Varicose Veins after Pregnancy

When you hold your baby in your arms for the first time, all the discomfort and pain that you experienced during those nine months seems worth it. However, there are a few conditions that may remain after the birth of your baby too, and one such condition is varicose veins.

What is Postpartum Varicose Veins

Many women have varicose veins during pregnancy, but sometimes this problem of varicose veins may stay after pregnancy too. In some cases, there may be an improvement in the condition after childbirth. However, even if the condition may get better, but the damage that your veins may have suffered remains irreversible.

Causes of Varicose Veins after Childbirth

Following are the causes of varicose veins in women post-pregnancy:

1. Number of Pregnancies

It is observed that the chances of developing varicose veins increase with the number of pregnancies. This means if you suffered from this condition in your first pregnancy, then the chances are that you may suffer from it in your subsequent pregnancies too.

2. Genes

If you have a family history of varicose veins then you may suffer from it too.

3. Extra Damage to the Veins

If the veins are damaged too much during pregnancy, then this damage may not be fixable. And you might suffer from this condition post pregnancy too.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Postnatal Varicose Veins?

Following are some of the signs and symptoms of varicose veins:

• You may experience pain in your legs.
• There may be swelling in your feet and legs after standing for too long.
• Your legs may feel heavy, sore, or tender.
• You may notice blue blood vessels on your legs and feet.
• You may have a burning sensation in your legs.
• You may have skin ulcers around your ankles.
• You may experience itching on these veins.

How to Treat Varicose Veins after Delivery

Varicose veins may lead to discomfort and pain, and thus it is important to treat them. If you wish to treat varicose veins after pregnancy, the following suggestions may help:

1. Keep Your Legs and Feet Elevated

Make sure that every time you sit; you keep your legs and feet elevated. You may use a stool while sitting and pillows while lying down to elevate your legs and feet. Also, as far as possible refrain from standing for longer durations.

2. Exercise for Better Blood Circulation

Your condition can improve if there is proper blood circulation. Therefore, it will be a good idea to take out some time for exercising, as it will improve your blood circulation and thus reduce the symptoms of varicose veins.

3. Try Sclerotherapy

This is an effective way of reducing the symptoms of varicose veins. The procedure involves the use of a solution, which is injected into the affected veins to reduce the discomfort. However, it may take time for this treatment to show the effective results.

4. Wear Support Hose

This is a great way of treating this condition as the tight stocking may help improve the blood circulation and reduce the pain and discomfort.

Effective Home Remedies

Some home remedial measures may prove to be effective in treating this condition, such as:

• Honey is a great remedy to relieve the pain and puffiness. You may apply a thin layer of honey, cover it with polythene for some time and wash.
• Take high doses of vitamin and minerals by drinking carrot, beet, or spinach juice. All these juices may help in removing swelling and extra fluid.
• You may use chamomile infused bandages to wrap the affected area to reduce the symptoms.
• Apply a mixture of olive oil and beeswax to the affected area two times a day to provide relief from.

How Can You Prevent Varicose Veins

Here are some ways that may help in the prevention of varicose veins:

• Exercise regularly
• Follow a healthy diet
• Drink ample amounts of water
• Wear comfortable shoes
• Maintain proper hygiene
• Maintain a healthy weight

FAQs

1. Will My Varicose Veins Go Away After Pregnancy?

Varicose veins will not disappear after pregnancy. Though your symptoms may improve after the birth of your baby, however, they may not completely vanish, and in some cases, they may resurface too.

2. What If My Varicose Veins Don’t Go Away After Delivery?

If your symptoms do not subside within 3 to 6 months after the birth of your baby, we recommend that you opt for varicose vein treatment. However, in most cases, your doctor may recommend you to wait, until your body recovers from childbirth, and in some cases until you stop breastfeeding your baby.

When to Consult a Doctor

If your symptoms are not improving after giving birth to your child or if you are experiencing great discomfort, it is recommended that you get in touch with your doctor for the same.

If you suffer from this condition, you can try various home remedies and other treatment options. However, first, get your doctor’s approval for the same.