Veins and pregnancy

Vein issues during pregnancy: Causes

Women can experience more issues with their veins during pregnancy. Possible causes:

• Change in hormone balance: The hormone-induced, reduced vascular muscle tension renders the vessels more elastic and wider. This leads to the venous valves no longer being able to close properly, which in turn causes a backlog of blood to form in the veins. 
• Increase in blood volume: To ensure that your unborn child receives everything it needs as it grows, the expectant mother’s blood volume increases along with her heart rate. On average, expectant mothers have 40 per cent more blood in their bodies.² This means the veins also have to do more.
• Weight gain: The natural weight gain increases the pressure on the leg veins. This can lead to a reduction in the return transport of venous blood to the heart. Furthermore, in the last trimester of pregnancy, the increasing weight of the child can lead to a mechanical obstruction in the pelvic veins.

Especially in women with additional risk factors – such as a genetic predisposition for venous disorders, obesity or lack of exercise – venous issues can develop into a chronic venous disease.

The typical symptoms of vein problems

In certain cases, changes in the leg veins during pregnancy cause barely any discomfort. Such changes often remain cosmetic and disappear of their own accord after delivery. However, sometimes during pregnancy, vein issues can materialise such as sore legs and more severe impairments. If left untreated, these can develop into a chronic venous disease.

Swollen legs

Doctors also speak of “pregnancy-induced oedema” in cases of venous oedema in expectant mothers. These are hormonal in nature and are triggered by the decreasing muscle tension in the vessel wall: The blood volume increases while, at the same time, the vein walls slacken and the veins dilate. If the venous system has to work harder, but is unable to do so, venous oedema and varicose veins can occur as a result of blood congestion in the leg veins.

In the afternoon and evening, in particular, the symptoms become worse. And significantly swelling of the legs can occur.

Varicose veins (varices): Possible side effects during pregnancy

Varicose veins that develop during pregnancy often, but not always, disappear after birth. They appear visibly as bluish superficial veins, often in a meandering and nodular form. Although these venous changes can occur all over the body, they usually affect the legs, which can be painless despite the presence of varicose veins.

Pregnancy and spider veins

Spider veins are small dilated skin veins that often appear as bluish-violet “nests” on the skin’s surface. They mainly occur on the insides of the lower legs and thighs, as well as in the hollows of the knees and ankles.³ Sometimes, spider veins are also a harbinger of varicose veins later on during pregnancy.

Treatment and prevention of venous disorders

The basic treatment is medical compression therapy. Medical compression stockings, for example, from medi, exert mechanical pressure on the tissue and, in combination with movement, support the function of the calf muscle pump. This allows the venous valves to close again more effectively, thus improving the flow of blood through the veins and back to the heart. Complaints such as swollen feet and aching legs during pregnancy are relieved. Medical compression stockings are available in a wide variety and can barely be distinguished from “normal” stockings and tights.

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Additional everyday tips for healthy veins during pregnancy

The following additional steps are suitable for preventing vein problems during pregnancy:

• Getting enough exercise
• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Raising and resting your legs
• Wearing comfortable shoes
• Cooling your legs

With these tips and the medical compression stockings prescribed by the doctor, expectant mothers can themselves do a lot to prevent vein problems and alleviate acute complaints.