Varicose veins (varices) during pregnancy

Many women notice their first varicose veins during pregnancy. There is a simple reason for this: the major hormonal changes cause the vein walls to slacken, an ideal prerequisite for the development of varicose veins. In addition, the growing uterus exerts increasing pressure on the veins in the small pelvis, making it more difficult for blood to flow back to the heart. This causes the superficial leg veins to dilate. The valves can no longer close properly, which increases the congestion of the blood and causes the veins to bulge – varicose veins form. In some cases (especially towards the end of pregnancy), these can extend as far as the labia. Although this is quite unpleasant, it is completely harmless from a medical point of view.

Prevention during pregnancy

The best way to prevent varicose veins from forming during pregnancy is to wear compression stockings consistently.

This should be taken to heart, especially if you already had vein problems with pronounced varicose veins before pregnancy. This can otherwise worsen and lead to a "venous leg ulce". In this case, the stocking should continue to be worn after delivery in the so-called puerperium, as the risk of phlebitis and thrombosis is particularly high. Compression treatment is also the best means of prevention in this situation.

Avoid risk factors

Take the following tips to heart during pregnancy to avoid unnecessary congestion of the veins:

• plenty of exercise
• avoid sitting and standing
• gymnastic exercises and water treatments support the veins and decongest the legs
• although surgery or sclerotherapy can also be performed during pregnancy, both procedures should be avoided, if possible, in order to eliminate any increased risk to the unborn child
• compression treatment, e.g., with stockings, poses no risk to the unborn child

Normalization after birth

Varicose veins usually disappear after the birth, as the pressure of the previously enlarged uterus on the veins in the small pelvis is removed and hormonal changes return to normal.

The tension in the vein walls increases again and their relaxation decreases. However, even after the birth, some valves may no longer close properly as a result of the prolonged strain. If there are additional risk factors such as obesity, lack of exercise, an inherited "weak connective tissue", a predominantly standing or sedentary job, etc., the varicose veins may reappear after some time. Regression is no longer possible in these cases.