You’re quite happy about your baby bump. But it’s hard to have the same level of excitement for the bumpy blue veins that have started appearing on your legs and other parts of your body. However, varicose veins during pregnancy are very common.
Varicose veins can be uncomfortable, but they’re usually nothing to worry about. And even better, varicose veins usually go away or get better after your baby is born.
But why are varicose veins so common during pregnancy? Where can they appear? And is there any way to prevent or get rid of varicose veins? Below, we’ll answer those questions and more.
What causes varicose veins during pregnancy?
Your veins are part of the circulatory system and move blood through your body. If blood isn’t flowing properly, it can back up and pool within your veins. The extra blood in your veins can cause them to bulge through the skin and become enlarged, swollen varicosed veins. Varicose veins are usually dark purple or blue but can also be red.
While you may think of varicose veins as something that happens when you get older, they are also very common during pregnancy because of changes in blood flow. About 80% of people have blood flow problems (also called chronic venous insufficiency) during pregnancy – and of those, about 40% develop varicose veins. Here are some reasons why being pregnant affects blood flow in your body:
- Hormones – You have more progesterone, a hormone that relaxes blood vessel walls and changes how your vein valves work.
- Increased blood volume – When you’re pregnant, the volume of blood in your body increases by about 30-50%. This extra blood is needed to provide essential nutrients for your growing baby.
- Pressure – Your baby is pushing against the large vein (the inferior vena cava) that carries blood back to the heart from your feet and legs. This can change blood flow in your legs and pelvic region.
- Genetics – Varicose veins during pregnancy tends to run in the family. If your mom or grandmother had them when they were pregnant, there’s a greater chance that you will too.
- Constipation – During pregnancy, constipation is common. Constipation is a cause of varicose veins in your rectum or around the anus (where poop comes out).
- Diet – Too much sodium or not enough fiber can make you retain water and increase your risk of varicose veins.
- Weight – Varicose veins are more common when you’re carrying extra weight.
When do varicose veins start in pregnancy?
You can develop varicose veins anytime during pregnancy, but they tend to start in your second trimester – in the third or fourth month of pregnancy.
What varicose veins look and feel like during pregnancy
The most common locations for varicose veins during pregnancy include your legs, ankles, external genitals, rectum and anus.
For some people, varicose veins don’t cause any symptoms, but for others, varicose veins can cause pain that’s mild or severe. The amount and seriousness of varicose vein symptoms often depends on where they’re located on your body – the ones on your external genitals or near your anus tend to be more bothersome than those on your legs or ankles.
Swollen veins on your legs and ankles
Legs and ankles are the most common locations for varicose veins. There’s a long distance between your feet and your heart, and the blood needs to flow against gravity. Plus, walking and standing increase the pressure on the veins in your legs.
Often, you won’t feel varicose veins on your legs. But they can make your legs feel heavy or cause symptoms such as discomfort, pain, itchiness, cramping or swelling. If you’re bothered by varicose vein symptoms, talk to your OB-GYN, midwife or other women’s health specialist about them. They’ll have recommendations about what you can do.
Varicose veins on the vulva, including labia (vulvar varicosities)
During pregnancy there’s a greater chance of getting varicose veins on the external genital area, but it still only happens in about 8% of pregnancies. When you’re pregnant, more blood is flowing to the pelvic region, but if the blood flow from your lower body to the heart is slower, blood can pool in the vulva.
Varicose veins on the labia or other parts of the vulva can cause pain or discomfort in the genital area, upper thighs and lower back. It can also cause a feeling of fullness in the vulva or itchiness in the surrounding area. Symptoms of vulvar varicosities usually get worse after standing for a long time or during intercourse. Applying a cold compress to the vulva may help relieve discomfort. It’s also a good idea to ask your women’s health specialist for other recommendations.
Enlarged veins on your bottom (hemorrhoids)
Varicose veins on your bottom are known as hemorrhoids. They are more common during pregnancy because of hormonal changes and because your growing baby is putting pressure on your anus and rectum.
Hemorrhoids can cause pain or itching around the anal area. Often, hemorrhoids can be treated at home with topical pain relievers. Sitting in a warm bath helps too.
Hemorrhoids can cause rectal bleeding, and you may notice bright red blood on the toilet paper. This usually isn’t something to worry about, but it’s a good idea to tell your doctor. If there’s a lot of blood, head to urgent care.
Spider veins during pregnancy are also common
If you see thin, threadlike veins through your skin, that don’t bulge, those aren’t varicose veins – they’re probably spider veins. Spider veins are groups of small veins and can look like spider webs or branches under your skin. They can be red, blue, purple or green.
Spider veins can show up on your face, neck, arms, belly or legs during pregnancy. They have the same causes as varicose veins, but they are milder and usually harmless and painless.
What you can do about varicose veins (and possibly prevent new ones)
It’s not always possible to prevent varicose veins during pregnancy, but there are things you can do to make them less likely or to keep them from getting worse. Your women’s health specialist will be able to provide suggestions personalized to you, but common recommendations include:
- Moving more – Try not to sit or stand in one place for too long.
- Changing how you sit – Don’t cross your legs when sitting. If possible, elevate your feet.
- Increasing fiber and limiting sodium – Eating more fiber is one of the best ways to relieve constipation. And cutting back on sodium can help reduce swelling, making it easier for blood to move through your body.
- Wearing compression garments – Maternity support pantyhose and compression socks apply mild pressure on your legs and blood vessels, making it easier for your body to push blood from your lower limbs back to your heart.
- Sleeping on your side – This sleeping position takes pressure off the inferior vena cava, which is the major vein that returns blood from the lower body to the heart. If you find it uncomfortable to sleep on your side, try placing a pillow between your knees and another one under your belly.
- Exercising daily – Working out while pregnant increases blood flow and can help with varicose veins. Thirty minutes of low-impact exercise, like a walk, is usually a good target. But it’s important to be safe, so talk to your doctor about what makes sense for you.
Varicose veins during pregnancy are usually nothing to worry about
Varicose veins during pregnancy are usually harmless, and doctors typically don’t treat them since they tend to improve after you have your baby. Rarely, varicose veins can get infected. If your varicose veins feel hard, warm or especially painful, or the surrounding skin looks red, call your doctor or head to urgent care.
Varicose veins often go away after pregnancy
The varicose veins and spider veins you get during pregnancy often go away after childbirth. This is especially true if they’re caused by changes to your body – such as increased weight and blood volume – that naturally go away after birth and during the postpartum recovery process.
It can take up to 12 weeks for these veins to fade or disappear since your body needs time to recover. Some changes happen right away – after delivery, your uterus will no longer press down on the inferior vena cava. But it can take a little longer for other changes, like for your hormones and blood pressure to level out.
When to talk to a doctor about varicose veins
Most of the time, varicose veins aren’t anything to worry about. If they’re not painful, you can wait to bring it up at your next visit in your prenatal appointment schedule. Or you can certainly make an appointment to see your doctor sooner. However, if you think a varicose vein is infected, head to urgent care.
After your baby is born, continue to keep an eye on your veins. While the enlarged veins you get during pregnancy usually go away on their own, sometimes they don’t. If your varicose veins stick around for more than a few months, or get worse, talk to a women’s health specialist or primary care doctor. They’ll be able to provide tips for varicose vein self-care. If appropriate, they can also refer you to a vein specialist to learn more about varicose vein treatments.