Why do 20% of pregnant women develop leg vein problems?
- To meet your baby’s demands, your body nearly doubles its amount of blood during pregnancy. This increases the pressure on your veins.
- Hormones that increase elasticity during pregnancy cause the walls of your veins to stretch and weaken, an effect that can be permanent.
- Your baby’s weight adds stress to your leg muscles and veins.
- Heredity puts some mothers at greater risk.
What are the early signs?
- Swollen, aching feet and legs
- Increased fluid retention
What causes vein problems?
Your veins are equipped with tiny valves that open and close with each heartbeat. This action pushes the blood flow upward in a “stair-step” process on its return to the heart. At the same time, the valve action prevents the blood from flowing backward to the lower legs. Vein problems begin when the tiny valves fail to close properly, allowing back-flow and pooling of blood in the leg veins.
What if I ignore the problem?
Without treatment 50% of women with vein problems during pregnancy will suffer from varicose veins for the rest of their lives.Untreated varicose veins can develop into more serious conditions, such as chronic swelling, aching, phlebitis (inflammation), or skin ulceration. For more information on conditons that can result from untreated veins, click here.
Why do compression stockings help?
Graduated compression stockings are designed to apply maximum pressure at the ankles with gradually reducing degrees of compression up the length of the leg.
This compression reduces the pooling of blood in the leg veins by forcing the blood from the tiny surface veins back into the deep vein system of the legs so it can be carried back to the heart.
This is the best thing you can do to prevent vein problems from developing or worsening.
Bayside Vein & Laser Center offers free fittings for compression stockings.
Call 360-676-1225 for a free fitting appointment. No obligation. For your convenience, you may purchase stockings in our office at competitive pricing, or you may buy them from a health supply retailer.
Click here for a printable coupon for 10% off Maternity Compression Stockings.
What can be done about unsightly veins following pregnancy?
They can be removed without hospitalization!
Bayside Vein & Laser Center offers the latest technology in patient-friendly treatment options.