Pregnancy and varicose veins?

I have always had mild varicose vein on 1 leg (made worse by a horse kicking me there a couple of years back) but it was always more of a bruise look, with occasional raised bumps, now that I am pregnant it is huge!
I drink plenty of water and wear support hose, but is there anything else I can do?

My mom and her 2 sisters have one in the same spot...
I want to be able to were sundresses and skirts in the summer, but its so UGLY!

You may be able to prevent them or at least minimize them. Here are some tips:

鈥? Exercise daily. Even just a brisk walk around the block can help your circulation.

鈥? Strive to keep within the recommended weight range for your stage of pregnancy.

鈥? Elevate your feet and legs whenever possible. Use a stool or box to rest your legs on when you're sitting, and keep your feet elevated on a pillow when you're lying down. Don't cross your legs or ankles when sitting. Don't sit or stand for long periods without taking breaks to move around.

鈥? Sleep on your left side with your feet on a pillow. Wedge a pillow behind your back to keep yourself tilted to the left. Since the inferior vena cava is on the right side, lying on your left side relieves the vein of the weight of the uterus, thus decreasing pressure on the veins in your legs and feet.

鈥? Wear special support hose. Prescription-strength hose, known as graduated-compression stockings, work best and are available from medical supply stores and pharmacies. These stockings are twice as thick as normal pantyhose. Tight at the ankle, they get looser as they go up the leg, making it easier for blood to flow back up toward your heart. As a result, they help prevent swelling and may keep your varicose veins from getting worse. Put them on before getting out of bed in the morning, while you're still lying down, to prevent blood from pooling in your legs, and keep them on all day. These support hose may be bothersome, especially in hot weather, but bad varicose veins can be more uncomfortable

For more information visit
http://pregnancyguidelines.blogspot.com

unfortunately, there is nothing you can do about it. It's just a normal part of pregnancy and lots of women get them. If they still both you after the pregnancy, a vascular surgeon could remove them for you. Most of the time you have to pay out of pocket though.

Ask your doctor, but I was told to stay off my feet as much as possible, and elevate my legs whenever I could, and use a cold pack in a sock if I felt the need. I only got one varicose vein when I was pregnant with #2 and it was on the inside of my right thigh...My daughter is now 8 and I can hardly see where it was and it doesn't act up despite the fact that I've gained a considerable amount of weight...it's the pressure from the baby that makes it so noticable.

I was going to ask a simular question. I had my removed and now that I am pregnant, they have re appeared.I just noticed them today and they are unsightly.My doctor that removed them did tell me there was a high chance they'd re appear at this time...I drink lots of water and luckily I'm not working , standing for 8 hours!