In many ways, pregnancy can be a time when a woman's body has many abnormal changes. When preparing to have a baby early, women may notice some unwanted side effects. These can include growth of thicker hair, luster and firmer nails, radiant skin, and an increase in breast size and fullness.
Unfortunately, not all pregnancy changes are desirable and enjoyable. You'll experience significant weight gain, mood swings, and frequent urination. This is because during pregnancy, there are profound changes in the female body due to the restructuring of the hormonal background. The veins also undergo significant changes - their tone decreases, the permeability of the walls increases, and blood flow slows down. Varicose veins are one of the diseases that can first develop in pregnancy or begin to progress actively.
WHAT IS THE SAME DISEASE
Varicose veins of the lower extremities are persistent and irreversible varicose veins due to the overall changes of their walls, as well as the impairment of their valve function due to genetic defects. The main factor that leads to the appearance of varicose veins is genetic weakness of the vascular wall. The secondary factor leading to varicose veins is prolonged stress in the lower extremities.
Statistics show that 40-65% of expectant mothers experience varicose veins at least once in their lifetime. Most obese women experience varicose veins during pregnancy.
Although varicose veins are most common in the legs, they can occur elsewhere. Especially late in pregnancy, the winding veins may appear on the buttocks, vagina, or vulva. This happens when the lower abdomen and uterus put increased pressure on the veins in these areas.
CAUSE OF VARIABILITY VARIABILITY
As this deadline increases during pregnancy, a number of changes occur that set the stage for varicose veins.
- First, as an adult, the uterus puts pressure on the lower aorta - the largest vein in the human body. Too much pressure causes a slowdown in blood flow, putting more strain on the veins in the legs, where more blood is stored. This leads to varicose veins during pregnancy in the legs.
- Second, during pregnancy, the female body produces more blood to support the growing fetus, the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the placenta and fetus is not interrupted. Due to the increased load, the veins have to work harder to pump carbonated blood back to the heart from the extremities and pelvis. This can lead to depletion of the valves of the veins and accumulation of blood in the legs, ankles, feet and other areas.
- Third, an increase in female sex hormone levels during pregnancy reduces the tonicity of smooth muscles in the walls of blood vessels (especially veins). It can also contribute to varicose veins in pregnant women.
VARIETY RISK FACTORS IN THE SECOND PERIOD
Varicose veins are considered to be an inherited disease. If a mother or grandmother has varicose veins during pregnancy, a woman's risk of this disease increases significantly.
The rate of varicose veins increases with age, weight gain and each subsequent pregnancy. If a woman is pregnant with twins or triplets, the risk of varicose leg veins in a pregnant woman doubles.
Lifestyle and work habits (standing or sitting motionless for long hours) can also cause varicose veins.
Symptoms of varicose veins in pregnant women
Some women have slightly swollen, twisted, and colored veins in their legs - it's just a cosmetic problem. In others, varicose veins during pregnancy cause unpleasant symptoms - swelling, pain, or severe discomfort in the legs. In all women with varicose veins, this is the main sign of varicose veins. If left untreated, damage to the veins can lead to serious complications, including blood clots, phlebitis, and nutritional ulcers. In addition, the risk of fatal complications - PE (pulmonary embolism) - increases.
During pregnancy you need to watch for signs of varicose veins:
- swelling in the legs and ankles, feet;
- spasm or soreness in the thigh or lower leg;
- fatigue, heaviness in the legs;
- restless, especially at night, wants to constantly move legs;
- itching, dry or pale skin on the feet, burning sensation;
- "star" complex, protruding, larger veins;
- ulcers in your legs or ankles that take a long time to heal or don't heal;
- leg pain goes away when a woman walks or lifts her leg.
DOES THE CONDITIONS HAVE MANY SECURITY WHEN THEIR IS?
Unfortunately, varicose veins often get worse as a pregnancy progresses. As the hemispherical veins expand, flex, swell and become more pronounced, women increasingly notice increased pain and other symptoms (swelling, skin changes, worse).
