The Effect of Pregnancy on Veins

Darrell Caudill, MD, FACS
VEININNOVATIONS
5673 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd.
Suite 340
Atlanta, GA 30342

Pregnancy is one of the most common times women develop vein problems. During pregnancy the mother has an increased blood volume. In addition to increased blood volume, the growing baby puts pressure on the largest vein of the body located in the abdomen (the vena cava) which is transmitted to other veins down the legs. The hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy also affect veins. Pregnancy as a whole is a “set-up” for vein valve stress and damage. While it is true that by about three months after delivery, vein problems generally improve, damage done to the vein valves does not repair itself and vein problems may become worse with subsequent pregnancies. Though treatment is not done during pregnancy, it is certainly desirable between pregnancies. It is important for all the reasons just listed to ask a health care provider about the advisability of wearing compression stockings during pregnancy to help prevent development of vein disease.

The development of swelling in one leg can be a sign of something even more troubling: a deep vein thrombosis or DVT. In this situation, it is absolutely essential to see your doctor immediately, so that a diagnosis can be made, and treatment, if indicated, can be instituted.

Nutrition? YUCK!

Often declared a ridiculously healthy eater by my friends, eating healthy while pregnant poses a problem for me.  The foods I generally love no longer look appealing, and bread, cereal, pasta, and ice cream seem to be the perfect match, with fruit winning the award for the only healthy temptation.  My solution?  Make it drinkable, make it seem like a treat, make it incredibly tastey, and throw in all kinds of good stuff.  Here is how I maintain nutrition when I really want Blue Bell:

In a blender combine:
1/2 frozen banana
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup fresh spinach (you won't even taste it!)
1 T. ground flaxseed (you won't even taste it!)
8 ounces skim milk
1 scoop vanilla or chocolate protein powder (I strongly prefer Defense Nutrition proteins)
Blend and wah-lah!  Super yummy milkshake... packed with protein, tons of vitamins, healthy oils, calcium, and fiber. It does a pregnant body good (or any body for that matter!).  Even my two and four-year old kids drink it! 

First Trimester Pregnancy Workout

Are you one of the lucky ones that is not sick during the first trimester?  If so, this is a great time to regularly exercise, and there are very few exercises you cannot do!  Even this early, I suggest staying away from anything that requires you to jump with two feet (jump squats, jumping rope with two legs at once), and at 12 weeks you should stop lying flat on your back for any exerices.  Other than that, the most important thing is to never feel strain in your abdomen (so no heavy lifting) and to just listen to your body. If you feel stretching in the abdomen, light-headed, or any signs of nausea, stop for a moment and then return to a less intense exercise.