Varicose Veins in Pregnancy
For most ladies pregnancy is a happy time with a happy ending, but like most things in life, there are also some downsides – varicose veins are one of those downsides.
Varicose veins are not caused by pregnancy – for example 25% of the male population also get them. However, pregnancy definitely makes them worse. Lots of ladies suffer trouble with their veins both during and after pregnancy – these
problems range from aching and discomfort, swelling of the legs, painful superficial thrombophlebitis up to nasty vulval varicosities and even the severe complication of Deep vein thrombosis.
After pregnancy the veins will usually subside a lot but still be uncomfortable and, of course, quite unsightly.
It is often said that women should 'wait until their family is complete' before having veins treated - this is incorrect. If varicose veins are causing significant symptoms then treatment is indicated, even if further pregnancies are planned. In fact having known varicose veins going into a pregnancy is likely to increase discomfort during the pregnancy itself.
