Blood circulation problems during pregnancy

Why during pregnancy do we have poor blood circulation, and ultimately more circulatory problems?Are there women more at risk than others?When to consult?How to fight traffic problems when pregnant?We take stock.

Why do we have poor pregnant blood circulation?

Under the influence of progesterone, hormone secreted during pregnancy, the veins expand, become more fragile and less elastic.In addition, to allow the growth of the placenta and the fetus, the blood mass increases 40 %.Result, our veins find it much more difficult to bring the blood back to the heart, and the pressure at their level increases.

The phenomenon is aggravated by the fact that the vessels of the small basin, in particular the lower vein, are more and more compressed by the volume of the uterus, especially in the third trimester.Ultimately, blood circulation in the lower part of our body (legs, but also the vulvar and anal region) is struggling to establish itself correctly.

Who are the most risky people?

Some factors accelerate the mechanism.First, heredity, but also future mothers already subject to venous insufficiency and poor blood circulation before being pregnant.Standing or extended sitting for long periods then.Multiple pregnancies are also a risk factor, since the risk is 23 % during the first pregnancy and increases to 31 % in the fourth pregnancy.Too much weight gain and a lack of physical activity does not help the business.

Pain, heavy legs: what are the symptoms?

In the first stage, the most frequent symptom is above all the feeling of heavy legs, cramps, tingling, or impatience (unpleasant sensations in the legs, causing an immediate need to move).After a sitting day or to trample, the feet are very swollen.We are talking about edema.It is unpleasant, uncomfortable but not disturbing, unless the swelling persists after a night of rest.In this case, it can be the sign of a kidney problem, and then you have to talk to your doctor about it.

When the dilation of the veins intensifies and the small valves located on their wall no longer work well, the blood accumulates and varicose veins may appear, sometimes from the first trimester.We perceive them, because the veins form at their level a blue or purple mass a little winding under the skin.These varicose veins generally sit on the legs, but they can also appear in the vulva (vulvary varicose vein) or anus (hemorrhoids).

A rarer but also more serious complication: phlebitis, or venous thrombosis.It is the formation of a blood clot in a vein, most often at the level of the lower limbs, settling in a deep (deep phlebitis) or superficial (superficial or paraphlebitis phlebitis) vein).Phlebitis can itself generate pulmonary embolism if the coillot migrates to the lung via blood circulation.So do not take it lightly, and consult a doctor very quickly.

Pregnant, how to recognize phlebitis?

Phlebitis is characterized by a sudden appearance pain, in the leg.This will swell in a more or less significant way (edema) depending on if the phlebitis is deep or superficial.Pain is associated with a feeling of heaviness, and a redness if the clot is located in a superficial vein.The skin is hot to the touch, and fever may appear.Pregnant faced with this type of symptoms, it is better to consult without delay, during the day, to avoid serious complications.

Pregnant, how to improve circulation and avoid phlebitis?

We avoid standing or sitting for too long!To maintain good circulation in the legs, we exercise every day.Walking (30 minutes a day minimum), aquagym or swimming are excellent.

We eat balanced to avoid too much weight gain and we fight against constipation which aggravates hemorrhoids.On the menu: 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day and a diet rich in fibers (fruits, vegetables and cereals) for transit.

No too tight clothes or socks that cut traffic.Heat sources such as floor heating, hot wax hair removal, sun exposure, sauna or hammam, and high temperature baths are to be avoided.On the contrary, we finish its shower with a jet of cold water on your legs, or, on the occasion, you walk by the water to activate the circulation and promote venous return.

At home, you raise your mattress about 10 cm and have the calves from bottom to the top by the future daddy is massaged.Content bases or compression socks (reimbursed on prescription) can be very useful, especially if you plan to stay still for several hours (car trip or plane).Moms who have important disorders will have to wear them up to four months after childbirth and go from the compression sock at the beginning of pregnancy at the bottom, then to the compression tights during the last quarter.

During the day, as soon as possible, we try to put our legs at rest, on a cushion for example.When we lie down, we go to bed on the side opposite to that of the Varice.Want to pamper yourself?We offer ourselves a “heavy legs” treatment in the institute, or physiotherapy sessions.Finally, we swap your stilettos and spartans for shoes with small heels (3 cm), more comfortable for the veins.

Phyto, homeopathy: how to relieve heavy legs naturally?

In homeopathy, the typical prescription for pregnant women who suffer from traffic problems and heavy legs generally includes Hamamelis Virginiana and Aesculushipastanum (India Marronnier).Note that there are mixtures of granules specially designed for problems of venous traffic and heavy legs.

But concerning the phenomenon of heavy legs and more broadly venous insufficiency, it is phytotherapy that is particularly indicated.We can notably turn to herbal teas stamped "light legs" or "traffic", made of veinotonic plants such as the red vine, the little holroe, the brown maker, the hammelis or the ginkgo biloba.

Note that there are also interesting sprays and gels in paraphas and gels to obtain an immediate “freshness” effect in the event of heavy legs.The ideal being to take advantage of it to massage the legs of the ankles at the top of the thigh.We can also opt for food supplements based on veinotonic plants, verifying that they are compatible with pregnancy.By keeping in mind, however, that these natural remedies do not replace the heavy anti-leg advice above and the port of compression stockings, whose efficiency is proven.

Venous insufficiency: what veinotonic during pregnancy?

If the venous insufficiency is proven and advanced, the obstetrician gynecologist or the midwife who follows pregnancy can pass the relay to a phlebologist.It will then be a question of prescribing veinotonic drugs compatible with pregnancy, in addition to the port of category 2 or 3 compression stockings.

According to the website of the reference center on teratogenic agents (Crat), it is the following phlebotonic molecules which will have to be used preferentially during pregnancy and breastfeeding, to avoid any risk for the baby:

Recall that these drugs should only be taken on medical advice, and that self -medication is strongly discouraged during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

On video: heavy legs during the Gantois Adrien pregnancy

Do circulatory problems persist after pregnancy?

Fortunately, these venous problems spontaneously disappear three months after childbirth.One exception, however: preexisting varicose veins in pregnancy which tend to worsen.In the meantime, our doctor will be able to prescribe creams to apply on our legs, or a veinotonic treatment (not reimbursed).

Hemorrhoids that are too large or very painful sometimes require a small surgical intervention which makes it possible to release the excess of accumulated blood.Sclerotherapy is contraindicated during pregnancy (except in case of very annoying and painful vulvar varicose veins), as well as during breastfeeding.Three months after childbirth, mothers who wish can benefit from a venous assessment and care of their varicose veins.