Varicose Veins can appear for the first time in pregnancy and may become so painful that
pregnant mothers seek varicose vein treatment.
So can varicose veins be treated safely during pregnancy?
In this video, I will give you my opinion and 4 important reasons why.
In my opinion varicose veins should not be treated during pregnancy and for four very
important reasons
Firstly there is an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Compared to women who are not pregnant, the risk of venous thromboembolism is 4- to 5
times greater.
Now although varicose vein treatment is safe and DVT as a complication of treatment is
very rare for women who are not pregnant, treating varicose veins during pregnancy exposes
the mother to the increased risk of this complication, which in some cases can be fatal.
The reason for this is that pregnant women are in a hypercoagulable state, that is the
blood is sticky and more susceptible to clot formation.
Secondly, varicose vein tend to regress and may disappear once the baby is born.
The superficial vein reflux that is the underlying issue in varicose vein formation is then easier
to treat.
Less extensive treatment for the varicose veins is required after the pregnancy is over.
Thirdly, treatment of varicose veins during pregnancy may cause the appearance of new
broken vein or spider veins (known medically as telangiectasia) as a complication.
These new spider veins may be very extensive and unsightly and may spoil the cosmetic appearance
of the leg.
Neovascularisation or vascular neogenesis is more pronounced during pregnancy.
Lastly, all medical interventions during pregnancy pose a risk to the developing baby.
Some drugs for example are associated with congenital malformations in early pregnancy
and surgery can cause spontaneous premature labour.
Although local anaesthetics (local anesthesia) are thought to be safe, it is a general principle
that the foetus (fetus) should not be exposed to prescription medicines.
Most mothers would not wish run this risk to the baby unless treatment was potentially
life saving.
If you are a pregnant and you are suffering with your veins, consider managing symptoms
with medical grade compression hosiery, elevating your legs whenever you can and perhaps cooling
your legs with cold water.
When you have had your baby, consider intervention to treat the reflux even if the veins seem
to go away completely.
My name is Dr Haroun Gajraj, Thank you for watching