How to prevent varicose veins during pregnancy
Have you been noticing unattractive, swollen blood vessels in your leg while you are pregnant? These leg issues during pregnancy are caused by extra blood that eventually become a burden to your veins. Here are a few things you can do to minimize this condition during pregnancy.
Make Vitamin C Your New Best Friend
Maintaining a healthy diet is always important, but it’s particularly a great idea during pregnancy. A diet rich in vitamin C will help your body produce collagen and elastin. These two key connective tissue play an integral role in repairing blood vessels. Some great sources of this vitamin are oranges, broccoli, berries, and tomatoes. Click here for learn about more minerals and vitamins that can help your legs.
Dress Like a Casual Mom
The days of wearing tight and flattering clothing may be coming to an end soon. While you are pregnant, consider wearing looser garments so that your blood flow is not restricted, thus making varicose veins harder to form.
Instead of wearing a dress with a tight belt and stiletto heals or skinny blue jeans with a tight elastic shirt and tight-fitting shoes, reach for a loose fitting dress or tunic and chic ballet flats. The ultimate goal is to be comfy not a super model.
Go Ahead and Wear Those Compression Socks
Although compression socks/stocking and support hose are not exactly attractive, you may want to start wearing them to prevent varicose veins. These types of garments are designed to encourage blood flow to go back up toward your heart instead of down to your legs. Along with preventing blood from pooling, compression socks can also reduce inflammation significantly. For the best results, put the support hose on in the morning as soon as you get up.
Don’t Forget to Exercise Regularly
If you take several walks each day, you are on your way to preventing varicose veins. Whenever you have a chance, engage in physical activity throughout the day to improve your circulation. Aside from walks, many low-intensity exercises like yoga and aerobics can also get your blood flowing. Click here for more exercise ideas.
Kick Your Feet Up
Staying off your feet as often as you can is just as important as exercising daily. When other important responsibilities aren’t calling your name, keep your legs and feet elevated to the level of your heart or even higher when possible. When you are lying down, a few pillows can be used as props. If you are lounging in a chair, a tall still or box will work. In order to keep your blood flowing, resist the urge to cross your legs and instead flex your ankles every now and then.
Keep A Close Eye On Your Weight
When it comes to weight gain during pregnancy, the doctor always knows best. Most practitioners encourage their pregnant patients to only gain between 25 and 35 extra pounds. If you gain any more pounds than this recommendation, you might unintentionally increase the demands of your blood flow, which will ultimately result in uncomfortable leg issues during pregnancy.
These common leg issues during pregnancy typical improve within four month of having your beautiful baby. If you do not see an improvement after five months of giving birth, contact a vein specialist at St Johns Vein Clinic immediately at 877-640-VEIN to schedule a free consultation. After a thorough evaluation, we will determine if varicose vein treatments are necessary.
