Varicose Veins during Pregnancy
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Questions
Vaginal varicose veins at 28 weeks
June 2004
I am 28 weeks pregnant (first pregnancy) and started getting painful varicose veins in my legs at 20 weeks. They literally cover the entire back of my right leg only. Now I have them on the right side of my pubic area and on the inside of my vagina (sorry this is so graphic and gross). They KILL!!! I am so worried that they will rupture when I am working out, or that that my OB will automatically make me have a c- section. Does anyone know anything about them? Do you think I should see a ''high risk'' OB-GYN? Do you know of any high risk OB's in the Berkeley/Oakland area? I feel so nervous about what is happening to my body!! I am fearful if I don't workout every day to keep my blood flowing that I will develop a clot. On the otherhand, I am fearful that I will rupture one of the veins by continuing to workout. Any advice is appreciated!!!! Thanks! Stephanie
Sorry to hear of your troubles...I oddly didn't have any veins pop out on my legs but had terribly painful, bulging vains on my vulva. My doc told me I'd be fine and I went on to have an easy 1.5 hour labor and vaginal delivery. I think the veins cleared up as soon as she was out!I am a school teacher so the doc thought it was my daily standing that led to the trouble in that area. I worked out doing prenatal water aerobics 2-3 times per week and prenatal yoga 1 day a week...Good luck to you! been there!
I can feel your pain! I developed the same thing in my first pregnancy, and it was extremely painful. I couldn't stand for more than a minute without agonizing pain. I had no idea what it was until the doctor delivering my son informed me. I am now pregant with my second and the same thing has happened again, but this time starting at month 2! Basically I have to wear maternity support underwear, granny pants as I call them. They do help a lot. Doesn't help the pain totally, but makes it bearable. I also developed vericose viens in my legs and now have to wear compression socks to help with that. I am also supposed to elevate my legs as much as possible, which is easier said then done when I am working full time and running after a four year old. My doctors tells me that this is very common in pregnancy and usually they will dissapate after pregnancy. Apparently the extra weight and size of the uterus hinders the blood flow to and from the lower extremities. (the from being the problem. Vericose viens are caused by pooling blood). The joys of pregnancy! If not though I will be visiting a vascular surgeon. Sorry to hear you are having a hard time and hopefully you can find some relief! Lisa
This happened to me in my second pregnancy. Before talking to my OB I was convinced it was going to rupture during delivery. I also felt a lot of discomfort particularly when standing up (sort of a blood rushing thing). My OB said it wasn't a big deal (although my situation was apparently particularly pronounced). And in fact it went away fairly quickly after delivery, actually I was quite amazed give how huge it was. The leg ones much less. Just my experience for your perspective. Anon
Horrible varicose veins in the 3rd trimester
March 2004
I'm just starting my third trimester with my second pregnancy and was hoping to get some more advice on how to minimize these horrible varicose veins that have cropped up in the past month or so. This didn't happen with my first (well, I got the annoying labia ones but at least those didn't show AND went away later) and I'm so frustrated b/c I'm told they're here to stay. I'm pretty fair skinned so they look just horrible and are starting to hurt as well. My doctor told me to get those support compression hosiery but with the warm weather (especially in Walnut Creek) I think that would drive me nuts. I'm thinking about getting some spandex leggings to wear under my pants to help support my legs. Any suggestions on how to deal/ prevent new ones would be most appreciated. And worse case scenario, has anyone had any luck getting rid of them later with injections/lasers? Thanks so much. Frustrated momma
I had horrible veins with my second pregnancy. Aside from being hideous, they really hurt. I was due in the summer, so l also was reluctant to wear support hose. Ultimately, I did, and they did make a difference. I would try it if I were you. And I wouldn't use just ''support hose'' from the store; I would get the compression hose. I don't think spandex leggings will do much for you. I had to go to my doctor and get a ''prescription'' so that they would be covered by my health insurance. They weren't the most comfortable things to wear when it got hot, but they weren't horrible either (better than the veins for me). Good luck! Elizabeth
Been There Done That! I had the same vein problems with my last pregnancy and I can't stress enough how much the stockings that the dr. has to measure you for and order that cost like $100 work and relieve that awful feeling associated with veins. I am a Kaiser patient and it wasn't until I had a woman midwife/practioner in Walnut Creek that I was granted the permission to get this as well as authorized the viens being removed post delivery!!! The other drs. I had were men and they wouldn't authorize it. I was in Kaiser Walnut Creek. So if you can talk your dr. into getting them removed later (with injections--which was no big deal at all) you are lucky...I think the key things to say are ''it really really hurts'' and te tell the truth I had to lie and say that I wasn't breast feeding b/c they think that if yoru hormones change then you may not have the veins any longer (which I knew they wouldn't cause I had them pre preg. but not as bad) So #1 Get the special stocking (ted stocking won't do) #2 Convince your dr. to have them removed later (injections are no big deal) #3 It feels and Looks GREAT to no longer have the Varicoise veins!!! No More Varicoise!
If you actually want to minimize varicose veins -- wear the support hose recommended by your doctor. While spandex is nifty and looks good, it will not supply nearly the pressure necessary. Leggings with that much support would probably be extremely uncomfortable, especially when you are pregnant.
Its my understanding that most varicose veins arrive in repeat pregnancies (not the first). You might want to ask your doctor for a lead on someone to zap them for you later. Heather
I would recommend the compression hose too. I'm in the 5th month of my first pregnancy and recently started getting them bad. I have to stand at work and my legs would ache. Got a pair at Cotton & Co. on College Ave for about $25 and what a difference! Not ''back to normal'' but much more comfortable (except the heat...) Liz