Varicose veins during pregnancy

You may have always associated varicose veins with your grandmother more than yourself. That is, until you become pregnant. For most women pregnancy is a time when a whole new range of health-related issues may become all too familiar.

But don’t despair just yet. Varicose veins and spider veins in pregnancy are considered normal and, although you may not be too pleased, they are just part and parcel of the whole wonderful process known as pregnancy.

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are dilated veins found just under the surface of the skin. They form when the valves which are designed to encourage blood to flow in one direction are unable to work well and become ineffective. They mostly occur in the legs but can also be found around the anal region, where they are formally known as hemorrhoids, or piles. During pregnancy, varicose veins are most common in the third trimester. This is when the weight of the baby, the size of the uterus, and the mother's increase in circulating blood volume is at its highest.

What do varicose veins look like?

Varicose veins have a distinctive appearance. If you are personally unfamiliar with them, you're bound to have seen them on other people. Varicose veins are generally a bluish or purple color and are lumpy or knobby. They appear like clusters of dilated, engorged veins. They are not always evenly distributed. Many people, including pregnant women, find that their varicose veins appear more on one leg than the other; or they are more visible in one portion of their legs than another. Often, a portion of one large vein can be seen tracking down the leg. Varicose veins can be almost invisible when lying or sitting down. They can also seem to disappear when the legs are elevated, but on standing, they immediately appear. They are not always painful, and the only negative aspect may be their unattractiveness. Most women find that the larger their varicose veins, the more uncomfortable they become. There can be a sensation of heaviness, aching, throbbing, or general pain from varicose veins.

What are the risks of varicose veins?

Varicose veins can increase the likelihood of having skin rashes such as eczema. There can also be a brownish discoloration to the skin as a result of the capillaries rupturing. Skin ulcers can also form and take a long time to heal because of the reduction in blood flow to the lower limbs. There is also a condition known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) which is more common in women with severe varicose veins of the legs and/or vulva.

What causes varicose veins?

Varicose veins are all about mechanics and are not under your direct control. No amount of wishing or hoping they will go away will have any effect. During pregnancy ,the enlarging uterus presses down on the major blood vessels in a mother's pelvis. These veins are primary arteries which feed back to the heart and lungs and are vital for the mother's life. These blood vessels also need to accommodate a significant increase in overall blood volume while pregnant. Because of the uterine weight and size, there is not a free return of blood to the major organs and a backlog of blood forces blood to pool in the smaller blood vessels of the mother's groin and legs. Another contributing factor is that pregnancy hormones allow the blood vessels to become more dilated and less resistant to blood flow. This is to help deal with the extra blood volume—up to 30% more than when not pregnant—and to maintain a mother's blood pressure at a safe level. The relaxation of the vessels also means that the usual efficiencies and resistance of the veins and valves are not in place. Varicose veins can also occur in and around the vulva. These are particularly uncomfortable, especially at the end of a long day of standing up or running around. They can also appear after intercourse. Cool washcloths, supportive underwear, and lying down to rest can all help. In the majority of women, vulvar varicose veins resolve after their baby is born. If they are particularly bad during pregnancy, a mother may be advised by her healthcare provider to avoid having an episiotomy when the baby is born. This is because there can be an increased risk of bleeding if a vulvar varicosity is cut. The consensus is that it is better for there to be a controlled birth and a mother's perineum be allowed stretch and tear a little, rather than be surgically cut.

What can I do to prevent varicose veins in pregnancy?

Genetics accounts for an increased risk of developing varicose veins. If your mother and or father had them then unfortunately, you're more likely to as well. Biology is not destiny and there are a number of things you can do to reduce the likelihood that you will also have varicosities.

How can I treat varicose veins in pregnancy?

There is very little you can do in terms of permanent treatment. The best advice is to avoid getting varicose veins in the first place by not gaining too much weight and avoiding standing for long periods. Symptoms of varicose veins generally improve in the first few weeks after the baby is born. For some women, varicose veins that develop during their pregnancy are permanent. Similarly, spider veins can remain. There is no point in having them treated if you have not finished having your family. Varicose veins tend to become worse with each subsequent pregnancy and appear earlier in each gestation. Even if you don’t have them between pregnancies, once those pregnancy hormones start up again, you may find those old friends reappear. If you do decide to have your varicose veins treated there are several options open to you. You will need to see a doctor who specializes in veins known as a vascular surgeon. They will be able to advise you on the best treatment options. You may need to have them stripped which require a general anesthetic or, injected with a chemical agent to close the veins. Alternately, laser therapy may be an option for you. This is only done on smaller surface-type veins which do not carry such a large blood flow.

Spider veins and pregnancy

Spider veins look like little red spider webs that lie just underneath the surface of the skin. They are the red or purple capillaries which supply blood to the skin and surrounding networks of tissue. Spider veins don’t have the large dilated and heavy vein look of varicose veins but instead, are generally very small and flat. They spread out via networks and can either be small and contained or can spread. Spider veins are commonly seen on the face of pregnant women and tend to be more visible in fair, Caucasian women. Across the cheeks, on the nose, on the chin and across the forehead are common areas for spider veins to appear. They can also appear in the sclera—the white portion of the eye. They can appear on the legs, upper chest, neck, arms, and torso. Spider veins are common both during pregnancy and after birth. The intense force of pushing out her baby can cause a mother to develop spider veins in her face and neck. These tend to disappear within a week or so. If they don’t, then checking with a dermatologist may be helpful to discuss treatment options.

What causes spider veins?

There are a few influencing factors when it comes to the development of spider veins. Pregnancy hormones—in particular estrogen—certainly contribute, but they're not totally to blame. The increased blood volume associated with pregnancy places pressure on the capillaries. These are more sensitive and fragile during pregnancy. This means that instead of the fine network containing the blood flow, the blood vessels become more transparent and less strong.

What can I do to prevent spider veins in pregnancy?

Treatment for spider veins

There is no treatment for spider veins during pregnancy. The best option is cover them using a cream or concealer. If you are particularly concerned about their appearance after your baby is born, you may want to investigate treatment options with a doctor. Dermatologists specialize in skin assessment and treatments. If you are breastfeeding, you may want to wait to discuss treatment for spider veins with your dermatologist until after you have stopped. Breastfeeding hormones can exacerbate some skin conditions. Laser therapy can be very effective for spider veins and there are a range of different laser treatments now available.