Prominent veins (turn bluish) and varicose veins (bulging veins) happen when the legs swell in pregnancy. Changes in pregnancy such as increased blood volume and the weight of the fetus and uterus pressing on the large pelvis veins changes the blood flow in the veins. They are harmless unless they start feeling hard, warm or painful then it is worth seeking your Doctors advice.
The changes usually appear from the 2nd trimester onwards and most usually appear in the legs, genital area and in the anal area known as haemorrhoids or piles (read more in the Haemorrhoids/Piles Section)
WAYS TO AVOID MAKING THE LEG VEINS WORSE
- Take frequent breaks and try to avoid sitting or standing for too long without changing position
- Keep your feet up as often as possible to reduce swelling
- Avoid crossing your legs as this increases pressure down on the pelvic veins
- Do regular low impact exercise – see our Pregnancy Exercise Guide for ideas
- Lie on the left side rather than right so not put pressure on the inferior vena cava blood vessel which happens more when lying on the right side
- Wear Maternity Compression Pantyhose (pic below) – stick to maternity specific ones which create gradual compression more at the ankle moving to less as they go up the leg
this make – Truform
HOW CAN YOU GET RID OF PROMINENT OR VARICOSE VEINS?
You can only help prevent them worsening as above during pregnancy. After pregnancy if they still pose an issue then there are treatments such as Sclerotherapy and Vein Removal. See Our ‘Get Back To Being You’ Guide for more info on the treatments available.
If you are thinking of having another baby the usual advice is to put off any treatment until you have completed all planned pregnancies in your life.
