Pregnancy and leg Health

Most pregnancy-related ills disappear shortly after childbirth: Hemorrhoids shrink, heartburn subsides, and you no longer have to rush to the bathroom every 10 minutes. But unsightly varicose veins and spider veins can stick around longer than your kids do.
Venous disease may develop as early as 6 weeks into pregnancy, sometimes even before your first missed menstrual period. Vein disease is sometimes the first sign of pregnancy!
Varicose veins occur when blood pools in the vessels, making them visible through the skin or even causing them to bulge. Spider veins are networks of tiny capillaries that look like spiders' legs.
The symptoms of varicose veins vary in severity. There may be severe pain, mild aching, sensation of heaviness or none of these symptoms -in your legs. A faint outline of bluish veins may be visible, or serpentine veins may bulge from ankle to upper thigh and/or vulva.
Hereditary is the main cause for both, yet several changes during pregnancy may contribute: Blood volume increases, hormones cause vessel walls to relax, and the weight of the uterus slows blood flow in the lower half of the body.
Pregnancy also increases the risk of vein inflammation with formation of blood clots (thrombophlebitis). This can destroy valves (leading to varicose veins). These clots can also reach the lungs causing a life threatening obstruction (pulmonary embolism).
Normal, healthy leg veins, carry blood back to the heart. They are designed with series of valves that prevent back flow because they must work against gravity. When these valves are missing or faulty, blood tends to pool in the veins where the pressure of gravity is greatest, such as in your legs, resulting in the bulging of varicosities.
Pregnancy also can cause higher risks for untoward effects from long-distance airplane trips. During pregnancy, hormonal changes cause vein walls to relax and stretch. Blood flowing to and from the uterus puts added pressure on the veins. The baby's weight puts more stress on the mother's leg muscles and vein walls. Twenty percent of women who are pregnant develop varicose veins, and, if left untreated, 50% will suffer from varicosities for the rest of their lives. When the back flow of blood is beginning to occur in a pregnant woman's body, the smaller veins near the surface of the skin will become visibly knotted and look like spider webs (ie, spider veins). The first signs of potential clot formation include swollen, aching feet and legs with edema and increasing fluid retention. (24)

The Benefits of Compression Stockings

Ask your physician or nurse-midwife about wearing compression stockings.

Wearing graduated compression stockings has been clinically proven to effectively prevent varicose veins and blood clots. It even relieves many uncomfortable symptoms which occur in your legs during pregnancy. It may also avoid fatigue and heaviness.
Graduated compression stockings are tightest at the ankle gradually becoming looser as it goes up. This helps reduce swelling and augments the calf-muscle-pump, improving blood flow through the deep veins.
Regular support hose dont help the efficiency of the calf muscle pump. Non-graduated compression may actually cause more harm than good by creating a tourniquet effect.

Other Recommendations

· First, talk with your doctor
· Walk regularly
· Avoid standing or sitting for prolonged periods
· Avoid high impact aerobics, such as running and jogging or weight lifting
· Eat a high fiber diet
· Control your weight
· Wear compression hose on long trips

Modern Vein Therapy - by HAUER
Hauer USA offers a full range of maternity compression stockings. By wearing a Hauer stocking youll enjoy a perfect fit and superior leg vitality. To meet your fashion demands, our stockings offer the latest stylish colors.
Each Hauer stocking is created using the finest imported yarns resulting in a fine mesh structure and, of course, a light transparency.