It is during pregnancy when the body undergoes more changes due to the hormonal revolution that entails, but in the postpartum the "surprises" may not end, since sometimes other alterations occur. In the weeks after delivery, the tissues are still soft and the veins may give way, so it is possible for varicose veins to appear. How to prevent varicose veins in the postpartum period? How to reduce them if they had already appeared?
Varicose veins are venous dilations that are characterized by the inability to establish an effective return of blood to the heart. The most common appear in the lower limbs and are much more frequent in women during pregnancy. But, even if we got rid of them at that stage, after having the baby we are not immunized against the uncomfortable and unsightly varicose veins.
If you had varicose veins during pregnancy, these usually disappear a few weeks after delivery. However, the following recommendations are also indicated for these cases, as they will help reduce them, become less visible or disappear (depending on many factors such as their severity, the woman's varicose history ...).
Tips to prevent varicose veins in the postpartum
As soon as you recover from childbirth, walk to reactivate the circulation of the legs. This exercise helps prevent varicose veins, hemorrhoids, edema, eliminate fluids and fats ...
Instead of sitting for a long time with your feet on the floor, keep your feet up (also if you are lying down you can use a cushion to raise your legs).
After the puerperium, you can do swimming, an ideal exercise to activate blood circulation, stay active and recover the previous weight.
Avoid spending a lot of time standing.
Stay well hydrated, drink lots of water, take fruits and vegetables frequently ...
Perform the following exercise, lying on the floor or on a firm surface: alternately lift one extended leg and make circles with each foot in this position.
Lying on the ground or on a firm surface, face up, pedal with your legs up, increasing pedaling time, from two minutes to five.
Remember that this last exercise can only be done when the abdominal muscles have gained more strength after childbirth. Regarding the rest, it is possible to perform them comfortably, some at home and also with the baby or during breastfeeding, so there is no excuse.
As we see, sedentary lifestyle increases the chances of having varicose veins in the legs at any vital stage, since there is more tendency to blood stagnation and more chances of veins becoming overloaded.
Vascular spiders or "telangiectasias" are dilations of more superficial capillaries, which are located immediately under the skin and do not protrude. There are laser treatments for this type of varicose veins, which may arise at other stages of life. Consult the specialist if you are worried, but especially if they are large varicose veins, since their clinical importance is undoubted and can cause problems.
On the other hand, there are the dreaded hemorrhoids, very frequent in pregnancy and after childbirth and that, after all, are a type of varicose veins although probably more painful and uncomfortable. The above tips will also help you reduce your discomfort.
The fact that you exercise after childbirth will not only help you prevent varicose veins, in addition to other health problems, and will help you regain your previous weight. It will also provide you with important emotional well-being.
Photos | iStock
In Babies and more | Varicose veins after childbirth: how to treat them, Nine things a mother wants in the postpartum
