Expecting a baby is, without a doubt, a wonderful moment in the life of any representative of the fair sex.But it is often associated with various anxieties and complications.One of them is varicose veins during pregnancy.The growth of the fetus puts a lot of pressure on the woman's legs, sometimes the blood vessels cannot withstand it and this unpleasant disease occurs.It not only spoils the aesthetic appearance, but can also be quite dangerous for health and even life.More about this in the article.
Main causes of pathology.
Varicose veins in pregnant women are a fairly common occurrence;one in three women experiences it.
There are several reasons for the appearance of varicose veins during pregnancy:
- The composition of the blood changes;Fibrinogen increases during pregnancy.It is "responsible" for the viscosity of blood.This means that the blood becomes thicker, it is more difficult to move through the vessels, and normal blood flow is disturbed.Therefore, the veins cannot support it and expand.Additionally, as fibrinogen increases, the likelihood of blood clots increases.
- An increase in progesterone in the blood is an unfavorable factor for blood vessels.The fact is that this hormone reduces the tone of the uterus, protecting the body from miscarriages and premature births.And at the same time vascular tone decreases.
- Blood volume almost doubles during pregnancy;This increase leads to the fact that the vessels cannot cope with the unusual volume of blood and are deformed.
- As mentioned above, fetal growth creates increased pressure on the blood vessels.
In addition, a woman may have indirect unfavorable factors for the development of varicose veins during pregnancy:
- hereditary factor;
- rapid weight gain;
- insufficient presence of fiber and vitamins in the pregnant woman's diet;
- low mobility.
If the mother suffered from varicose veins in the legs during pregnancy, most likely her daughter will have this problem.
Symptoms of varicose veins during pregnancy.
At the beginning of the disease, a woman may not feel any symptoms.Then spider veins and spider veins appear.But few people pay attention to them.But when swelling of the legs appears at night, as well as night cramps, many become cautious.
The veins then become visible to the naked eye;They “extend” to the surface of the skin on the legs.This not only spoils the appearance, but also causes concern.After all, it could be even worse!In fact, blood clots can form in the dilated veins, which already threatens the life of the woman and the fetus.
It is impossible to completely cure varicose veins during pregnancy;You can get rid of pathology only after childbirth.
Additionally, if you have varicose veins in your legs during pregnancy, you may be worried about:
- heaviness in the legs;
- difficulty moving (sometimes the legs swell so much that it is difficult to walk);
- persistent pain in the legs.
Of course, many pregnant women dream of getting rid of these symptoms.To do this, you should contact a phlebologist or surgeon, he will tell you what to do.
The most common types
Varicose veins are not only common in the legs during pregnancy.
There are also varicose veins:
- vulva;
- lips;
- rectum (better known as hemorrhoids).
The most common varicose veins among pregnant women are those of the lower extremities and hemorrhoids.The latter brings a lot of problems to a woman: pain when defecating and blood in the stool.If the treatment of varicose veins during pregnancy is not started on time, major problems may arise, such as: venous bleeding.To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to consult a doctor in time.He will tell you how to treat varicose veins during pregnancy.
Effective treatment
Currently, there are many remedies for varicose veins in pregnant women.But prescribing them to yourself is very dangerous.Because many of the medications have serious contraindications.The doctor will prescribe an appropriate treatment that does not harm either the mother or the baby.
Treatment of varicose veins in pregnant women usually consists of medications administered orally and ointments for external use.But it is worth paying attention: some of them cannot be used in the first trimester.
You can also use traditional medicine recipes to treat varicose veins in pregnant women.But first you should consult with your doctor, because many of these recipes can be harmful to the baby's life.
Popular methods of fighting
Here are some of the useful recipes of traditional medicine for pregnant women:
- Apple cider vinegar.It can be rubbed on the areas of the legs affected by varicose veins or taken orally, but only in a special dosage.You should add no more than a teaspoon of vinegar to a glass of water and drink it once a day.A month after such treatment, positive changes will appear.
- Horse chestnut.This plant always takes first place among remedies for the treatment of varicose veins.Because it perfectly strengthens the vascular wall, relieves swelling, relieves cramps and heaviness in the legs.In consultation with your doctor, you can rub horse chestnut tincture into your veins and drink it internally.You need to take the tincture twice a day, a certain number of drops prescribed by your doctor.After ten days you need to take a break.Then the reception can be repeated.
