Pregnancy

Leg Health During Pregnancy

The hormonal impact

Pregnancy is a unique time for a woman’s body. The hormones released during pregnancy and the expanding child-bearing uterus can affect the expectant mother’s veins. Consequently, one out of three women experience common vein ailments such as heavy, tired, aching legs or swollen feet and ankles. Varicose veins may also develop, often appearing within the fourth month of pregnancy. Sometimes, varicose veins go away after the baby is born. Existing varicose veins tend to worsen during pregnancy.

These conditions occur for several reasons, including:

increase of blood volume;
loss of venous walls’ tonicity;
increasing pressure in the leg veins, caused by the position of the baby;
change of blood consistency, increasing the risk of blood clot formation.
The likelihood of pregnancy-related venous disorders are further increased if the following factors are present:

family history of venous disease;
pre-existing venous condition;
multiple pregnancies;
prolonged sitting or standing .

During pregnancy, spider veins and varicose veins may become painful, hot to the touch, and may take on a purple color. Cramps occur more often and are painful.

The risks of complications like phlebitis and trombophlebitis are increased. The most common complication is a venous thrombo-embolism.

see Venous disorders
Varicose vein during pregnancy

The benefits of compression during pregnancy

Wearing compression stockings during pregnancy prevents blood from pooling in the veins and reduces the increase of an elevated heart rate in both mother and child. Additionally, compression stockings may reduce the risk of varicose veins, phlebitis, and thrombosis. Compression therapy also alleviates many common symptoms such as swollen feet and ankles, or tired and achy legs.
When you discover the benefits and comfort of compression stockings during pregnancy, you may want to continue wearing them for years after, and your legs will thank you for their improved health!
Please consult your doctor about the benefits of compression therapy during pregnancy.

SIGVARIS® is known around the world for providing quality compression products that combine comfort with a fashionable design -- our broad selection of products match a wide array of lifestyles.

SIGVARIS Tips for Pregnant Women:

Avoid prolonged standing or sitting
Elevate your feet and legs periodically
Avoid prolonged exposure to hot temperatures (hot baths, saunas, sunbathing)
Stay active!!
Revitalize your legs with a cool shower or bath
Wear SIGVARIS medical compression stockings

SIGVARIS, LIFE FOR LEGS and the lig icon are registered trademarks of Ganzoni & Cie AG, St.Gallen/Switzerland in many countries worldwide

Copyright © 2007

Leg Health During Pregnancy
The hormonal impact
Pregnancy is a unique time for a woman’s body. The hormones released during pregnancy and the expanding child-bearing uterus can affect the expectant mother’s veins. Consequently, one out of three women experience common vein ailments such as heavy, tired, aching legs or swollen feet and ankles. Varicose veins may also develop, often appearing within the fourth month of pregnancy. Sometimes, varicose veins go away after the baby is born. Existing varicose veins tend to worsen during pregnancy. These conditions occur for several reasons, including: increase of blood volume; loss of venous walls’ tonicity; increasing pressure in the leg veins, caused by the position of the baby; change of blood consistency, increasing the risk of blood clot formation. The likelihood of pregnancy-related venous disorders are further increased if the following factors are present: family history of venous disease; pre-existing venous condition; multiple pregnancies; prolonged sitting or standing .


During pregnancy, spider veins and varicose veins may become painful, hot to the touch, and may take on a purple color. Cramps occur more often and are painful. The risks of complications like phlebitis and trombophlebitis are increased. The most common complication is a venous thrombo-embolism. see Venous disorders		Varicose vein during pregnancy
The benefits of compression during pregnancy
Wearing compression stockings during pregnancy prevents blood from pooling in the veins and reduces the increase of an elevated heart rate in both mother and child. Additionally, compression stockings may reduce the risk of varicose veins, phlebitis, and thrombosis. Compression therapy also alleviates many common symptoms such as swollen feet and ankles, or tired and achy legs. When you discover the benefits and comfort of compression stockings during pregnancy, you may want to continue wearing them for years after, and your legs will thank you for their improved health! Please consult your doctor about the benefits of compression therapy during pregnancy. SIGVARIS® is known around the world for providing quality compression products that combine comfort with a fashionable design -- our broad selection of products match a wide array of lifestyles.

	SIGVARIS Tips for Pregnant Women: Avoid prolonged standing or sitting Elevate your feet and legs periodically Avoid prolonged exposure to hot temperatures (hot baths, saunas, sunbathing) Stay active!! Revitalize your legs with a cool shower or bath Wear SIGVARIS medical compression stockings


SIGVARIS, LIFE FOR LEGS and the lig icon are registered trademarks of Ganzoni & Cie AG, St.Gallen/Switzerland in many countries worldwide Copyright © 2007