How to prevent varicose veins and cramps in pregnancy

The final stretch of pregnancy brings with it a series of discomforts related to the weight that the pregnant woman has to bear. The main problems have to do with circulation. The last trimester is the time when there are more cramps in the legs and terrible varicose veins appear for the first time. Matron Rita Salvador, from Cummater, gives us some tips to prevent varicose veins and calm the typical cramps of this final phase of pregnancy.

How to prevent the appearance of varicose veins in pregnancy

Varicose veins appear because of, once again, the hormonal change that occurs during pregnancy. Varicose veins are nothing but veins that become inflamed and can be seen with the naked eye. They usually appear on the legs, although they can also occur on other parts of the body. But can we do anything to prevent them or calm their discomfort? The midwife Rita Salvador recommends us to give us showers of cold water from the hips to the ankles:

'Varicose veins can appear throughout the pregnancy, but it is true that at the end of the third trimester they may seem more annoying. The means that we can use to alleviate them, above all it may be advisable to wear compression stockings. Other methods that we can use, less effective but also useful, can be the use of cold water showers. When we finish the shower, we end up wetting our legs from the hips to the ankles.

And of course, the exercise that the pregnant woman does during the whole pregnancy, can also prevent the appearance of varicose veins and calm their discomfort if they have already appeared:

'The realization of exercises can also alleviate the discomfort of varicose veins, and above all Try to rest with your legs elevated. This will also relieve us if the woman suffers from edema or poor circulation in the legs. 'Varicose veins, however, are very difficult to eliminate if not with medical intervention. Currently, there are treatments for quick, simple varicose veins that do not require a long recovery.

The appearance of cramps during pregnancy

Another of the typical discomforts of the last trimester of pregnancy are cramps, especially located in the area of the twins.

'Cramps are also related to hormonal changes. Usually they usually appear in the area of the legs and the twins, so you have to try to stretch the area so that all the tension in the area of the twin, which is usually the most common area, is relieved.

According to midwife Rita Salvador, the best thing we can do when the cramps appear is to stretch the affected area and if it does not work, do some massage:

'When a woman suffers from cramps, what she can use is mainly doing stretching exercises , which is what will alleviate the most. For example, what would be the rotation of ankles will come very well for the relief of cramps and in the event that the woman suffers a cramp, should stretch the affected area. If the cramps are repeated, we can use different techniques, such as massage, with creams that are more comfortable. We can take advantage of stretching the muscles with small massages and stretches at the same time '.

Video on how to relieve cramps and varicose veins during pregnancy