Pregnancy & Varicose Veins
Pregnancy can increase your risk of developing varicose veins due to hormonal changes, increased blood volume, and added pressure on the leg veins. These enlarged, twisted veins can cause discomfort, swelling, and visible bulging beneath the skin — but they’re also a sign of underlying venous insufficiency, a treatable medical condition.
Common Symptoms During Pregnancy
- Aching or heaviness in the legs, especially after standing
- Visible, bulging or rope-like veins
- Swelling in the ankles or feet
- Throbbing, cramping, or itching near visible veins
- Skin discoloration around the calves or ankles
Find relief with minimally invasive vein treatments designed for women during and after pregnancy.
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What Causes Pregnancy Related Varicose Veins?
During pregnancy, your body produces more blood to support your growing baby, increasing pressure on your veins — particularly those in your legs. The hormone progesterone also relaxes vein walls, allowing blood to pool more easily. As the uterus expands, it can compress nearby veins and further slow blood flow, causing veins to enlarge and become varicose. Women with a family history of vein disease, multiple pregnancies, or long periods of standing are at greater risk.
How It’s Diagnosed
Our specialists perform a thorough vein evaluation using a non-invasive duplex ultrasound to assess blood flow and identify venous reflux (improper vein valve function). This helps distinguish cosmetic surface veins from deeper medical vein issues that may require treatment.
Treatment Options for Pregnancy Related Varicose Veins
While some varicose veins improve naturally within a few months after delivery, others persist and may worsen without care. Safe, minimally invasive treatments can restore healthy circulation and relieve symptoms.
Options include:
- Compression therapy: Supports veins and reduces swelling during pregnancy.
- Radiofrequency ablation (RFA): Closes malfunctioning veins using gentle heat.
- Sclerotherapy: Seals smaller surface veins with a medical solution (typically post-pregnancy).
- Lifestyle guidance: Exercise, leg elevation, and supportive stockings help improve blood flow.
All procedures are performed in-office, require little to no downtime, and are covered by most insurance plans when medically necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some mild cases improve after delivery, but persistent or painful veins often indicate venous insufficiency that requires treatment.
Most procedures are postponed until after childbirth, but conservative management like compression and elevation can help reduce symptoms safely during pregnancy.
Yes, several options — including RFA and Varithena — are safe once cleared by your provider post-delivery.
It’s rare, but it can happen — especially with larger, untreated varicose veins in the legs or vaginal area. The increased pressure during labor may cause these veins to swell or, in uncommon cases, rupture. If this occurs, your healthcare team can manage the bleeding safely.
Treating varicose veins before future pregnancies can reduce your risk of complications and improve comfort during delivery.
In most cases, varicose veins are not dangerous to you or your baby. They’re a common side effect of increased blood volume and hormonal changes. However, they can cause discomfort and, in rare cases, may lead to superficial blood clots (thrombophlebitis) or skin irritation.
Our vein specialists can evaluate your circulation to ensure your veins are healthy and to reduce your risk of complications during and after pregnancy.
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Varicose Veins During Pregnancy: What to Know & How to Manage Them
Pregnancy is an exciting journey filled with incredible changes, but some of those changes—like varicose veins—can be unexpected and uncomfortable. If you’ve noticed swollen, twisted veins appearing on your legs, you’re not alone.
Ways to Prevent & Treat Varicose Veins after Pregnancy
Pregnant women can develop varicose veins, but there are steps you can take to prevent & treat them. Varicose veins are veins that have become damaged and provide poor circulation to the rest of the body. They usually look very twisty and bulge out from underneath the surface of the skin. During pregnancy, many people develop this condition. It could be due to pressure placed on veins from the uterus or from the added weight.