Treating Spider Veins During Pregnancy

All About Spider Veins During Pregnancy

Spider veins are somewhat common during pregnancy. They occur because of the increased volume of blood flow during pregnancy and the pressure of the growing uterus can damage the veins. However, your circulation is not compromised and they are not harmful. Spider veins, or spider nevi as they are sometimes called, look like tiny reddish veins you can see under the skin, branching out like a spider's web. They can cover a small patch of skin or a larger piece of skin. Common places for spider veins to appear are thighs, ankles, feet, cheeks, neck, upper chest and arms.

The appearance of spider veins during pregnancy is more common among Caucasian women. They are not usually medically treated and disappear within a few months after delivery. However, in cases when they do not completely fade away, you can undergo laser treatment to get rid of them. Treating spider veins is usually only done for cosmetic appearance, as they do not come with other symptoms or medical conditions.

Suggestions for preventing any or more spider veins from appearing include making sure you are getting adequate amounts of vitamin C and not crossing your legs. Another effective way to treat existing or preventing spider veins during pregnancy is to wear graduated maternity support stockings.

All About Varicose and Vulval Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

Varicose veins are big, enlarged, swollen veins. They are puffy and raised from the skin. They can be dark purple or blue. They are usually on the legs, most commonly they are on the backs of the calves or the inner thigh. Many women get hemorrhoids around the anus or vagina during pregnancy, which are actually varicose veins in that area as well. The veins contain one-way flaps, called valves. The job of the valves is to keep the blood flowing in the direction it's supposed to go, back to the heart. The main cause of varicose and spider veins is that the valve(s) isn't working properly and some blood stays pooled in a vein. Because of the increased blood volume, the pressure on the veins of the pelvis during pregnancy and the pregnancy hormones in the body, varicose veins can result.

There is a condition known as vulval varicose veins or vulval varicosities during pregnancy. This is when veins in the pelvis dilate further and cause varicose veins to appear in the vagina, then the vulva, then into the legs. After delivery, the veins shrink back to normal as the hormone levels decrease. However, it is uncommon, but the veins that were affected could loose their valves and continue to reflux. If left untreated, there will be the appearance of varicose veins in the legs post pregnancy.

If a woman experienced varicose or spider veins once during pregnancy, there are usually more in each subsequent pregnancy. However, even if a woman is not done growing her family and wants to remove the varicose or spider veins after a pregnancy, there is no reason not to. There are risks with subsequent pregnancies worsening varicose veins that were preexisting before getting pregnant.

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