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What Are Varicose Veins and How to Prevent Them During Your Pregnancy?

<p>Pregnancies are often hard on women, and they have to undergo several complications during this period. One such complication is leg swelling during pregnancy. A woman&rsquo;s body undergoes several changes and an increase in body weight. This causes strain on the legs, leading to swelling in the feet during pregnancy.</p>

<h2><strong>Pregnancy Swelling in Legs </strong></h2>

<p>One can experience swelling in their feet and fingers during pregnancy. Leg swelling in pregnancy usually occurs when a pregnant woman&#39;s body holds more water than usual. When the baby grows, the weight of the uterus tends to increase. The increased weight then puts pressure on the feet and legs of women. Furthermore, it can lead to reduced blood circulation, increasing the fluid buildup in the body, which causes swelling in the feet and legs.</p>

<h2><strong>What can help to minimise swelling? </strong></h2>

<p>Feet swelling in pregnancy is common, and one cannot get rid of it instantly. However, there are certain ways by which women can minimise this swelling. Tips that can help minimise pregnancy swelling in the legs are as follows:</p>

<h3>1. Avoid standing for long</h3>

<p>Pregnant women should avoid standing for long as it can increase pressure on their feet. They should find time to sit and relax, and they should keep their feet up when relaxing. One can also rotate their feet gently at the ankles and stretch their calf muscles by flexing the feet. Lying down with feet elevated can also help them reduce the pain.</p>

<h3>2. Use waist-high compression stockings</h3>

<p>Compression stockings are the best accessory that women can use to minimise leg swelling during pregnancy. One should wear supportive tights and stockings all day to relieve themselves of swelling. It is to be noted that one should avoid knee-high stockings as they can worsen the swelling.</p>

<h3>3. Do some exercise</h3>

<p>Movement in the body is necessary to keep leg swellings in check. One should take short walks and do occasional cycling to keep their muscles engaged. A few laps of swimming in a pool can also help minimise swellings. In addition, a pregnant woman can do some foot exercises to relieve the swelling in her legs.</p>

<h3>4. Sleep on the left side</h3>

<p>A woman can transfer the pressure from the large vein by sleeping on the left side of the bed, improving blood circulation in their feet. This vein carries blood from the lower part of the body to the heart. Using a pillow to take off the pressure, one can also keep their feet elevated.</p>

<h3>5. Drink water</h3>

<p>By increasing the water intake in their body, women can get rid of excess fluid. The excess water will replace these fluids causing swelling, eventually reducing the swelling in feet.</p>

<h3>6. Cut down sodium</h3>

<p>Cutting down sodium is the best way to remove the excess fluid from the body. And to do this, one should avoid canned or processed food. One should replace the salt in their diet with other alternatives such as rosemary, oregano, and thyme.</p>

<h3>7. Say no to caffeine</h3>

<p>Caffeine is a diuretic substance, meaning that it causes frequent urination. This can signal the body needs to hold on to the fluids, worsening swellings. One can try decaf coffee or replace it with herbal tea for a much-needed energy boost.</p>

<h2><strong>Exercises for Foot </strong></h2>

<p>Foot exercise can help women minimise leg swelling during pregnancy. It can increase blood circulation in the feet. Some feet exercises that women can do to relieve themselves of foot swelling are -</p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p>A pregnant woman needs to flex their feet up and down to bend and stretch them. They need to repeat this motion thirty times on each foot.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Circularly move the feet and make small circles with the feet. They should repeat this motion eight times clockwise and anti-clockwise, respectively, for better results.</p>
	</li>
</ul>

