Varicose veins during pregnancy

5 min

Common disorders of pregnancy include varicose veins, the large, blue, cord-shaped veins that appear on the surface of the skin. Here’s how to protect yourself and reduce the risk of complications.

Pregnant, finish with varicose veins:

When waiting for a baby, the legs are put to the test. They swell, become heavy, are painful, and sometimes abnormally dilated veins appear under the skin: they are varicose veins. They are the expression of a chronic disease called venous insufficiency, which is characterized by a bad return of blood to the heart. The veins have “valves” to prevent the blood from descending to the legs.

If they fail, blood circulation slows down and blood stagnates in the lower limbs. This phenomenon distends the wall of the veins and promotes the appearance of varicose veins. Anyone can develop varicose veins, but the genetic factor is decisive. The risk is four times higher if one of the direct parents, father or mother, is himself concerned.

And six times more when it comes to both parents. Lack of luck, women are more affected by this pathology, especially during pregnancy, a very risky period for the veins. “From the first months, the wall of the veins can become fragile under the effect of progesterone, confirms Dr. Blanchemaison. This hormone whose main role is to distend the uterine muscle will also dilate the vessels.

In late pregnancy, the phenomenon is accentuated, but this time it is the volume of the uterus, as well as the weight of the baby, which cause compression of the deep veins and thus hinder the venous return. Other factors come into play, such as weight gain or the number of pregnancies.

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If you wait for your second or third child, you will be more likely to have varicose veins. Pregnancy is also accompanied by other more benign circulatory disorders, such as varicosities. These small superficial red or blue vessels, visible on the lower body, are unsightly marks, but not serious. They show slight venous insufficiency and may remain at this stage or evolve into varicose veins.

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