Varicose veins during pregnancy are dangerous for pregnant women?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Nguyen Thi Man - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital. The doctor has more than 10 years of experience in diagnosing, consulting and treating in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Varicose veins during pregnancy is a relatively common condition in many pregnant women. So is varicose veins during pregnancy dangerous for pregnant women, how to overcome varicose veins in pregnant women?

1. Why do varicose veins during pregnancy?

Varicose veins during pregnancy is a condition on the swollen, raised blood vessels, easily seen on the skin, with purple, blue zigzag lines, the most common location is the calf.
In addition to the appearance of bumps under the surface of the skin, varicose veins also cause symptoms such as leg pain, heaviness in the legs, discomfort when living, walking, and can also make pregnant women insomnia.
Varicose veins during pregnancy are caused by the following causes:
Hormonal changes: During pregnancy, the female sex hormone progesterone increases, which dilates and swells the veins. Changes in blood flow: Pregnancy increases blood flow in the mother's body to nourish the fetus, thus putting pressure on the veins in the legs. Fetal development causes compression: As the fetus grows larger and larger, it will compress the veins (especially the inferior vena cava), reduce blood circulation and cause varicose veins in pregnant women. Heredity or previous pregnancy with varicose veins: Having a family member with varicose veins (usually women), or having varicose veins in a previous pregnancy increases the risk of developing varicose veins. this condition and the disease usually gets worse. Other causes: Being pregnant with multiples, being overweight, obese, or often standing for a long time, walking a lot (due to work) will put pressure on the veins in the legs and cause varicose veins during pregnancy. See more: How to treat varicose veins in the right leg at 7 months pregnant?

2. Is varicose veins during pregnancy dangerous?

Varicose veins during pregnancy almost only cause inconvenience to pregnant women such as pain, itching and loss of aesthetics in a short time.
However, a small number of cases of varicose veins progress to superficial venous thrombosis. This disease is usually not dangerous, when large blood clots will strain the veins and cause symptoms such as swelling, heat, and redness of the surrounding skin, and can cause pain.
If varicose veins during pregnancy progress to superficial vein thrombosis, pregnant women should go to a medical facility for examination and treatment, because severe thrombosis can cause infection in the surrounding area. Here are some signs of infection caused by blood clots that pregnant women need to see right away:
Fever, accompanied by chills; Swollen, severe leg edema; Ulcers or changes in skin color. Superficial venous thrombosis due to varicose veins in pregnant women can be confused with deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities. Women who have a blood clotting disorder or are often bedridden for long periods of time are more likely to develop deep vein thrombosis. The disease may not cause any symptoms, but it can also cause pain and swelling in the thighs, shins, or ankles, especially when standing or bending or stretching.
Pregnant women need to recognize and distinguish the symptoms of varicose veins during pregnancy and deep vein thrombosis for timely examination and treatment, because deep vein thrombosis can rupture causing dangerous complications. .

3. Treatment and prevention of varicose veins during pregnancy

Depending on the state of varicose veins in pregnant women, the doctor will recommend appropriate methods, including:
Medical treatment; Surgical treatment, surgery; Other adjuvant treatment. For effective treatment, many methods are often combined. Treatment of varicose veins in pregnant women is mainly using venous stockings combined with adjuvant therapy. After giving birth, the disease will partially relieve the symptoms, pregnant women will still be treated normally by medical methods combined with adjuvant.
Surgical treatment with surgery is considered for the mother after giving birth because it can affect lactation.
To prevent and reduce the symptoms of varicose veins during pregnancy, pregnant women should note:
Limit or avoid sitting or standing for a long time. Instead, you should walk and exercise gently for good blood circulation; When sitting, you should put your feet up for good blood circulation; When lying down, pay attention to lying on the left side to reduce pressure on the veins; Do not gain much or too quickly, so pay attention to eating to control your weight well.
Varicose veins during pregnancy are not usually dangerous for pregnant women. However, pregnant women need to have regular and scheduled antenatal checkups to promptly detect abnormalities, if any, and then receive appropriate treatment.
To protect the health of mother and baby during pregnancy, labor and postpartum, you should choose package maternity services at reputable hospitals so that doctors can monitor the health of the fetus. Children and pregnant women are comprehensive, seamless, have proactive handling directions when the pregnancy is difficult, multiple pregnancies.
At Vinmec International General Hospital, there is a package maternity service as a solution to help pregnant women feel secure because of the companionship of the medical team throughout the pregnancy. When choosing Maternity Package, pregnant women can:
The pregnancy process is monitored by a team of highly qualified doctors Regular check-ups, early detection of abnormalities The package pregnancy helps to facilitate convenient for the birthing process Newborns are taken care of comprehensively.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.