<h2><strong>What causes this to happen, anyway? </strong></h2>

<p>Leg swelling during pregnancy is a normal thing, and one should get worried too much about it. One of the primary reasons for sweeping can be the generation of extra fluids in the body to support the growth of the fetus. The reason for leg swelling can vary from trimester to trimester.</p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p>The rapid increase in progesterone levels in the first trimester can lead to abdominal bloating. This can also cause slight puffiness in the feet, hands, and face.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>During the second trimester, there is a rise in the volume of blood and fluids in the body to support the baby. This puts pressure on the feet, decreasing blood circulation and then swelling.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>The third trimester is when the size of the uterus increases significantly, causing swelling in the feet.</p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p>In addition to these, some other reasons that can cause swelling in feet during pregnancy are imbalances in diet, increased caffeine intake, dehydration, and hot weather.</p>

<p>So this was everything a woman needs to know about leg swelling during pregnancy. They can remember all the things that lead to leg swelling and follow the tips mentioned above to minimise it.</p>


<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Pregnancy is a rollercoaster journey, full of strange symptoms and body changes. One such weird pregnancy symptom you may notice during your pregnancy is spider veins. These thread-like veins, usually on your thighs or the back of your legs, are scary to look at but mostly harmless. In this article, we will discuss what are spider veins, what causes spider veins and how to manage them.</span></p>

<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong>What are Spider Veins?</strong></h2>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Spider veins are blue or purple veins that can occur during pregnancy on a woman&rsquo;s ankles, legs, or face. They don&#39;t cause any serious pain but can make your legs feel heavier. The skin around the spots created by spider veins can also feel itchy. Spider veins, like varicose veins, are very common during pregnancy and around 3-4 women out of 10 develop spider veins when they are pregnant. </span></p>

<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong>Are Spider and Varicose veins the same thing?  </strong></h2>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">A common way to differentiate between Spider and Varicose veins is that Varicose veins are more swollen, larger, and can be seen and felt right under the surface of your skin in comparison Spider veins are smaller and not nearly as swollen and cannot be felt. Varicose veins are caused by malfunctioning valves in your veins while spider veins can be caused due to a variety of factors. </span></p>

<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong>What causes spider veins during pregnancy?</strong></h2>

<p><span style="font-size:16px">Usually, the valves in our veins push blood towards the heart. However, sometimes the valves weaken and don&#39;t close correctly. This can cause the blood to leak back into the bottom of the veins and build up. Over time, the wall of the veins weakens and grows larger, causing spider veins to appear. </span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:16px">During pregnancy, the blood volume inside the body increases and creates significant pressure on the blood vessels. Additionally, the expanding uterus also adds pressure on the veins. This can cause the small veins to swell, putting pregnant women at a greater risk for spider veins. Moreover, genetics also play an important role. if your mother or sister had spider veins or varicose veins, then you&#39;re likely to develop them too. </span></p>

<h2><strong>How can you prevent or manage spider veins? </strong></h2>

<p><span style="font-size:16px">Here are some steps you can follow to minimize the development and spread of spider veins:</span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><strong>1. Increase fibre in your diet </strong></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Ensure that you get enough high-fibre foods in your diet as constipation can contribute to swollen veins. A healthy digestion system will prevent any unwanted pressure on your circulatory system which is a major cause of spider veins. If you&#39;re not able to add enough fibre naturally consider a fibre supplement like psyllium husk. </span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><strong>2. Eat Vitamin-C rich foods </strong></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Your body uses Vitamin C to manufacture elastin and collagen which help your body to repair and maintain veins. Collagen and elastin are two important connective tissues that help repair and maintain veins. </span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><strong>3. Light workouts are important </strong></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">While strenuous activities should be avoided during your pregnancy, light workouts like walking help improve and maintain muscle strength, blood circulation, and the health of your veins. Exercise also helps you control your weight gain and keep it gradual.  </span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><strong>4. Sit comfortably </strong></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Avoid sitting with your legs crossed, or putting your legs on your floor without any support as this restricts blood flow. Instead, try to keep your legs at an elevation that helps circulation in your legs and body. </span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><strong>5. Walking is beneficial, standing is not </strong></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Light exercise like walking is beneficial but simply standing on your feet is not. Avoid standing by either walking or taking a seat.  </span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><strong>6. Sleeping differently </strong></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Sleeping on the left side with a pillow wedged between your legs and behind your back is known to increase the blood flow back to your heart.</span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">While during your pregnancy spider veins may be troubling. Therefore, keep in mind that spider veins are usually a temporary side effect of the pregnancy and after 3-4 months of delivery, they go away. </span></p>


