Top Tips for Reducing Varicose Veins

During your pregnancy journey you may have noticed swollen and enlarged veins predominantly on your legs and feet [1]. They may be blue, or dark purple in colour, and can be lumpy, bulging, or twisted in appearance.

These are varicose veins and are often the result from extensive blood volume that was circulating alongside the additional weight of carrying your baby [2]. For some women varicose veins can resolve themselves after pregnancy, but there’s no reason you can’t try some tips to relieve them in the meantime.

Below are some top tips you can try to follow to try and resolve or reduce the discomfort of varicose veins.

### 1. Compression Stockings

Compression stockings work by increasing the blood flow by maintaining a firm and constant pressure on the veins. This helps the blood flow back up the legs to the heart [3]. For the greatest benefits, it is suggested to put them on as soon as you get up in the morning, before the blood has a chance to pool in the lower extremities but remember to take to them off before you go to bed at night. Compression stockings are a regularly prescribed ‘treatment’ option for the discomfort caused by varicose veins, such as aches and pains, and studies have shown them to be effective [4]. However, these types of stockings are not suitable for everyone, and guidance should be sought from your doctor beforehand [5].

### 2. Try to Keep Moving and Exercise if you can

Movement and exercise increase blood flow, and therefore can alleviate and reduce varicose veins [6]. If you find yourself sitting for long periods of time, such as in a desk job, small ankle and toe movements can be completed to help increase blood flow. A particularly good exercise for the legs is swimming. Although it is advisable to keep moving and exercise, it is also suggested that prolonged standing should be avoided, to limit the pooling of blood in the legs [7].

### 3. Prop your feet up!

It could be helpful for you to prop your feet up when you’re sitting down, for at least 15 minutes a day. The legs should be raised about the level of the heart, to keep the blood from collecting in your legs [8]. At night, when lying in bed, you could also place a pillow under your ankles to raise them up slightly.

## 4. Talk to your doctor

Most of the time the best course of action is to speak with your doctor about your concerns. They will be able to signpost or prescribe treatment options that could work for you. Although many women state their varicose veins disappeared or reduced significantly after pregnancy, this likeliness reduces with each subsequent pregnancy, and some women opt for surgical options [1]. Your doctor will be able to discuss the best options with you and allow you to make an informed decision about your treatment options.

Varicose veins can be a normal part of pregnancy, but they can cause pain and discomfort. It’s useful to have tips on how to minimise their appearance and pain, but the best advice is to talk with your medical provider. They will be able to go through all available treatment options so you can make the most informed decision about your body.