A question for skippy or anyone else that knows about

Skippy I know you have had problems with varicose veins this pregnancy and I was just wondering what they actually look like? I already have spidery veins on the back of my legs but last night I discovered a huge vain on the side of my leg just below my knee. It is sticking right and has lumps bulging in it. I have a few other veins that have gotten bigger but are not bulging yet.

Is this a varicose vein? What can I do to help with them if it is? I still have another 20 weeks left before bubby is born so I assuming it will get worse. I think I read before you can wear special stockings? Do they help? Should I go and buy some or see my doctor first?

Just after a bit of advice, from anyone that can help really smile. TIA smile

Hi, yes they sound like they could be varicose veins. I had them every pregnancy and they suck lol. Common in pregnancy, something to do with the pregnancy hormones relaxing everything, including the one way valves in the veins so they pool up with blood and bulge (or something along those lines lol) that added with the extra weight and pressure round your pelvis puts more pressure on them so they tend to get worse as you get further along.

Pressure stockings definitely help, you are meant to put them on after you have been lying with your legs elevated for a while, & they are quite hard to put on as they are so tight (& even harder when you are hugely pregnant) so might need some help to get them on. But they do help in terms of making you feel alot more comfortable, especially when they start throbbing and stinging as soon as you stand up and they start to pool. You can buy them from chemists and also online, quite expensive (I think around $80 roughly) not sure exactly my mum bought me mine.

The things we go through hey lol

Thanks Skippy and life is grand. Really apreciate the info you have given me. My legs have been aching a fair bit but it was only last night that I noticed I had these huge bulgey lumps. I have an appointment with my OB on Thursday, would he be any good to to him about them or is a gp better. I might mention it to him on Thursday.

SO sorry to hear about your veins Skippy, I didn't get any last pregnancy so I should of assumed they where coming. As for the price of the stockings, it will probably cost me about $600 as my legs are so fat laugh

Thanks for the advice ladies. smile

Yeah Drs don't seem to sympathetic, none that I saw anyway. It was "yeah they're common in pregnancy, if they bother you then you can buy stockings". Lol gee thanks Dr Compassion!!!