<h2><strong>What Causes Varicose Veins?</strong></h2>

<p>Your legs are more likely to show signs of varicose veins. They are usually blue or purple and may feel immediately under the surface.</p>

<p>There are no strong muscles in the veins. Therefore, they depend on one-way valves and leg muscles to transport blood back toward the heart. Blood might build up in the leg veins if the valves aren&#39;t functioning correctly. In addition, vascular walls swell as a result of the increasing pressure.</p>

<p>If you haven&#39;t previously had a baby, varicose veins pregnancy may produce a wide range of physical changes. Varicose veins may develop as a result of some of these alterations. ii</p>

<p>During pregnancy, the production of progesterone is enhanced. There are several benefits to using it, including a healthy pregnancy. Relaxed veins make blood flow more slowly. As the vein fills with blood, the pressure within the vein expands, causing the vein to grow in size.</p>

<p>Pregnant women increase blood volume because of the increased demand for oxygen. As a result of increased blood in the circulatory system, the valves and walls of the veins are put under additional stress.</p>

<p>Organs and blood arteries in the abdomen are being put under pressure by the uterus as the baby grows. Before returning to the heart, blood passes from the leg veins to the pelvis or lower abdomen veins. Because of the uterus&#39;s strain on these pelvic veins, blood cannot leave the body via the legs.</p>

<p>Pregnant women are more prone to develop varicose veins because of the hormonal changes during pregnancy. To cure, you can take laser treatment for varicose veins.</p>

<h2><strong>During pregnancy, are varicoceles serious?</strong></h2>

<p>In the short term, varicose veins may itch or sting, but they are generally harmless. You may be able to postpone varicose veins treatment, if necessary, until after giving birth.</p>

<p>People with varicose veins may also develop tiny blood clots at the skin&#39;s surface (superficial venous thrombosis). Clotted blood may cause a vein to become stiff and cord-like and the region surrounding it to become inflamed or even painful.</p>

<p>If you suspect you have one of these clots, contact your doctor or midwife immediately. You may use warm compresses to treat them during pregnancy, and they usually go away in a few days or weeks. However, a clot&#39;s surrounding region might get contaminated from time to time. As a result, you may get a fever or chills and need immediate antibiotic varicose veins surgery.</p>

<p>If you see any of the following:</p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p>Either limb swells up to a dangerous size.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Your leg becomes infected with sores.</p>
	</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p>The color of the skin around the veins changes.</p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p>DVT is a more severe disorder in which a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs, generally in the lower legs. It may be life-threatening if the clot becomes irritated or travels to the lungs and becomes infected.</p>

<p>When pregnant, DVT is more prevalent regardless of whether or not you have varicose veins: You have a 1 in 1,600 risk of getting it, whether you have it while pregnant or after giving birth. Pregnant women who are obese, have blood clotting issues, or are carrying multiples, and those on bed rest, are at greater risk.)</p>

<p>The symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) may range from no signs to sudden, excruciating pain in the ankle, leg, and thigh. In addition, a slight temperature may accompany the pain, which may be worse while your foot is flexed or when you&#39;re standing. Call your doctor right away if you experience any of these signs to get the best treatment for varicose veins.</p>

<p>Ultrasound imaging of the afflicted region may be required. In addition, you will require hospitalization and blood-thinning medication for everyone who has one of these blood clots.</p>

<p><strong>References</strong></p>

<p>National Clinical Guideline Centre (UK). (2013). Varicose Veins in the Legs: The Diagnosis and Management of Varicose Veins. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov</p>

<p> </p>


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