Varicose veins during pregnancy

Venous insufficiency is the cause of the appearance of varicose veins and is clearly impaired by pregnancy. Not only the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy but also the mechanical effect of obstruction to drainage worsen the symptoms and signs of venous insufficiency. To minimize the onset of discomfort and try to prevent the progression of the disease it is advisable to focus on compressive therapy and hygienic-dietary measures. There are numerous options and treatments for varicose veins that adapt to all types of situations. The main objective is to improve lymphatic and venous drainage by exerting a decreasing compression from the ankles towards the thigh.

Myths and truths about treatments for venous insufficiency in pregnancy

It is true that the application of refreshing gels helps to support the heaviness of the legs. On the other hand, there is a false belief that socks are contraindicated in situations of venous pathology. This is true when we talk about conventional socks that have a rubber at a more proximal level (knee), since, in these cases, the sock exerts a compression that hinders the flow. However, the whole family of therapeutic stockings or socks with decreasing compression favor drainage because the point of maximum pressure is located at the ankle (malleolar level) and this decreases.

A practical way of dealing with a pregnancy when suffering from varicose veins consists of:

Compressive therapy.

For example by means of:

  • Class I and class II compression socks: to be worn under pants in summer when a high stocking can be distressing.
  • Elastic compression stocking class I or class II with thigh support through a silicone band that allows a good adherence and is independent of the size of the abdomen.
  • Elastic pantyhose for pregnant women with special support that adapts to the abdominal level. In cases where it is more comfortable to wear a pantyhose and there is a lot of abdominal heaviness, it can be used.
  • Pantyhose with perineal and inguinal reinforcement. This type of stockings are very useful in cases of women with varicose veins that develop in the perivulvar or inguinal area and have discomfort in the last months of gestation, due to the feeling of congestion and pain of peri genital varicose veins.
Read Now 👉  Causes and Treatment of Aortic Aneurysm

Hygienic-dietary measures:

  • Manual lymphatic drainage or pressotherapy with mechanical systems.
  • Moderate exercise, the most balanced activity being walking on flat ground for 20-30 minutes. Intense physical exercise is not particularly recommended.
  • Abundant hydration, both hydric (intake of 2 liters of water per day) and at the level of the extremities, avoiding skin dryness.

Complementary Treatments:

Natural therapies and complementary medicine treatments such as homeopathy are increasingly accepted. The fact that there is no contraindication or harmful effect on the fetus favors the application of homeopathic treatments that seek to minimize the discomfort of heaviness, congestion and pain that arise during pregnancy.

As far as the physical aspect is concerned, the only way to try to conceal the existence of varicose veins or varicose veins during pregnancy is by trying to reduce their congestion: through compressive therapy, or by making them up, which will be indicated by the specialist in Angiology and Vascular Surgery in each case. Also, in the cosmetic market, several products that integrate in their composition protective and moisturizing factors that make up the skin and exert a shielding effect can be useful.

Treatments after childbirth: how to eliminate the heaviness in the legs

After childbirth, it is recommended to allow a period of rest to promote a return to normality before undergoing sclerotherapy or percutaneous laser treatment. This period is variable but, in general, it is necessary to wait two to three months before starting any therapy, since in most cases the clinical manifestations undergo a progressive involution or improvement.