I’ve been trying to share my journey of my honest pregnancy struggles on social media, and one of the things that always spikes a lot of conversations is about varicose veins, and what I’m doing to naturally “help” my painful varicose veins during pregnancy. I have a first trimester update you can read if you missed that. 

So let me give you a little bit of my history. I am currently pregnant with baby number three. My varicose veins have progressed throughout my pregnancy as shown below.

Did I have them with my first two babies?

Yes, but it wasn’t this bad. With Bella (my oldest), they started getting really painful during the third trimester. With Teagan (now two years old), they were also very severe and it started earlier than with Bella. So early that I was seeing a vascular specialist around 20 weeks for the pain, and having tests done because the doctors hadn’t see them this severe in pregnant woman before. Isn’t that always nice when doctors say that what they see you going through is a first?! #facepalm

In general, my body responded immediately to pregnancy #3. My belly was bigger almost instantly. The veins were also probably more elastic at this point from stretching with my first two babies; so, by 8 weeks the veins had already started. Throughout pregnancy, they’ve gotten progressively worse.

What causes painful varicose veins during pregnancy?

There are potentially many explanations:

• Our bodies are circulating extra blood while pregnant, and the flow from the leg to the pelvic region is decreased.
• Depending on where you carry the baby, it puts different pressure to block flow, potentially making them worse for some women.
• As your uterus grows (which is grows from only being a few ounces when not pregnant to up to 2 lbs when pregnant), it puts pressure on the veins (inferior vena cava) when pregnant.
• Hormones. Enough said. Your progesterone levels rise, which relax the walls of your blood vessels.  
• Lymph blockage- the lymphatic system is a combination of the tissues and organs that rid the body of unwanted toxins. It transports lymph. Lymph buildup and blockage can lead to a variety of diseases and conditions. We have lymph throughout our whole bodies, including in the inguinal area (the crotch) and the legs. Look at the image below.

What has helped me?

I haven’t found one thing to be the magic pill for a cure for painful varicose veins during pregnancy, but it really is a combination of all things that bring relief. Here is what I’ve been doing:

• #1 thing: Wearing compression leggings/socks. I got professional/medical grade ones from my doctor that were fitted in a doctors office and covered by my insurance. Talk to your doctor for options.
• Icing my feet and my crotch. Get a large ice pad and put in the top of your feet, then bottom of your feet. Get a small ice pack for your crotch. Put your feet up and use both.
• Baths with epsom salt.
• Rotating throughout the day sitting, standing and feet elevated on the couch. Never stay in one position too long.
• Making sure to get some exercise- elliptical, walking, etc. Gentle exercise helps with circulation
• Essential oils- Kelly at Lovingly Yours created a custom blend for me that rub over my legs it includes cypress, lavender, etc. and it helps with some pain (use caution when using essential oils. Kelly even expressed concern about what point in my pregnancy this was safe, which oils were safe, etc.).
• Arnica cream: Arnica is an herbal cream used for soreness, bruising, etc. I rub it on at night before I put my feet up with an ice pack. This is the kind that was recommended to me that I use- on Amazon.
• Lymph massage- find a specialist in your area who focuses on lymph drainage and lymph massage. It is a light/medium massage done in a particular way to help with the flow and blockage of lymph. I started doing this around week 24, but I wish I had started sooner.
• Dry brushing- to help stimulate lymph.
• Limit inflammatory foods- the bruising, the pain, the swelling, while some of it is related of course to the hormones, some is also inflammation. So watching your diet to void it of inflammatory foods is beneficial.
• Chiropractic care- while I see more results/benefits from seeing a chiropractor as it relates to my back pain and pregnancy headaches, finding a chiropractor who practices the Webster Technique on pregnant women, has been helpful. This technique opens up the pelvic region.
• Wear comfortable shoes. I have literally rotated between two pairs of shoes for the last 3 months as they are the only thing that is comfortable. Avoid heals.

Other tips for painful varicose veins during pregnancy:

• Make sure you talk to your doctor about your situation. Get an ultrasound done to make sure no clotting is happening.
• The pelvic region is the most painful place for me, so keep a small ice pack ready at all times to use.
• To prevent hemorrhoids, make sure you’ve cleaned up your diet to avoid constipation.
• Don’t cross your legs, try to sit with both feet on the ground, do not sit criss-cross applesauce on the ground/couch, that makes it worse in the pelvic region.

Most people are surprised I have varicose veins. I eat well, drink lots of water, I’m in shape, I take my vitamins and supplements. Clearly, varicose veins don’t care about any of that. Honestly, this has been the most difficult part of my pregnancy, and I really want to be vocal about it so other pregnant mamas that are in my shoes can find not just solidarity but also find tips and tricks in dealing with them.

Did you have painful varicose veins during pregnancy? We would love to hear more about your story and what you did to help with the pain! Please share below!