Varicose Veins in Pregnancy

Updated on February 26, 2010
V.S. asks from Lima, OH
5 answers

I started to develop a large varicose vein that runs in my left leg from the calf to my groin area in the 3rd trimester of my first daughter 2 years ago. I am now 27 weeks pregnant and the varicose vein has started to get worse. It's bulged out more and now I have developed several spider veins. I know that this is very common in pregnancies. I was told to wear compression stockings, but they always rip and I have worn them for a few months with no help. I was also told to try a pregnancy belt by my gyno and it didn't work either. I developed a varicose vein in my vaginal area around 20 weeks or so. This one is very painful! I can't sit for a long period of time nor can I walk for a long period of time. I try to get up and walk around as much as possible, but when you have a desk job it's hard to do. I've noticed lately that if I lay on my side for a little bit (on the floor), it is very difficult for me to get up and I am in such pain. Does anybody know if this is all normal? I keep getting told it is, but this is getting ridiculous. My doctor said if it gets too bad she'll reduce my hours, but if it's not going to help me then there is no point.

Can somebody tell me if you have experienced this in pregnancy? Please help!

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K.B.

answers from Cincinnati on

I have not experienced the vaginal area one. I have varicose veins on my legs, nothing major. My mom had major issue with them. She got varicose veins with each pregnancy, each pregnancy made them worse. She had 4 kids. She "dealt" with them until she was about 50 and then had them removed due to the pain they were causing.
Compression stockings work if you wear them before the varicose veins start. Once they are there, there is not a lot you can do. It is suppose to help with fluid back flowing in the veins in the feet due to the valves being broken in those veins.

M.H.

answers from Des Moines on

During your pregnancy, there is not much you can do for them other than wear those compression hose and elevate your legs. Varicose veins are not normal in pregnancy, but they are common (don't you just love that statement? I heard it all through my twin pregancy. lol)

I work for vascular surgeons and we see patients often that develop varicose veins during pregnancy. Maybe if you got a prescription pair of compression hose, they wouldn't tear so easily? The only suggestion I have for you at this point is elevate as much as possible, and the hose. But, do see a vascular surgeon after the pregnancy if they are still bothering you- there are are options out there to treat the varicose veins.

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B.B.

answers from Charleston on

I just had my daughter(baby #2) on 2/20. This sounds like how my pregnancy was exactly. With my 3 yr old son, other than vomiting all the time, I had no problems. This pregnancy , though was crampy from day one, I too developed big, bruise-like spider veins, and if I laid on my side for more than 2 hours at night, I would wake up with a terrible sharp, stabbing pain, it seemed, just to the side of my uterus that I was laying on. Then, as I got farther along, my daughter would press her head into my pelvis, hitting nerves that would send pain shooting down my groin and sciatic nerve. It was a terribly painful pregnancy, there were days that I would have to stop and drop on all fours because it hurt so much. I felt like I was carrying a bowling ball in my bladder. God, I'm so glad I'm not pregnant anymore. While I don't know if this is common, I'd say that it's just part of why late pregnancy is uncomfortable for some women, but I would just mention it to my OB/GYN at the next visit. Be prepared though, not only did mine offer nothing(suggestions included) for how to help with this, they didn't seem the least bit suprised! So, I'm guessing by that that it happens more than I thought. Hang in there, it'll be over soon!

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C.T.

answers from Dallas on

I, too, developed a varicose vein with a pregnancy. If you lie on your side and keep the leg up as much as possible, it will help. I wanted to say that getting rid of the vein after you deliver is quite easy. I saw a vascular surgeon and he injected the vein (no, it really didn't hurt that much) on 2 different occasions and it is gone. I did have to wear a compression stocking for several weeks, but it was well worth it to be rid of the vein. My insurance did not cover it because they said it was cosmetic(yeah right!), but the cost wasn't too high and I would do it again. Good luck!

A.F.

answers from Chicago on

I know this might sound like a lot...but I developed one in my vag area and one in my calf with kiddo #1 at 27 weeks, popped out at 9 week (yeah 9 weeks) with kiddo #2 -- I plan to have 5. For pregnancy #2, I kept as active as possible. I was still running at 30 weeks and bought the Gabrialla support belt for my periods of active exercise as it keeps the weight of the baby off your lower half so blood doesn't pool. I also wore Gabrialla Graduated Firm Compression Maternity Pantyhose (I bought them in both compressions; check sizing because I needed tall and I am NOT that tall) that I bought on Amazon religiously. They did not tear easily and I still have a few pairs in good shape and they were reasonably priced by comparison to others. Additionally, I did use the Prenatal Cradle V2 Supporter for my groin vein as it was bothersome. I also would do witch hazel compresses that decrease swelling in varicose veins. It is very tingly and comforting. Try to keep moving and don't sit in one place too long. I am not overweight, so I know it isn't always a weight issue either...try to stay strong. Some people get stretch marks and some are blessed with weak pooling veins- Lucky us eh!? It is all worth it in the end. BTW- I asked my doc about having it removed...they suggested not until I am done having kids if it starts to give me a problem all the time (but really it does only when prego). Good luck!

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