Conservative Care Tips for Varicose Veins after Pregnancy

We recommend most women wait 3 months following the end of their pregnancy before pursuing treatments for varicose veins. It’s important to give your body plenty of time to try and repair itself naturally as your hormone balance and weight revert to pre-pregnancy levels. 

If your varicose veins don’t improve after that period and are making you uncomfortable, or if you’re just unhappy with their appearance, you have plenty of options for postpartum vein treatments in Rogers.

However, giving your body time to heal naturally doesn’t mean you’re stuck feeling uncomfortable. There’s a lot you can do to improve your varicose veins after pregnancy at home. Here at the Ozark Regional Vein & Artery Center, we understand how important it is to empower women to improve their vascular health. After all, healthy habits now can lead to lifelong vascular wellbeing.

So, here are some conservative care tips for varicose veins after pregnancy!

Improving Your Venous Health After Pregnancy

During pregnancy, physical changes can come together to compromise this system. The extra weight your body needs, the pressure from internal shifting as your uterus grows, and the increase of the hormone progesterone—which can relax or overly dilate blood vessels—can combine to weaken blood flow. This results in large, swollen, and painful varicose veins.

Making health-conscious choices while pregnant or in the postpartum period can go a long way to making yourself more comfortable and improving your circulatory health. After all, preventing lasting vascular issues before treatment is necessary is always the best course of action.

Caring for Varicose Veins After Pregnancy

If you’re looking for more specific steps you can take to prevent or improve your varicose veins after pregnancy, here are a few behaviors that can improve your circulation and mitigate venous insufficiency:

• Exercise. Exercising is a great way to improve venous insufficiency. Exercising gets your blood flowing, which can mitigate blood pooling in your veins. Walking and cardiovascular exercise are especially beneficial.
• Wear compression stockings. Compression socks or stockings apply constant light pressure to your legs. This gently forces blood up the veins in your legs through applied pressure. As a result, compression stockings may help alleviate the blood reflux that leads to discomfort.
• Elevate your legs. Elevating your legs while sitting down can naturally help the blood flow toward the heart, as your veins won’t have to work against gravity. This can improve circulation and lessen blood reflux in your legs.
• Avoid wearing high heels. Wearing high heels can harm blood flow in your legs. You should wear flat or low-heeled shoes because this flexes and exercises your calf muscles, promoting more circulation.
• Monitor your diet. Watching what you eat and drink is especially important. You want to reduce your sodium intake to minimize vein swelling. You also want to drink plenty of water and eat a fiber-healthy diet to prevent constipation—which can increase blood pressure.

While taking time to let your body recover is important, you should still consult a vascular specialist if you’re experiencing painful and uncomfortable varicose veins. Conservative care is important for getting healthy, but these behaviors shouldn’t replace consulting a healthcare provider or vein specialist.

If you’re worried about your vascular health, turn to professionals.

Conservative Care Experts

If you’re looking for conservative care support or expert guidance, turn to the Ozark Regional Vein & Artery Center. Our experience and growing suite of care options enable us to guide you toward lasting wellness solutions for a happier, healthier life.

We are a premier practice in Northwest Arkansas for all the highest-quality vascular treatments available. Dr. Haney, Dr. Stout, and our expert staff have over 75 years of combined experience in the industry. Patients come from all over Northwestern Arkansas, from Fayetteville to Bentonville, to receive the best leg vein procedures available.

Take the first step on the road to recovery with our Virtual Vascular Screening Tool or schedule a consultation. We also hold regular free screening events. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified of our free public events and other practice specials!