Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that can be painful and unsightly. They are caused by a buildup of pressure in the veins, which can occur during pregnancy due to the increased blood volume and the pressure of the growing uterus on the pelvic veins. While varicose veins are not typically dangerous, they can be uncomfortable and may lead to more serious problems, such as blood clots.
There are a number of things that can be done to help avoid varicose veins during pregnancy, including: