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In addition to stretch marks, varicose veins are another unpleasant side effect of pregnancy.  Even more than stretch marks, varicose veins tend to run in families.  So, if you are, like me, unlucky enough to have a family history of varicose veins (both my mother and grandmother have suffered from them), then you are very likely to develop them as well.  First varicose veins tend to develop during pregnancy because of the increased pressure on legs, greater blood volume, and hormonal effects. 

According to my mother, she developed them in her early twenties, while she was pregnant with me (not that she was trying to make me feel guilty or anything!).  Being well aware of my high likelihood of developing them too, ever since my mid-twenties I have been vigilant at checking for any early signs, but never saw anything worthy of concern.  After I became pregnant, I finally started noticing some changes and more prominent darkening of a few small vein clusters on my legs.  When I showed them to my doctor, she confirmed that those are, indeed, varicose veins.

Since then, I have been doing a lot of research on how to prevent them from getting worse.  The good news is, it seems possible to be able to prevent varicose veins or at least minimize their appearance if you begin taking necessary measures early on.  The bad news is, they also tend to get worse with each subsequent pregnancy, so the earlier you start taking care of them, the better off you will be.

The best way to prevent or minimize varicose veins is by reducing pressure on your legs:

• Avoid gaining too much weight vs. your recommended range.  Not only will it be harder to lose afterwards, it will also put unnecessary pressure on your legs.
• Get some exercise, at least 30 minutes every day, to help circulation.  Even a simple walk can accomplish that.
• Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time.  If your job requires you to sit in front of the computer all day, get up and move around every 30 to 60 minutes.
• Elevate your legs to reduce blood flow to them.  If you are sitting, put your feet on a stool in front of you, and if you are lying down, raise them using a pillow.
• Don’t cross your legs when you are sitting down (this has been a tough habit for me to break!).
• Avoid tight clothing and high heels.
• Get enough vitamin C which helps keep veins healthy.
• Sleep on your left side to avoid increasing pressure on your leg veins.
• Wear support hose to relieve pressure on your veins.  I recommend Gabrialla Maternity Medium Compression Hosiery.  It was one of the first pregnancy items that I purchased (both the pantyhose and the knee-highs), and I find that it provides good support throughout the day while still being comfortable.  This hosiery also helps if your feet and ankles tend to get swollen.

If you do get varicose veins and they do not disappear within a few months after giving birth, there are surgical options such as laser treatment to get rid of them.  However, in that case it is probably wise to wait until you no longer plan to have children to avoid having to go through the entire process again during your next pregnancy.

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As we all know, the blessing of having a baby is often accompanied by physiological side effects, and the appearance of stretch marks is one of them.  Since I’m usually all for prevention, I have decided to do everything I can to at least minimize, if not completely prevent, any stretch marks during my pregnancy.  Here are a few things that I’ve learned:

What causes stretch marks:  Stretch marks are caused by the rapid expansion of skin due to weight gain (especially on our breasts, thighs, and tummy) during pregnancy, as well as the hormonal factors that can reduce the skin’s elasticity.  The propensity for stretch marks is also somewhat hereditary, so if your mother and grandmother had them, then you are likely to develop them as well. 

How to prevent stretch marks:  While there is little you can do to influence the above factors, the good news is that there are still a few solutions that can help minimize their appearance.

1. Hydration.  Keeping your skin hydrated is probably the best prevention strategy.  Lotions and creams containing Vitamin E are a great way to keep your skin hydrated and soothe itchiness during pregnancy, and you can find a wide selection of them at any drugstore.  There are also some targeted treatments specifically designed for stretch mark prevention; however, these tend to be more expensive.  It is one of the things that I have decided to splurge on, so I have been using Clarins Stretch Mark Contol cream and have been very happy with it so far: it is rich, but also fast-absorbing, so it keeps my belly skin soothed and hydrated throughout the day.
2. Massage.  You can help your skin’s elasticity by using gentle massage every day as you apply the hydrating cream or lotion recommended above.  Apply the cream or lotion with light, circular movements to your things, hips, abdomen and breasts.  This will help improve circulation and strengthen the skin by lightly stretching it so that it can become more resilient and expand more comfortably.
3. Diet.  Diet can have a great effect on your skin’s elasticity, so making sure that your eating habits are nutritionally sound and that your weight gain is gradual can also go a long way.

Hopefully, by following the suggestions above, we can all prevent or at least reduce the appearance of stretch marks.  And while most stretch marks will naturally fade somewhat after pregnancy, there are also other ways, including prescription creams such as Retin-A or laser treatments, that can help reduce their visibility.

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As any expectant mother can attest, physical discomfort is one of the major side effects of pregnancy.  The compounding effects of extra weight, rapid changes in our body, difficulty sleeping, and emotional stress as we get ready for the baby, can be a cause of sore muscles, tension, and aches.  Having just crossed the half-way mark of my pregnancy, I have been starting to feel all of those effects, both physical and emotional, so there couldn’t have been a better timing for getting my first pregnancy massage!

It just so happens that my mom had booked me for a session at the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa in San Francisco today.  She was getting a facial, and as a special gift to me, she offered to get me a massage at the same time.  (Since I’ve been trying to save money in anticipation of the baby’s arrival, I wouldn’t have splurged on something like this for myself, so thank you mom!)  We arrived at the Red Door at 10 am sharp for our appointments.  We were then immediately taken back to the changing room, where we put on our robes and slippers and were offered some tea and coffee (I opted for some herbal chamomile tea).  After less than a minute, my massage therapist Elvira invited me to a private massage room.

Once in the room, as I was looking at the liability waiver that I had to sign, I got a little nervous.  I asked Elvira about her experience with giving pregnancy massages, and she informed me that all of the massage therapists at the spa were certified in prenatal massage techniques, which put my mind at ease.  She then proceeded to show me the special pregnancy massage setup.  In essence, it consisted of a special padded form on top of a massage table, with openings for the breasts and the belly, as well as a round form to support the face.  As I placed myself on top of that setup, belly down, it actually felt very comfortable.  I couldn’t believe that I was lying on my stomach again - I’d already forgotten what that feels like!

With that, Elvira began to gently work on my back.  After a nice warm-up, she started working her way down one side from my shoulders to the lower back, and then back up the other side to the shoulders.  The massage was gentle, yet firm, and she was able to work on some of the stiff muscles in my shoulders, where I tend to carry a lot of my stress.  She then did my neck and the back of my head, before moving down to the legs.  She massaged the legs and feet, concentrating for a while on the calves, which felt wonderful.  With my back finished, Elvira removed the padding from the table so that I could lay flat on my back for a massage of the shoulders, arms, and the front of the legs.

Our fifty minutes were up quickly (I could have easily gone for another fifty!), but I could already feel totally different.  I no longer had any aches, tension or discomfort - my body felt as good as new, and mentally I felt relaxed.  Even if it hadn’t been a gift, this experience would have been totally worth it for me.  As mothers, we go through a lot in bringing a baby into the world, and I think that every pregnant woman deserves to do something nice for herself during this special time.  If you are pregnant, or know someone who is and want to give them a special gift, a prenatal massage is a treat that I would wholeheartedly recommend.