"Veins are the blood vessels that return blood from your extremities to your heart, so the blood in your leg veins is already working against gravity. When you're pregnant, the amount of blood in your body increases, adding to the burden on your veins. And your progesterone levels rise, causing the walls of your blood vessels to relax." ~babycenter.com
I find for me, they are the worst in the morning, after a night of lying still and sleeping. They progressively fade through the day as I am moving more...but never fully go away. I have done some reading, and for many they do disappear after pregnancy. And for some, they don't. I am hoping I am a lucky one!
Not only are the a bit unsightly, through the night or first thing in the morning, they can actually throb and hurt a bit. And throughout the day, my legs are definitely "heavy".
Apparently some ways to help prevent them are to exercise and refrain from being sedentary, sleep on your left side, and stay within the healthy weight range through pregnancy...all of which I do and am doing. I think if exercise and movement actually had a part in preventing them, I would have the most attractive vein-free legs you have ever seen, lol. I move daily. Through work, two kids and a gym workout I have no excuse not to! So, I am chalking it up to possibly " they tend to get worse with each successive pregnancy and as you get older."
Sure, why not!
Who knows, maybe its the way the baby is lying: the way I am carrying: or, just because!
Anyone had or have them through pregnancy? What was your secret? Did you find something that made them less or more prominent?
I am off to the store to make an investment...compression stockings for bedtime. Sexy I know. My husband is going to love me...
