Varicose Veins During Pregnancy: Causes, Prevention & Relief Tips

Written by Nicklya Harris-Ray
Medically Reviewed by Jabeen Begum, MD on October 01, 2025
8 min read

Varicose veins during pregnancy are very common. For most women, they are usually a harmless result of the pregnancy itself. Pressure from the uterus on the circulatory system causes blood to back up on the way back to the heart from the legs. Such varicose veins can be easily managed and eventually should go away. 

About half of pregnant women notice swollen veins near the surface of their skin in their legs. These are varicose veins.

Superficial veins in the leg have one-way valves. They help move blood upward, against gravity, back to the heart. During pregnancy, many physiological changes occur, including the veins getting bigger and more visible. Another physiological change is the growth of the uterus, which affects the main blood vessels.

Varicose veins are usually hereditary. Your mother may have had them too, and not much can be done to prevent them.

During pregnancy, blood volume in the body increases. It can increase by up to 20%. The number of veins remains the same, though, meaning that there is more work for your limited vascular system.

Meanwhile, spikes in your hormones, such as progesterone, relax the ligaments of the pelvis and the muscle cells in the walls of the vein. This makes the upward movement of blood more difficult during pregnancy.

As a result, veins dilate, which places pressure on the valves. This causes the veins to swell even more, making the valve almost useless.

The veins can become itchy and uncomfortable. Though usually found in the legs, varicose veins can also show up in the genital area and as hemorrhoids in the rectum.

Varicose veins appear as twisted, large, raised bluish/purplish veins in the legs. They often appear on the inside of the legs or the back of the calves. They may cause:

  • Mild swelling in the feet or ankles
  • Aching
  • Throbbing in the legs
  • Heaviness

They can cause leg cramps. Some may also consider the veins a cosmetic issue. Regardless, you should let your OB/GYN know that you have them. This is especially important if they cause discomfort.

Rarely, venous insufficiency can occur. This is the failure of the veins to return the blood to the heart sufficiently, and so, the skin begins to break down. Other rare scenarios include inflammation of the veins, which causes extreme pain and possible blood clots.

Diagnosing varicose veins during pregnancy is usually straightforward:

Physical exam. Your doctor will examine your legs, genitals, and rectal area, depending on your symptoms.

Doppler ultrasound. If your symptoms are severe, your doctor may recommend a Doppler ultrasound (also called a duplex ultrasound) to measure blood flow in your surface and deep veins. This test can help:

  • Grade the severity of your varicose veins
  • Check for signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a serious complication

Most varicose veins during pregnancy don't require treatment since they usually improve on their own after giving birth. So, it's important to see your doctor if you notice any concerning symptoms so they can rule out complications.

Compression stockings are a good treatment and support for varicose veins. They come in many styles, strength levels, and sizes. You can buy them online, but a prescription submitted by your doctor to a medical supply store can give you a stronger option. Just make sure they are not too strong.

The stockings are graded by pressure value with a measurement of millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Doctors recommend anywhere from 20-30 mmHg strength, which is considered moderate- to high-pressure. The lowest strength available is 8-15 mmHg.

Warning: Some moms have tried horse chestnut extract (with esculin, which is poisonous, removed). Please note that eating the flower, raw bark, leaf, or seeds of this plant instead of the extract is poisonous and can be fatal. In fact, the safety of the use of horse chestnut extract, even with the poison parts removed, is unknown. So, it is best to avoid it while you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Doctors advise against having elective surgery to get rid of the veins during pregnancy. The veins usually fade after birth.

Several things can be done to avoid varicose veins, avoid making them worse, and ease vein pain:

  • Keep your feet raised often.
  • Engage in daily low-impact exercises with your doctor's approval.
  • Take regular breaks and move back and forth as much as possible after long periods of standing or sitting.
  • Keep your legs uncrossed while sitting.
  • Sleep with your body turned to the left side to keep pressure off the inferior vena cava, which is located on the right side of the body.
  • Wear maternity hose to help support your legs.

You could try these practical adjustments as well:

  • Cut down your salt intake to minimize swelling of the veins.
  • Drink a lot of water, and eat plenty of fiber to stop constipation.
  • Avoid wearing high heels. It is wiser to wear flat shoes or low-heeled shoes because this exercises the calf muscles, aiding in better circulation.

Both varicose veins and hemorrhoids are twisted, swollen veins. They are called hemorrhoids when they are found in the rectum. They can get worse with straining or pushing that comes with constipation. If you were overweight before pregnancy, hemorrhoids can worsen during pregnancy. Pushing during delivery can also make them worse.

Hemorrhoids can form inside the rectum (internal) or around the anus (external). Internal hemorrhoids can grow and bulge through the opening of the anus. The bright red blood that appears during a bowel movement is the most common symptom of hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids can be itchy or painful. They can even bleed if irritated by wiping and straining.

