Varicose veins in leg during pregnancy

[Isthisrealomgwow]

Went to midwife appointment today.

Mentioned about the varicose veins in my left leg, and have been referred to consultant as it increases the risk of clots.

Has anyone been in this situation?

Did you need treatment?
Did it add any complications to the birth/post natal?

I have other risk factors, age of 40 and high BMI.

Thanks

Yeah mine are horrific! Bulging and so ugly. Aside from that they were so painful for a fortnight around week 15 and I’m on blood thinner injections from around 26 weeks until 6 weeks post birth.

NHS won’t treat varicose veins (fix them) unless you’re in severe amounts of pain now but you can get it done privately post birth.

It heightens your risk of DVT hence the blood thinner injections but aside from that, they’re unsightly and something to deal with after baba is here ☺️

Oh no sorry you're in this situation! Sounds stressful. Hopefully the consultant won't be too concerned.

I went to my GP about mine in my right leg (I'm 20 weeks) and she said there isn't a higher risk of clotting with varicose veins in pregnancy...! I'm 39, bmi 21.

I wonder if I need a second opinion 😬

I'm worried about excessive bleeding during birth or c section, if I'm on the blood thinners.

@YellowZ my bmi is much higher than yours, sadly. Something I fully intend to tackle post birth. I'm very down on myself about the weight gain.

I was with my midwife, who phoned for a consultant appointment there and then, as my risk factor came back mid range for developing clots.

I also have awful SPD, which I had with my first full term pregnancy when I was much lighter. This makes it pretty impossible to exercise, as I'm in so much pain.

I'm 25 weeks.

@Isthisrealomgwow is it possible to stop the thinners shortly before giving birth? I wonder how long they take to leave your system. Did you bleed much with your first birth? I had a haemorrhage with DS.

Also the pain sounds grim, pregnancy is hard work!

I'm waiting for the consultant appointment at 28/9 weeks for a decision as to whether I need the thinners. Hopefully not. Although very nervous that I will need them.

I had 2nd trimester loses previously, and both needed surgical intervention. I lost a lot of blood, but not quite enough to require transfusion, thankfully.

@Isthisrealomgwow they ask you to stop taking them either as soon as you go into labour or 24 hours before a section.

With my trust, I hit 3 high risk factors which meant I needed immediate blood thinners - 35 or over, BMI over 30 and varicose veins. Might be different in your hospital though.