Pregnancy can cause all kinds of changes in the body, not all of which are welcome. One particularly un-glamorous — though common — side effect of pregnancy is the spidery blue veins that suddenly appear on your legs.
Triggered by hormonal changes and decreased blood circulation caused by carrying extra weight, these dark and highly visible veins are a telltale sign of a condition called varicose veins.
The good news? Varicose veins that appear during pregnancy usually aren’t permanent. Many women report that their varicose veins disappeared a few months after giving birth, as their bodies and hormone levels return to normal.
The bad news? If left untreated, varicose veins have a tendency to return during each subsequent pregnancy, and they become more noticeable and uncomfortable each time. Varicose veins don’t just change the appearance of your legs, but they can also contribute to a feeling of aching or tired legs, which becomes yet another discomfort to endure while pregnant.
When to seek treatment
If you’ve decided on permanent varicose vein removal, we recommend waiting until after you give birth to book your treatment. While varicose veins are irritating, they usually aren’t dangerous – unless they’re accompanied by other symptoms including swelling, deep muscle ache or fever, which could indicate a more serious vein condition like a blood clot.
Canada Vein Clinics provide state of the art treatments that remove varicose veins and stop them from coming back. We have locations in major Canadian cities including Toronto, Ottawa, Halifax, Richmond Hill, Orleans, Moncton, Vaughan, Kawartha Lakes, Kanata, and Dartmouth. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to learn more about your treatment options.
Temporary relief
In the short term, you can try these techniques during your pregnancy to improve circulation and offer some temporary relief before deciding if you need permanent treatment:
– Elevate your legs while sitting or sleeping by putting a cushion under your feet or propping them up on a chair.
– Wear compression stockings or tights.
– Get your blood pumping – a low-impact activity like swimming or walking will improve blood flow and relieve some of the pressure in your legs.