- Green tomatoes.You should cut the tomato in half lengthwise and then apply it to the sore areas of your legs.You should hold it until a burning sensation appears.Some people tie them to their feet overnight and wash them with cold water in the morning.
- kalanchoe tinctureYou can rub your feet;You must do it every day for three months.
- Dad.It is necessary to grate several raw potatoes on a coarse grater, apply the paste to a cloth and make a compress.Sell it well and remove it after 4 hours.
- Sagebrush.Grind wormwood flowers until smooth, dilute with milk and apply to the feet.Sells well, remove the compress after 2 hours.
therapeutic gymnastics
Therapeutic gymnastics also helps with varicose veins.There are several exercises for pregnant women that can reduce the appearance of this disease.
Here are some of them:
- Sit on a chair, perform circular foot movements with each leg in turn.Repeat 10 times.
- Lying on your back, carefully raise your legs and perform leg movements that imitate riding a bicycle.
- While standing, stand on your toes and turn on your heels.Repeat 10 times.
- Walk in place without lifting your socks off the floor for 2 minutes.
It is very useful to go down the stairs.It is also important to spend a lot of time walking in the fresh air: walking normalizes blood flow.After exercise, you should lie on your back with your legs elevated by 20 degrees.
Basic concepts of prevention.
A good prevention and treatment of varicose veins is the use of compression stockings.Your treating doctor will help you choose the type and compression.
There are several types of compression stockings:
- socks;
- socks;
- golf courses;
- elastic bandages.
Stockings against varicose veins for pregnant women are used for extensive varicose veins in large areas of the legs, from the feet to the hips.For small varicose veins in the area up to the knees, knee-high stockings are used.Elastic bandages that are placed on the feet and then bandaged on the thigh also successfully help.
The main treatment of varicose veins during pregnancy aims to prevent thrombosis and ensure good blood circulation.
Knitwear should be put on in the morning, preferably without getting out of bed.Before this, you can apply a medicated cream.Then you should lie down for another ten minutes to normalize blood circulation.You can wear it all day, taking it off before going to bed.
A woman who becomes pregnant should take the following measures to prevent varicose veins:
- Sleep at night on your left side.This has a beneficial effect on the fetus and the mother's blood vessels.
- Walk more outdoors.When moving, the vascular wall is strengthened, the blood is saturated with oxygen and the blood composition improves.Walking prevents blood clots.
- Normalize nutrition;The diet of a pregnant woman should contain all the necessary minerals and vitamins.You can also take vitamin complexes.
- Do special gymnastics for pregnant women.
- Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time.
- Make sure the pregnant woman's body weight does not increase too quickly.
- Wear comfortable shoes with low heels.
- To support the abdomen, it is necessary to use a special bandage.
- Do not smoke or drink alcohol under any circumstances.
- It is useful for pregnant women to visit the pool.
- A contrast shower strengthens the blood vessels very well.It should only be taken in the morning.Hot baths, baths and saunas are prohibited during pregnancy.
- Rest more with your legs elevated.
And it is imperative to follow the doctor's recommendations, otherwise the unpleasant consequences of varicose veins cannot be avoided.
Consequences of the development of the disease.
If varicose veins are left untreated, quite serious complications are possible.Some of them even threaten the lives of the mother and baby.
These are some complications of varicose veins during pregnancy:
- Thrombosis.Blood clots can form in dilated veins.Sometimes they break off and move through the vessels, which is very dangerous.
- Pulmonary embolism.This is a serious and life-threatening condition when a blood clot travels to the lungs, preventing blood circulation and oxygen delivery.There are no preliminary symptoms, which makes it difficult to diagnose the disease.
- Thrombophlebitis.A blood clot in a vessel causes inflammation.In this case, redness and swelling of the limb are seen.Symptoms include severe pain and itching in a certain area.
- Trophic ulcer.This complication occurs with varicose veins and diabetes mellitus.In this case, not only the skin becomes inflamed, but also the bones and tendons.The process takes a long time to develop and various infections are attributed to it.
Therefore, to avoid such terrible complications, it is necessary to detect the disease in time and start treatment.It is important to follow all the instructions of the treating doctor.