CONFIDENTIALITY: WHAT TO DO
If a woman experiences any of the symptoms of varicose veins, it is imperative to see a vein doctor. After conducting a detailed physical examination, carefully assessing the condition of the feet, ankles, legs and thighs, the doctor will confirm the presence of varicose veins and rule out possible complications (use of ultrasound and measurement of vascular Doppler). As for varicose veins in the vulva, the obstetrician and gynecologist will notice it during regular exams.
TREATMENT IN PREGNANT WOMEN
Usually, surgery and minimally invasive procedures are not indicated for varicose veins during pregnancy. This is associated with a high risk of complications and recurrence. In addition, the prescription of the drug is very limited - serum tonic, anti-inflammatory, anti-platelet aggregation drug.
There are a number of guidelines that help in the safe and relatively effective treatment of varicose veins in expectant mothers.
- Physical activity dosage. Swimming, walking or other exercises for pregnant women with varicose veins, which are related to the muscles in the legs, help increase blood circulation in the veins of the extremities. The vein doctor along with the obstetrician and gynecologist will choose a separate exercise group for each specific stage and severity of the condition of the pregnant woman.
- Well-fitting shoes. Stilettos and flat soles completely interfere with the movement of the muscles in the leg, impairing venous blood circulation. You need to choose stable, comfortable shoes with small heels (3-4 cm).
- Compression jacket. To support the veins during pregnancy, it is necessary to wear compression clothing. The vein doctor will individually choose the compression level and type of product - knee-high socks, socks or tights. You need to wear them in the morning, not get out of bed and take them off at night when women go to bed.
HOW TO BELIEVE IN A SECRETS
There are a few tips for preventing varicose veins in pregnant women, following these tips will help ease the course of the disease and alleviate the discomfort:
- Do not cross your legs. Sitting with one leg over the other blocks the flow of blood through the veins and can increase pressure.
- Change position. If you have to sit or stand all day at work, change your posture often. This prevents blood from accumulating in the legs.
- Sleep on your left side. As your abdomen grows, it becomes difficult to lie on your back. For varicose veins, try sleeping on your left side, not yours. This prevents pressure from the uterus on the veins in the abdominal cavity, and helps blood flow from the lower extremities at night.
- Raise your leg. Raise your legs more often throughout the day. Ideally, they should be above the heart's level so that gravity helps the blood to circulate more actively. While in bed, you can rest your feet on a pillow to help blood circulation while you sleep.
- Track salt intake. When you eat more salt, more fluid flows into your blood vessels, which can increase the pressure in your veins. Excess fluid penetrates the tissues and leads to edema. Drink plenty of water to help your body maintain the proper fluid balance.
- Track your weight. Women's body changes during pregnancy, pregnant mothers gain weight. As the higher the body weight, the greater the pressure of the weight on the veins of the lower extremities. Your doctor will evaluate the gain and clarify weight indicators.
POST-BIRTH CERTIFICATION
The most important concern of expectant mothers is whether varicose veins after pregnancy go away? Varicose veins usually go away 3 months after the baby is born. If the changes do not go away after 3 months, you need to contact your vein doctor.
The symptoms of varicose veins that first appear in the baby usually go away on their own with little or no treatment. However, the worse the progression, the more severe the symptoms persist after giving birth and require treatment. Varicose veins in the vagina or vulva almost always resolve spontaneously after childbirth.
WHAT IS A COMPLAINT OF CHARGE STAGE
Varicose veins can lead to serious complications. Increased risk of developing dangerous conditions: blood clots and venous ulcers.
There are two main types of blood clots. Superficial venous thrombosis is formed in hemispherical veins. They do not normally travel to the lungs. Dangerous deep vein thrombosis. The blood clots that form in them can burst and enter the pulmonary blood vessels. It is important to see a doctor right away if:
- The veins
- become stiff, like a string;
- hot, painful, or swollen surrounding tissue;
- there are noticeable changes in venous color;
- appears ulcers on the skin;
- appears painful, severe swelling on one leg.
In these cases, surgeons will define treatment strategies, including minimally invasive surgical techniques, to eliminate the infection, the risk of life-threatening complications.