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Varicose veins
Dilation of veins, usually in the legs, due to rupturing of the small valves in veins that keep blood from pooling in the vein. Many pregnant women experience distended, enlarged veins on their legs. The enlarging uterus puts pressure on the major veins of the pelvis slowing the blood flow through them and causing backpressure on the other veins such as those of the leg. This is also the reason that hemorrhoids sometimes occur during pregnancy. The severity of varicose veins varies from person to person and may be inherited. Some women hardly notice their varicose veins and for others they are painful requiring treatment. Treatment includes wearing support hose, elevation of the legs above the heart, resting, wearing flat shoes, not crossing your legs, and staying off your feet as much as possible. These all aid circulation in the legs, which ultimately is the only thing that will help varicose veins. Although they might not disappear after pregnancy they should get better.
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