Pregnancy and maternity: your leg health is essential

Pregnancy: protect your legs!

Pregnancy will change your life completely. Your body may have already started to change. Early hormonal changes lead to hot flushes, nausea, changes in mood and appetite…

…but did you know that these body changes also affect your blood circulation?

Under the hormonal influence of pregnancy, your blood will clot faster, and the veins will dilate. This can impede proper venous return of the blood and increase the risk of vein damage such as development of varicose veins. Also, blood clots may form in your leg veins.    

Your body will undergo substantial changes with every trimester to accommodate your growing baby. The blood volume increases and the growing uterus applies direct pressure on your veins. This can press on and partially block some of your veins and directly affect your venous system.

Here are some tips for your leg health during pregnancy.

Heavy legs, leg pain, swelling, and varicose veins: Why do these symptoms increase during pregnancy?

During your pregnancy, you may experience leg symptoms such as heavy, tired, aching legs and swollen feet. 6 in 10 women discover their first varicose vein during pregnancy; varicose veins often appear around the fourth month.

The appearance of venous leg symptoms is caused by the increased blood volume necessary to help your baby grow. The growing uterus can press on and partially block some of your veins. And since pregnancy hormones have dilated your veins, blood return to your heart has been complicated as well.

Factors that may increase the risk of developing venous disorders during pregnancy

• Smoking
• Hereditary predisposition
• Pre-existing venous conditions
• Multiple pregnancies
• Prolonged sitting or standing

By wearing medical compression, you can effectively do something for your leg health

Medical compression is the standard for prevention of venous insufficiency; wearing compression is recommended for the entire pregnancy. Medical compression promotes blood circulation and alleviates the discomfort in the legs. Your legs will feel lighter, more energized, and less swollen.

Wearing compression stockings will also help to prevent the development of varicose veins. Varicose veins are aesthetically unpleasing, but they can also be associated with symptoms, such as pain, itching, burning, or cramps.

Venous insufficiency associated with pregnancy does not immediately disappear after giving birth. Thus, it is advised to wear medical compression also for at least six weeks after your baby is born.

What are the risks of thrombosis (DVT) or phlebitis in pregnancy?

The risk for thrombosis is increased by a factor of 3 to 5 in pregnancy and by 60 in the six weeks that follow.

Several reasons contribute to the increased thrombosis risk:

• The composition of the blood: To prevent uncontrollable blood loss during birth or in the event of a miscarriage, the blood coagulates faster. This, on the other hand, can lead to the formation of a blood clot in your veins, to damage your veins, and to a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This is a serious situation that needs immediate intervention. If the blood clot is detached and travels to the lungs, this could lead to pulmonary embolism, a potentially fatal event. Even if this case is very rare, it represents the second leading cause of maternal mortality after haemorrhage.
• Increased pressure inside the leg veins: The growing child is pressing against the pelvic vessels, restricting the flow of blood back to the heart.
• Blood flow back to the heart is heightened by the increased amount of blood and the dilation of the veins during pregnancy.

Be nice to your legs: wear compression stockings during pregnancy

Your doctor may already have recommended or prescribed medical compression, the standard treatment to prevent DVT and to treat venous insufficiency. Medical compression also provides relief from heavy legs and leg swelling.

A simple – and drug-free – solution suitable for most body shapes. 

Healthy and happy during pregnancy – and beyond

When it comes to taking care of your legs during your pregnancy, you can rely on medical compression. From the very first use, you should feel a beneficial effect.

Therefore, compression stockings are advisable from the beginning of pregnancy until the end of the high-risk period of up to six weeks after having given birth.