“I am 7 months pregnant and suffering from varicose veins. Will this condition persist even after my delivery?”
I am 7 months pregnant and since the 5th month of my pregnancy I have been suffering from varicose veins. I would like to know if this condition would automatically resolve after my delivery or is it a lifelong condition?
15 Answers
Varicose veins are common in pregnancy due to several factors. Once you deliver, it is quite possible that you will revert back to the pre-partum state. However, it is not uncommon for damage to some venous valves will persist leaving you with venous insufficiency and some varicosities. I suggest you find a local vascular surgeon to evaluate you during the pregnancy and then to follow after you deliver.
Congrats and good luck.
Congrats and good luck.
Some women experience an improvement or even complete resolution of their varicosities after recovery from childbirth. However for some women, it is the trigger for vein problems that don't go away. But see a vascular surgeon to get a full evaluation and strategies to reduce chances of them worsening, such as wearing compression socks during pregnancy and possible procedures after giving birth.
You will notice a relief from the varicose vein after your delivery. A high pressure in the pelvis caused by the baby leads to enlargement of the vein in the legs. I recommend you see a vascular specialist after your delivery to study your leg veins appropriately.
Once you have delivered your baby, your varicosities should improve. Once you are back to normal menstrual cycle and the varicosities are still visible or you are experiencing heaviness and fatigue in your legs, then you should be evaluated for treatment. I would also recommend to elevate your legs couple times a day for about 20 minutes above your heart level and start using a support stocking. Good luck and congrats on your pregnancy.
Marsel Huribal MD
Marsel Huribal MD
Congratulations on your pregnancy! As for your varicose veins that you have, I trust that your obstetrician has recommended some gradient compression stockings of at least 20-30 mmHg or a V-strap until you deliver. If the veins are on just your lower legs, knee high compression socks are adequate, but if they are above the knee you will feel better and have fewer leg aches and heaviness if you wear thigh high. If the varicosities are in your vulvar area, a V-strap will help a lot. Many varicosities will recede after delivery, especially the vulvar ones. The varicosities of the legs may improve as well AND if you have another pregnancy they will recur and most likely be even worse than they are now. You do not have to struggle with this the rest of our life as there is a permanent solution. Check out the American College of Phlebology's website about varicose vein treatments and after your delivery, consider having an evaluation with a vein specialist who will be able to discuss treatment options with you. Again, best of luck with your new baby!!
KathyLee Santangelo, MD
KathyLee Santangelo, MD
They will likely improve substantially after delivery but probably not resolve completely. See a vein care specialist if you problems persist after childbirth
Brian G. Rubin
Brian G. Rubin
Many times the varicosities will improve after delivery. If you are not currently wearing them, you need to start wearing pregnancy top compression stockings on a daily basis with 30-40 compression. Having varicosities increases her risk for blood clots. This will help reduce that risk. After you deliver, you should then have an ultrasound checking for valvular issues, which are a prime cause for varicosities. If you have them with this pregnancy, subsequent pregnancies usually will make things worse.
If this is your first pregnancy then yes, there is a good chance things will resolve after you deliver. If this is your second or later, less likely. If they do not resolve 3 months post partum, they will be permanent
Usually it will improve after the pregnancy
If condition persists you should seek for professional help
If condition persists you should seek for professional help
Venous insufficiency is a condition of leaky valves inside the veins. There are a few factors that can cause varicose veins to appear or worsen. During pregnancy, blood volume increases causing the veins to become enlarged and the valves to become weakened. Hormones that are secreted to allow the body to grow and expand also cause the walls of the veins to become dilated. Increased abdominal weight from the baby causes increased pressure within the veins. All of these factors resolve after pregnancy and sometimes symptoms improve. Compression stockings and elevation of the legs are recommended during pregnancy to reduce the pressure in the veins. If symptoms persist after pregnancy, an ultrasound by a Registered Vascular Technologist is recommended to evaluate the function of the valves within the veins to determine if further treatment is necessary. You may visit our website, WeKnowVeins.com to learn more information about Varicose Veins during pregnancy.
Unfortunately, not. For sure, the symptoms will get better after delivery as the gravid uterus is not weighing on the iliac veins, but you will likely have recurrent sx's with each pregnancy. This is a well described phenomena. It is likely, too, that you have a positive family history for this condition. Compression stockings (even knee high) will provide symptom relief.
Please wear compression during your pregnancy. The varicose veins will get better after the delivery, but sometimes can persist and in that case, get an ultrasound to see the valve function and then proceed accordingly.
Yes, but how bad they are is hard to predict. When you are pregnant your blood volume increase 40% and all the hormones that make it possible to squeeze a baby through your pelvis act on all the connective tissue. That and you have the baby sitting in your pelvis. Your body will go back to normal but the problem called superficial venous insufficiency will remain. It will usually get worst over the years as well.
It will resolve somewhat but may have some persistent damage each succeeding pregnancy will make it worse
Hopefully not.
