Varicose veins are enlarged veins that can be flesh colored, dark purple or blue. They often look like cords and appear to be twisted and bulging. They can be swollen and raised above the surface of the skin. They are commonly found on the backs of the calves or on the inside of the legs. When you are pregnant, they can appear in the vulva or elsewhere. For example if you are also suffering from hemorrhoids, then you will be interested to know that these are really just varicose veins of the rectal area.
Spider veins are similar to varicose veins though smaller. They are often red or blue and are closer to the surface of the skin than varicose veins. They can look like tree branches or spider webs with their short jagged lines. Spider veins appear on the legs and even the face. They cover either a very small or a very large area of skin.
Many women develop varicose veins during pregnancy – it is estimated that the figure could be as high as 40%. Some pregnant women are more likely to develop varicose veins than others for the following reasons:
• Your mother or your sisters suffer from them
• If you are already overweight
• If you put on too much weight during pregnancy
• If you have poor circulation and too little exercise
• If you stand for long periods of time
• If you are carrying twins or higher multiples.
• If you already have them, they tend to get worse with each pregnancy
• They also tend to get worse as you get older
There are 3 main causes for varicose veins in pregnancy:
• The hormonal changes that occur where increased levels of the hormone
progesterone cause blood vessels to relax. This then allows the two halves of
the valves in the vein to separate slightly so that they do not meet to block
the back-flow of blood.
• The enlarged uterus when pressing against the major veins in the pelvic
region adds to the problem. There is an increase in the pressure in the leg
veins and this can lead to varicose veins.
• A family history of varicose veins tends to increase the likelihood
of varicose veins occurring during pregnancy.
The good news is that those varicose veins that develop during pregnancy can be treated using a varicose veins treatment.