You asked

I'm worried about getting varicose veins. How can I avoid or treat them?

Varicose veins are not pretty, and they’re not fun. They can be itchy and painful, and they definitely don’t look good.

The trouble is, when you are pregnant, you have more blood than usual in your body. Your veins are working harder to transport that blood through your body, and your changed hormone levels and enlarged uterus aren’t doing them any favours.
Many pregnant women develop varicose veins, although there are a few ways you can help to prevent them.

Being fitted for compression hose is one, which will help your body to pump blood around your body more effectively. Sleeping on your left side, so that there’s less pressure on your vena cava can help, and you can also try vitamin C supplements.

As far as putting your feet up, the jury is out. Some doctors recommend it, while others say that a little moderate exercise can help get your blood flowing properly, and prevent pooling.

Even with all of these measures though, you may still find that you have developed varicose veins. In that case, laser surgery, or one of the other, newer vein treatments, should sort them out after your baby has arrived.
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