Varicose veins can appear on your legs during pregnancy as your body produces more blood to support you and your baby. Unfortunately, with the weight of two people being carried by your legs, the veins tend to become swollen which can cause bumps to appear on your legs which most women hate to see. Although varicose veins can ache or itch at times, they won’t put you or your baby at risk. However, if you want to minimize their appearance on your legs, you should put these tips into practice.
Start moving.
One of the best ways to prevent varicose veins is to start moving. Light exercises such as walking can help keep your blood flowing. You can also do light aerobics so that, aside from making your blood circulate better, you’re also strengthening your muscles and bones in the process.
Elevate your legs.
As much as possible, elevate your legs when you can. This will help improve blood circulation to minimize varicose veins.
Maintain your weight.
Pregnancy weight is not unusual especially since you will be eating for two but gaining too much can put further pressure on the veins of your legs causing varicose veins to pop out. Stick to what your doctor advises when it comes to added weight so you will be able to maintain a healthier physique.
Skip the high heels.
Another trick to minimize the appearance of varicose veins is to wear flat shoes as much as possible. High heels can put pressure on your veins which in turn can make varicose veins more visible. What’s more, wearing flats can ensure that you will stay balanced while walking especially when you’re carrying extra weight in the middle.
Stay comfortable.
When it comes to dressing up, wear clothes that are not too tight. Go for those that are breathable and comfortable to wear. Tight clothing or wearing tight socks and underwear can restrict blood flow which can cause varicose veins.
Keep hydrating yourself.
Another way to prevent or minimize varicose veins is to drink plenty of water. This helps flush any harmful toxins that can build up inside your body while at the same time, keep your skin smooth and supple. The water can also help keep your veins healthy so they can accommodate the amount of blood flowing through them.
Get enough vitamins.
Fortunately, there are a lot of ways in which you can prevent varicose veins from happening or at least reduce their appearance in your body. Aside from those tips mentioned above, you should also pay attention to your diet. Health experts recommend that you get plenty of vitamins and minerals daily to keep your veins healthy. Increase your intake of foods that contain vitamin C as this vitamin can help with your elastin and collagen production.
Support hose is useful.
Although it is not exactly sexy to wear, support hose can actually help minimize the presence of varicose veins. What it does is to counteract the effects of gravity on your belly so that the veins found in your legs won’t have a hard time with the blood pooling downwards.
These are just a few suggestions on how you can treat varicose veins during your pregnancy. As much as possible, keep your legs elevated whenever you sit down to help ease the pressure on your veins and legs and to give you relief. Through light exercise, proper diet, and rest, you will be able to strengthen your veins while ensuring that you and the baby growing inside you will remain healthy throughout your pregnancy.
