Varicose veins are enlarged blood veins typically found in the legs. Pregnant women are more susceptible to developing varicose veins because of increased body weight, increased blood volume, water retention and added pressure on the veins of the legs and lower extremities. Gravity, prolonged standing or sitting, reduced physical activity and hormonal changes cause blood to pool to your lower extremities and the veins, causing them to stretch and expand. Exercise increases your blood circulation, prevents fluid from accumulating in the veins of the leg, strengthens your legs and veins and may help prevent varicose veins.
Cycling
Strenuous activity is not recommended during pregnancy; however, moderate exercise such as cycling can help reduce varicose veins during pregnancy. During pregnancy, the uterus adds pressure to the inferior vena cava and thus, blood does not circulate as much from the lower extremities. This added pressure results in the formation of varicose veins in the legs. By cycling for 30 minutes a day, you can increase blood circulation to the lower extremities, strengthen muscles and tendons that support veins in the legs and help prevent varicose veins.
Walking Lunge
Lunges are moderate exercise that can tone and strengthen the muscles and veins in the legs and may help prevent varicose veins. Lunges builds lean muscle, burn calories, improve blood circulation and prevent the accumulation of blood in the lower extremities. To perform a walking lunge, you will need two dumbbells. Begin by placing one leg behind the other in a wide stance and holding a dumbbell in each hand. Step forward with the front leg and at the same time, bend your knee of the leg behind you. Hold this lunge for five seconds and perform another walking lunge. Repeat as many times as desired.
Aerobic Activity
Walking for 30 minutes a day will increase blood circulation, prevent excessive weight gain, strengthen the muscles and veins in the legs and may prevent varicose veins during pregnancy. Swimming is another aerobic exercise than you can perform while pregnant that may help prevent or treat varicose veins. Any form of aerobic exercise that increases your circulation and strengthens legs muscles can be performed by pregnant women to prevent and treat varicose veins.
Consideration
While exercise is an excellent means of preventing varicose veins during pregnancy, a healthy lifestyle is also required to prevent varicose veins. Weight gain and prolonged standing or sitting are contributing factors. A healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and fiber can you manage your weight gain while pregnant. Fruits high in vitamin C will also help prevent varicose veins since vitamin C can help strengthen blood vessels. Avoid wearing tight clothes since they restrict blood floor and can contribute to varicose veins. Avoid prolonged standing or sitting and if you are sitting, keep your legs elevated.
