Are varicose veins dangerous for pregnant women?

During pregnancy, the enlarged and retroverted uterus of women and the increased intra-abdominal pressure may compress the abdominal veins, increase the intra-venous pressure, and hinder the venous return of the lower limbs. In addition, in the middle and late stages of pregnancy, the blood volume increases and the activity decreases, which makes the venous walls thinner and more prone to expansion, especially the superficial veins of the lower limbs. These unfavorable factors make pregnant women more susceptible to varicose veins in the lower limbs, with the incidence rate significantly higher than that of non-pregnant women.

2. The site of varicose veins in pregnant women

The lesions of varicose veins in the lower limbs during pregnancy are limited, mainly superficial varicose veins in the ankles and calves, and the degree of varicose veins is mild. The main manifestations are dilation, winding and tortuosity of the superficial veins in the calves and ankles. Limb swelling and skin nutritional changes generally do not occur. After delivery, the uterus recovers, the intra-abdominal pressure decreases, and varicose veins in the lower limbs can be relieved or disappear to varying degrees.

3. Complications of varicose veins during pregnancy

Pregnant women who have varicose vein symptoms should be careful about the occurrence of complications.

Varicose veins in pregnant women during pregnancy are more common in the veins of the lower limbs. Generally, there are two types: pathological and secondary. Pathological veins can be caused by congenital weakness of the veins or long-term increase in local venous pressure, which is common in workers who stand for a long time. Secondary veins are caused by compression of the external iliac veins by the pregnant uterus in the pelvis.

4. Treatment of varicose veins during pregnancy

(1) Treatment of varicose veins during pregnancy does not require surgical treatment. The key is to increase activities during pregnancy appropriately, avoid standing for too long, sitting for too long and moving little, so as to improve blood circulation in the lower limbs and prevent and reduce varicose veins.

(2) Another important measure is to artificially improve blood circulation in the lower limbs, reduce edema in the lower limbs, relieve the pain and discomfort caused by varicose veins, and prevent the severity of varicose veins from worsening.