Will These Varicose Veins Go away After my Pregnancy?

Will These Varicose Veins Go away After my Pregnancy?

Many women develop varicose veins during pregnancy. Most often, varicose veins manifest as tiny vessels that appear on the legs, on the ankles and the face. They are also referred to as spider veins because they have a sunburst-like pattern with branches that radiate out from the center. Although the veins don’t cause discomfort, some people will be worried that they may affect their appearance. One of the questions women have is whether the veins go away after pregnancy. The answer to this depends on the kind of veins and the extent to which one has been affected.

• Do Varicose Veins Disappear After Pregnancy? 

Usually, women develop varicose veins during pregnancy because of changes in hormone levels, which leads to an increased flow of blood through the circulatory system. The uterus also puts pressure on the pelvic veins and once the baby is delivered, all these changes reverse. This means that after pregnancy the veins will disappear gradually and the woman will have nothing more to worry about.

However, sometimes extra damage is done to the veins (e.g when they get stretched out.), which means that after pregnancy the effect will not be reversed completely. This is why you may need/want to see a doctor if there are no signs of healing. Wait at least three months before you consider treatment. If in those three months the veins don’t go away, consider visiting your doctor for further examination.

• Do Varicose Veins Pose a Risk in Pregnancy?

About 28% of women develop varicose veins when they get pregnant. A common side effect to expect is an unsightly appearance caused by the veins, and sometimes you may experience swelling and itching. The veins can also spread to the genitals, which creates pain when one sits or uses the restroom. Some women are even placed on bed rest to reduce the effects of the veins. The most important thing to watch out for is a painful complication, which is caused by clotting of the veins. All these issues can be addressed by your doctor if pain persists.

• How to Minimize Varicose Veins

There are few ideas you might want to implement that will help you to minimize varicose veins and prevent pain. Here are some suggestions that work well:

• Exercise regularly. It does not have to be intensive exercises, but a walk around your block could help to improve flow of blood.
• Whenever possible, elevate your feet and legs. You can use a stool or a box to place your legs on while sitting.
• You should also avoid sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time. Take short breaks and move around.
• Avoid crossing your legs or ankles while sitting as this might prevent seamless flow of blood and cause clotting along the veins.

Pregnant women who get varicose veins should not be worried as this is something normal that happens for many women during pregnancy. The problem usually disappears after pregnancy as the veins return to their normal form. However, in case the varicose veins don’t disappear after three months, you should visit your doctor for assistance to get rid of them if they bother you.

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