How to Eliminate Varicose Veins During Pregnancy
A pregnant woman’s body experiences many changes to accommodate, nourish, and protect the fetus until birth. Varicose veins during pregnancy are one of the changes that can appear.
Some of these transformations exert pressure on the mother’s body. In addition, they affect her general state of well-being.
These changes affect blood circulation. Among other things, this deficit can cause varicose veins to appear on your lower limbs.
Pregnancy brings a moment of true happiness. However, it also comes with small setbacks, like varicose veins. In this article we’ll provide tips on how to combat them.
Varicose veins during pregnancy are caused by an increase in blood volume. When they appear, it’s important to lower your blood pressure and prevent swelling.
Keep in mind that they’re most common in legs. However, some women also find them in the cervix or vulva. In fact, hemorrhoids are a type of varicose veins.
How to eliminate varicose veins during pregnancy
Some attention and good daily habits can help keep the situation under control. Additionally, they could limit the appearance of varicose veins and prevent them from worsening.
Next, we’ll tell you the most important ways to eliminate varicose veins:
1. Contact a specialist
The first thing you should do if you want to eliminate varicose veins is contact a phlebologist as soon as possible.
First, you’ll need a specific visit and a few non-invasive diagnostic tests. Then, the doctor will create a prevention plan based on your needs and problems.
2. Exercise regularly
Varicose veins during pregnancy usually appear in the third trimester. This is because the weight of the baby presses on the woman’s pelvis.
To promote circulation and minimize your risk of vein enlargement, you must do low-impact exercises throughout pregnancy.
For example, walking and swimming are very beneficial low-impact activities. Also, you can try Tai Chi and yoga with an instructor.
You can also do specific feet exercises by moving your ankles with push-ups and rotations. Repeating movements throughout the day will promote proper circulation.
We recommend that you contact your gynecologist to find out which exercises are right for you. In fact, this is especially important towards the end of pregnancy.
3. Follow a balanced diet
An essential diet isn’t only important to keep your weight under control, but also to protect your blood vessels. Therefore, if you want to prevent varicose veins during pregnancy, everything starts with proper nutrition.
4. Wear elastic compression socks
Elastic compression socks help blood flow. Additionally, they slow down the aggravation of varicose veins and reduce symptoms like pain, heaviness, burning and swelling.
Likewise, using these socks will be especially useful in the third trimester. Also, they’re useful even if you don’t have varicose veins. They prevent venous stasis edema induced by the different bodily changes.
For varicose veins, socks will prevent them from developing and control symptoms and complications.
“Varicose veins during pregnancy usually appear in the third trimester. This is because the weight of the baby presses on the woman’s pelvis.”
5. Lift your legs
If you have to sit in the same position for a long time, try to lift your feet onto a stool. This will help relieve pressure, at least partially.
If possible, before raising your legs, stand up and take a short walk. That way, you can promote good circulation.
6. Practice deep breathing exercises
Breathing exercises are an excellent way to prevent varicose veins during pregnancy. For this, you can sit in a comfortable position with your feet on your legs.
Next, inhale deeply until your lungs are full. Then, exhale little by little and feel the air release from your diaphragm. We recommend that you do this exercise for 10 minutes a day.
7. Maintain a healthy lifestyle
To prevent varicose veins, it’s essential that you maintain a healthy lifestyle. These are some healthy habits you should follow:
- Don’t wear shoes without heels. However, don’t wear shoes with excessively high heels either.
- Avoid baths and showers that are too hot. Also, avoid environments where the temperature is too high.
- It’s not good to expose your legs to the sun for a long period of time.
- Sleep with your feet slightly higher than the rest of your body.
- Avoid sitting too much or staying still. When you need to do so for work reasons, perform small exercises throughout the day. This will keep your blood flowing.
In short, these simple recommendations will allow you to eliminate varicose veins during pregnancy. Don’t hesitate to use these tips to prevent this issue.