can do this once or twice a day it does help too. Also, I've found that warm baths really help alot too. If you can sit in one of these once or twice a day for again, 15-30 minutes, I've noticed some relief.

Hope this helps you! Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy :)

C.

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R.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

I had really severe swelling of my feet and ankles when I was pregnant and had horrible spider veins that were very painful. I wore the compression socks or stockings - like panty hose, they have the toeless kind so you can still wear sandals but yet get the compression you need. I have to say that helped enormously for the pain. I also think they kept them from getting worse.

http://www.amazon.com/Jobst-Relief-Knee-15-20-Stockings/d...

In your case, they have the pregnancy kind which will cover your thighs which may not stop what's already happened but it will likely keep them from getting worse and will help with the pain.

I would suggest the kind that are like chaps so you can have your crotch free of the panty hose and belly which I think would be cooler during the summer than the maternity pantyhose.

http://www.brightlifedirect.com/GENDER-Men%27s-Brands-Thi...

Good luck to you!

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Here's some links about it that might help:

http://women.webmd.com/features/new-treatments-for-varico...
http://www.babycenter.com/0_varicose-veins-during-pregnan...
http://prenatal-health.suite101.com/article.cfm/varicose_...
http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.com/preg_varicose_veins...

http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/10/11...
http://www.health911.com/remedies/rem_vari.htm
http://www.emedicinal.com/diseases/varicoseveins.php
http://www.holisticonline.com/Remedies/varicose.htm
http://www.beautyassist.com/varicose-veins/vitamins.html
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/462579-overview

Hope this helps. But be sure to ask your OB/GYN about anything you take in... ie: extra supplements/vitamins/minerals etc.
And certainly tell your Doctor if your are getting pain from them etc.
These articles are informative... you may also do a Google Search on it... ie: varicose veins during pregnancy and any symptoms to watch out for.

All the best,
Susan

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