Varicose veins are one of the many troublesome symptoms of pregnancy. These unsightly veins commonly appear during pregnancy because pressure from the expanding uterus, an extra volume of blood and higher blood pressure cause veins to swell and bulge. Varicose veins primarily affect the legs, in part due to the effects of gravity. While they rarely pose a major threat to a woman's health, varicose veins can cause problems of variable degrees.
Aching
One of the main symptoms of varicose veins is aching legs. When veins expand and blood pools, it can cause the legs to feel heavy and achy. This feeling typically increases during the day, as a woman spends more time on her feet and gravity's pull draws blood into her legs.
BabyCenter recommends the following techniques for helping alleviate the swelling and pain associated with varicose veins. First, a woman should try to keep her legs elevated whenever possible. Second, she should keep moving; sitting or standing for long periods of time exacerbates varicose veins. Third, women are encouraged to not cross their legs, as this increases the pressure on the veins. Finally, women can wear compression pantyhose, which encourage blood to circulate back to the heart and away from the feet.
Itching
Many women describe varicose veins not only as achy, but also as itchy. As the veins expand and the skin around them stretches a bit, women can experience an itching sensation. Following the suggestions above to help mitigate the pain of varicose veins should also help relieve the itching feeling. Another recommendation, offered by the American Pregnancy Association, is to consume enough vitamin C. Vitamin C, which aids health in many other ways as well, helps keep veins elastic and therefore reduces the chance of them bulging and swelling.
Blood Clots
One of the most dangerous complications of varicose veins is a blood clot. Blood clots occur rarely and most are superficial, affecting a vein located near the surface of the skin. Superficial blood clots can make the vein feel hard and warm and tend to cause a tender, red area around the vein. Superficial blood clots can usually be treated with a warm compress or medications. However, a doctor should be contacted as soon as possible if a blood clot is suspected, as the area around the clot could become infected, which would require treatment with antibiotics. Very rarely, a clot can form in a deeper vein, which can be much more serious, as the clot can break free from the vein and travel to the brain or lungs.
Ulcers
In rare cases, ulcers, or sores on the skin, can form near varicose veins, most commonly around the ankles. The extra pressure of blood in the veins can cause fluid to build up in the tissues surrounding varicose veins, leading to ulcers. Ulcers require prompt medication attention. Because an ulcer sometimes begins as a brown spot on the skin, a physician should be called if a brown spot develops or an open sore doesn't heal quickly.