Varicose veins are usually harmless, though they could become uncomfortable and itchy. They typically go away within three months of giving birth. In the majority of cases, moms walk away from pregnancy with varicose veins that, if not completely gone, are less painful and prominent. 

Again, varicose vein surgery is not suggested during pregnancy because they usually automatically improve after birth. However, if the veins become tender, warm, red, swollen, or if they bleed, you should immediately contact your doctor. If the skin of the leg thickens or changes color, or if you get a rash, it is equally important to see a doctor.

Several at-home approaches can help ease discomfort from varicose veins during pregnancy:

Movement and positioning

  • Do ankle exercises to get your circulation going — bend each foot up and down and rotate it in circles.
  • Shift your weight from foot to foot regularly while standing.
  • Keep your legs raised when resting or sitting.

Compression

  • Wear compression stockings throughout the day, which can help ease pain and aching.
  • Put them on first thing in the morning before swelling starts.

Diet changes

  • Cut down on salty foods to minimize water retention.
  • Eat foods high in potassium to lower water retention.
  • Include foods with flavonoids, which improve blood circulation and keep blood flowing.

What to avoid

  • Wearing tight clothes around your waist or thighs.
  • Standing or sitting in one position for long periods.
  • Crossing your legs when sitting.

Beyond the normal changes of pregnancy, certain factors can raise your chances of developing varicose veins:

Family history. You're more likely to get varicose veins during pregnancy if your mother or grandmother also had them. 

Diet. Too much sodium or not getting enough fiber or water can make you retain water and up your risk.

Weight. Carrying excess weight can put extra pressure on your veins.

Multiple pregnancies. Each additional pregnancy raises your risk — studies show the risk of varicose veins nearly doubles with each pregnancy.

Pregnancy issues. Excessive weight gain during pregnancy, post-term pregnancy, and preeclampsia can affect the development of varicose veins.

Lack of movement. Standing or sitting for long periods, especially with legs bent or crossed, may raise your risk.

Age. Getting older can cause the valves in your veins to weaken from normal wear and tear.

Are varicose veins normal in pregnancy?

Yes, varicose veins are very normal during pregnancy. About half of pregnant women notice swollen veins in their legs. They're usually a harmless result of pregnancy and happen because:

  • Your blood volume grows by up to 20% during pregnancy.
  • Your growing uterus puts pressure on your blood vessels.
  • Pregnancy hormones like progesterone relax the vein walls, making it harder for blood to flow upward from your legs.

If your mother had varicose veins during pregnancy, you're more likely to get them too, since they're usually hereditary.

Can walking reduce varicose veins?

While walking won't make varicose veins disappear, daily low-impact exercise, such as walking, can help prevent them from getting worse and ease discomfort. Check with your doctor before starting any exercise routine during pregnancy.

Walking helps by keeping your blood flowing and exercising your calf muscles, which helps with circulation. It's one of many simple steps you can take to manage varicose veins during pregnancy.

Does compression help varicose veins in pregnancy?

Yes, compression stockings are a good treatment for varicose veins during pregnancy. They offer support and help ease discomfort.

You can buy them online or ask your doctor for a prescription for medical-grade stockings from a medical supply store. Doctors typically recommend stockings that:

  • Are of 20 to 30 mmHg strength (moderate to high pressure)
  • Aren't too tight
  • Are worn throughout the day

Maternity support hose can also help support your legs and reduce varicose vein pain.

How can I reduce varicose veins during pregnancy?

You can take several steps to prevent varicose veins from forming or getting worse:

Daily habits

  • Keep your feet elevated often.
  • Do low-impact exercise daily (with your doctor's OK).
  • Take breaks to move around after sitting or standing for long periods.
  • Don't cross your legs while sitting.
  • Sleep on your left side to lower pressure on major blood vessels.

What to wear

  • Use compression stockings or maternity support hose.
  • Skip the high heels — flat shoes or low heels work your calf muscles better and improve circulation.

Diet adjustments

  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Eat lots of fiber to prevent constipation.
  • Cut back on salt to minimize swelling.

These changes can help manage varicose veins and ease pain, though they may not prevent them entirely if you're prone to them.

Can you massage varicose veins during pregnancy?

The provided source material doesn't include information about massaging varicose veins during pregnancy. Before trying massage or any new treatment for varicose veins, talk to your OB/GYN — especially if your veins are causing discomfort.

When to call your doctor

Contact your doctor right away if:

  • Your varicose veins become tender, warm, red, or swollen.
  • Your varicose veins start bleeding.
  • The skin on your leg thickens, changes color, or develops a rash.

Varicose veins usually go away or improve significantly within three months after giving birth. Surgery isn't recommended during pregnancy because the veins typically get better on their own after delivery.