If your leg veins seem to have suddenly become more noticeable during pregnancy, you're not imagining it. Extra blood volume, pregnancy hormones, and pressure from your growing uterus can cause veins to swell and bulge, leading to varicose veins. Fortunately, they're common, usually harmless, and there are ways to help manage them.
Here's everything you need to know about dealing with varicose veins during pregnancy.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are large, swollen blood vessels found predominantly in the legs, but they can show up almost anywhere in the lower half of your body, even your rectum or vulva. When they swell above the surface of the skin, they create distinctive purplish, bulging veins that can look alarming but are usually harmless.
In fact, hemorrhoids are simply varicose veins around your rectum — but at least you don't have to look at those.
"I've got horrible varicose veins on my lady parts and all down my legs," says What to Expect Community member KatieJune2.
They affect up to 40% of pregnant women, according to some research. Varicose veins don't always hurt, but they can cause soreness or aching, throbbing pain, tenderness, swelling, and itching.
They're different from spider veins or visible veins, which are usually smaller and don't bulge.
Get more expert advice, keep track of your symptoms, and connect with other pregnant moms who have similar concerns in our free What to Expect app.
When do varicose veins start to appear during pregnancy?
Varicose veins can develop at any point during pregnancy, but they tend to get larger and more pronounced as your pregnancy progresses. After birth, they usually recede, and you're likely to look more like your pre-pregnant self again.
What causes varicose veins during pregnancy?
The extra blood your body produces during pregnancy is essential to support both you and your growing baby. It does, however, put extra pressure on your blood vessels — especially the veins in your legs, which have to work against gravity to push all that extra blood back up to your heart.
Add weight gain, pressure from your growing uterus on your pelvic blood vessels, and the vessel-relaxing effects of increased progesterone, and you have a recipe for varicose veins.
What can I do about varicose veins when I'm pregnant?
There are several strategies that may help minimize varicose veins that make an appearance while you're expecting, or at least keep symptoms under control:
- Keep your blood flowing. Get off your feet whenever you can, and keep your legs elevated when sitting. When standing, put one foot on a low stool and alternate legs. Flex your ankles every so often, and break the habit of sitting with your legs crossed. "I try not to sit down or stand up for too long — a balance of both seems to help," says Community member TwinMama31.
- Get moving. Exercise is key for healthy circulation, so take a walk or two each day, or do another form of low-impact exercise. Research suggests exercising in water may be especially helpful, so if you can get to the local pool, go for it!
- Keep it comfy. Wear clothes — including underwear — that aren't too tight, especially around the tops of your legs. Avoid tight belts, socks with tight elastic tops, and tight-fitting shoes or stiletto heels (as if you could balance in them anyway).
- Try compression stockings. One kind of tight that can feel helpful: support hose, which can counteract the downward pressure of your belly and give the veins in your legs a little extra support. While research doesn't show they treat varicose veins, compression socks may provide temporary symptom relief. Okay, they're not exactly sexy — but putting them on before you get out of bed in the morning helps prevent the blood from pooling. "Mine have gotten worse each pregnancy," says Community mom TaSaPeanut. "I have worn compression socks every day all day since 20 weeks."
- Gain pregnancy weight steadily. Follow your practitioner's recommendations for weight gain during pregnancy. Gaining more than recommended can place additional strain on your circulatory system.
- Sleep on your left side. This helps reduce pressure on your major blood vessels and supports healthy circulation.
- Don't strain. Heavy lifting or straining on the toilet — if you're dealing with constipation — can make veins more visible.
- Get your daily dose of vitamins. A balanced pregnancy diet can help keep your veins healthy. Make sure you're eating plenty of foods rich in vitamin C, which your body uses to produce collagen and elastin, connective tissues that repair and maintain blood vessels.
Can I prevent varicose veins during pregnancy?
Maybe, but don't count on it. Some people believe that wearing compression socks, exercising, and elevating your feet can all prevent varicose veins, but they're not surefire ways to avoid this particular pregnancy symptom. The above-mentioned tips and remedies are definitely worth a try, though, and may help reduce symptoms.
When can I expect my varicose veins to go away?
The good news is that if you didn't have them before pregnancy, your varicose veins will probably shrink or disappear within a few months after you give birth.
The not-so-good news? If you have another baby, there's no way to guarantee they won't return. The same veins often reappear in future pregnancies. And like many other pregnancy symptoms — including stretch marks — varicose veins tend to be hereditary. So if your mother had them during pregnancy, you're more likely to have them too.
"With my third I started getting some and then with each pregnancy after the severity was worse," says Community mom Dah482ab31. "But each time they went away shortly after I gave birth."
When should I call the doctor about varicose veins during pregnancy?
Let your health care practitioner know as soon as you notice varicose veins. Because they're associated with an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or blood clots, your practitioner should be aware of the condition and can let you know if any additional evaluation is needed.
Last thought: If your varicose veins don't go away after your baby arrives, you can consider medical or surgical treatment once you're no longer pregnant.
"I'm praying it goes away postpartum but will also be looking into treatment if it doesn't," says Community member Mamaren-est2021.
Until then, try to be patient and remember that there's a good chance they'll become less noticeable or disappear entirely after you give birth.
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