Varicose veins are enlarged, lumpy, dark-colored superficial veins that are most commonly seen on the legs. When a vein wall or valve lose elasticity, blood flow gets affected. Blood can get “stuck” in the vein or start flowing backwards, which causes the vein to become swollen and enlarged.
Developing varicose veins during pregnancy is common for many women. Treating this condition sometimes requires the help of a pregnancy veins Los Angeles specialist, as it might become complicated over time, and worrying that varicose veins might not go away is, sadly, justified. Learning about the causes and making varicose veins go away after pregnancy should therefore be your number one priority.
Natural blood flow increase. As baby grows, a mother’s body naturally adapts: blood flow increases to support both bodies, which puts additional pressure on mother’s blood vessels. As they get weaker, blood flow becomes irregular, which may lead to the formation of varicose veins during pregnancy.
Weight gain. It is perfectly normal to experience weight gain during pregnancy but this body change, along with the blood flow increase, puts more pressure on the legs, which is why varicose veins are most commonly seen on the legs.
Uterus pressing pelvic blood vessels. As the womb expands to make more room for a growing baby’s body, it puts more and more pressure on pelvic area veins, which sometimes leads to them becoming varicose.
Increased hormone levels. Hormone levels change during pregnancy, which can affect the elasticity of blood vessels, increasing the risk of developing varicose veins.
Risk factors associated with the occurrence of varicose veins during pregnancy also include age (the older we get, the higher the risk), genetic predispositions, obesity and inactivity.
Serious complications of varicose veins are quite rare. It’s not possible to determine if varicose veins will cause complications, but it is concluded that the size is not the risk factor, but the duration of having a varicose vein. Possible complications may include bleeding, ulcers forming on the skin near the vein, dry and itchy skin near the vein, and vein inflammation caused by a formed blood clot.
Pregnancy varicose veins often go away after the baby is born, but, unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. If your varicose veins are present even after the delivery, don’t worry. There are treatments for this condition a specialist can offer you, but choosing the proper method depends on many factors. Your doctor will need to ask you several questions before recommending the appropriate treatment.
It is commonly recommended to wait between 2 and 6 months after the delivery to check if the condition will get better on its own. If the condition does not improve, you should consult a specialist.
Here at Beverly Hills Vein Institute, we know how important it is for you to get better. Dr. Ivan Brooks, MD specializes in painless, non-surgical vein treatment that does not require a long recovery process. Feel free to schedule an appointment to get the recommendation and the treatment you need to get back to all the activities that await you and your newborn!
