HOW TO BATHE A BABY SAFELY: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE FOR NEW PARENTS

Noticing blue or purple, twisted veins on your legs during pregnancy can be worrying, but it is very common. Varicose veins often appear or get worse during pregnancy, and for most women they are uncomfortable rather than dangerous. This guide explains why they happen, what can help, and the warning signs that need medical attention.

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are swollen, enlarged veins that you can see just under the skin. They are most often blue or purple, and may look twisted or bulging. They usually appear on the legs, but can also develop in the vulva or around the anus. Varicose veins around the anus are called haemorrhoids (piles).

Why do they happen in pregnancy?

• More blood: your body makes extra blood to support your baby, which puts more pressure on your veins.
• Hormones: pregnancy hormones, especially progesterone, relax the walls of your veins, which makes them stretch more easily.
• The growing womb: as the uterus grows, it presses on the large veins in the pelvis, which makes it harder for blood to flow back up from your legs.
• Family history and previous pregnancies: if your mother had varicose veins, you are more likely to get them. They also tend to get worse with each pregnancy.
• Other factors: carrying twins, being overweight, standing or sitting for long periods, and being older can increase the risk.

Symptoms

• Visible blue, purple, or dark twisted veins
• Aching, heavy, or tired legs, especially at the end of the day
• Swollen ankles and feet
• Throbbing, burning, or itching around the veins
• Night-time leg cramps
• In the vulva: a feeling of heaviness, pressure, or swelling

You may have very little discomfort, or quite a lot. The amount of discomfort does not always match how visible the veins are.

What helps? Practical relief

Move, but not too long in one position

• Avoid standing or sitting still for long periods. Change position and walk around every 30 minutes or so.
• Walk daily. Swimming is also a gentle option that many pregnant women find comfortable.
• If you sit a lot, flex and rotate your ankles and move your toes to keep the blood flowing.
• Avoid crossing your legs for long periods.

Raise your legs

• Put your feet up on a cushion or stool when sitting, and lie with your legs raised above heart level for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day.
• Many women find sleeping on their side, with a pillow between the knees, more comfortable in later pregnancy.

Compression stockings

Graduated compression stockings or tights can ease aching and swelling. They are tighter at the ankle and looser higher up the leg, which helps push blood back towards the heart.

• Ask your doctor, midwife, or pharmacist for the right size and strength. Calf-length stockings may be enough for some women, while others need thigh-high or maternity tights.
• Put them on in the morning, before you get out of bed, when your legs are least swollen.
• Do not wear stockings that are too tight or that roll down at the top.
• Check with your doctor first if you have skin problems, poor circulation, or diabetes.

Everyday habits

• Wear comfortable, supportive shoes. Avoid high heels for long periods.
• Avoid tight clothing around the waist, groin, or thighs.
• Gain weight gradually, as advised by your midwife.
• Avoid constipation, because straining increases pressure in the veins. Eat fibre, drink water, and stay active.
• Avoid very hot baths for long periods, and a lukewarm or cool shower is more comfortable for tired legs.
• Do not rub or massage hard on varicose veins.

Vulval varicose veins

If you feel heaviness or swelling in the vulva, lying down with your hips raised can help. A cold pack wrapped in a cloth may bring comfort, and some women find supportive maternity underwear or special support garments helpful. They usually improve after birth. Tell your midwife if the discomfort is severe, as she can advise you about birth plans.

What to avoid

• Injections or laser treatment during pregnancy. Doctors generally advise waiting until after the baby is born, because veins often improve on their own.
• Herbal supplements such as horse chestnut. They are not recommended in pregnancy without medical advice.
• Creams that promise to "cure" varicose veins. They may soothe, but they do not fix the problem.

Will they go away after birth?

For many women, varicose veins improve within a few weeks to a few months after giving birth, and some disappear completely. Others stay, and they often get worse with each pregnancy. If they are still bothering you after a few months, ask your doctor about treatment options. Treating them between pregnancies can reduce discomfort in the future.

Warning signs: when to get medical help

Most varicose veins are harmless, but pregnancy also increases the risk of blood clots, during pregnancy and for some weeks after birth. A clot in a deep vein is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and it needs urgent treatment.

Contact a doctor urgently if you have:

• Pain, swelling, and tenderness in one leg, often in the calf or behind the knee, which may be worse when walking
• Warm, red, or discoloured skin on one leg
• A hard, red, painful, warm line or lump along a vein, which can mean inflammation of the vein
• Bleeding from a varicose vein (apply firm, steady pressure with a clean cloth, raise the leg, and seek help)

Call emergency services immediately if you have:

• Sudden shortness of breath
• Chest pain, especially when you breathe in
• Coughing up blood
• A very fast heartbeat, or feeling faint

These can be signs that a clot has travelled to the lungs, which is a medical emergency.

Frequently asked questions

Do varicose veins harm my baby?

No. Varicose veins in the legs do not affect your baby. They are about your circulation, not your baby's growth.

Can I exercise with varicose veins?

Yes. Walking, swimming, and gentle exercise are usually helpful. Check with your doctor if you have severe symptoms or a history of clots.

Are spider veins the same as varicose veins?

Spider veins are thin, red or purple lines close to the skin surface. They are usually harmless and often fade after pregnancy.

Can I prevent varicose veins?

You cannot prevent them completely, especially if they run in your family, but staying active, avoiding long periods of standing, and using compression stockings can reduce discomfort.

Will varicose veins affect my delivery?

Leg varicose veins do not usually affect the way you give birth. Talk to your midwife if you have vulval varicose veins that are painful or large.

Sources and further reading

• Vanderbilt Health, Varicose veins in pregnancy
• Thrombosis UK, Thrombosis and pregnancy (fact sheet)

This article is for general education and does not replace advice from your doctor or midwife. If you notice sudden swelling or pain in one leg, or have chest pain or breathlessness, get medical help immediately. See our Disclaimer.

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