Ailments of Pregnancy

Pregnancy, while a joyful period, comes with various physical challenges that can affect a mother’s overall comfort and well-being. Common pregnancy ailments such as leg cramps, varicose veins, and swelling can create discomfort and anxiety if not managed properly. This article delves into these common conditions, their causes, symptoms, and strategies for prevention and management, empowering expectant mothers with the essential knowledge to navigate these changes effectively.

Leg Cramps/muscle cramps in pregnancy

Muscle cramps, sometimes called a Charlie horse, during pregnancy are one of the common discomforts experienced by approximately half of all expecting mothers.  The majority of muscle cramps during pregnancy occur in the lower extremities, particularly in the calves. A muscle cramp is an involuntary contraction of a muscle or group of muscles that happens abruptly and is most commonly experienced at night.

Muscle cramps and body aches during pregnancy may occur in any muscle or muscle group but is most commonly experienced in the legs. Muscle spasms that occur in the back or abdomen are also possible.

Features:

Involuntary contraction or tightening of a muscle

  • Usually sudden
  • Accompanied by sharp pain

Reasons:

  • Overuse (carrying the extra weight from pregnancy or exercise)
  • Dehydration
  • Change in blood flow or circulation
  • Lack of stretching before exercise
  • Nerve compression
  • Lack of minerals (potassium, calcium, or magnesium)

Prevention:

  • Drink lots of water and fluids to stay hydrated
  • Stretch your muscles well before exercise or extensive use
  • Eat well-balanced meals to get the nutrients and minerals you need
  • Take supplements that contains calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
  •  Eating foods that are high in potassium, such as kiwi, bananas, or cantaloupe.

Medical Emergency:

  • Extreme leg pain when you stand up
  • Severe, persistent or worsening leg cramps
  • Very swollen legs
  • Red spots that are warm to the touch
  • Enlarged veins in the legs

 

Varicose veins in pregnancy and other venous issues

varicose veins, which look like twisted, bulging ropes under your skin and can be itchy or painful, are the result of blood flow issues because of weakened vein valves, which is common during pregnancy.

Varicose veins should not be confused with spider veins, which are also common during pregnancy. Both conditions involve visible veins, but varicose veins are typically larger, have a twisted appearance, and are associated with discomfort and pain. Spider veins are smaller, resemble a web-like or branching pattern on the skin, and do not typically produce painful symptoms.

The reason why women are more likely to develop varicose veins during pregnancy is cumulative. Pregnancy adds strain to circulatory system in several ways.

First, blood volume increases during pregnancy. The blood coursing through body gradually expands as baby develops. Blood plasma experiences a substantial increase of 40-50%, accompanied by a 20-30% surge in red blood cell mass. As a result, veins find themselves tasked with transporting a notably larger blood volume.

Second, as baby develops, the growing weight exerts force on the inferior vena cava, a large vein responsible for collecting blood from the lower portion of your body and conveying it to your heart. The pressure placed on the inferior vena cava contributes to the expansion of veins in your legs.

And third, changes in hormonal levels during pregnancy can also play a role in developing varicose veins. Estrogen and Progesterone hormone also has the effect of compromising vein valves and relaxing vein walls.

The combination of these three changes during pregnancy results in a higher likelihood of blood flowing backward due to relaxed valves and veins undergoing more significant expansion than usual due to weakened and stretched vein walls, increasing risk of developing varicose veins.

Varicose veins can appear at any stage of pregnancy, but they usually don’t appear until the second trimester and tend to worsen as pregnancy advances. This occurs due to the increased pressure exerted by the growing uterus on the pelvic veins, disrupting the blood flow in the leg veins of expectant mothers.

Varicose veins are most likely to develop in the inner thigh and calf muscles, as these areas endure the most significant stress from standing and walking. However, varicose veins can occur anywhere on the legs. They can also appear in other regions of the body.

In women, they may manifest in the pelvic area and vulva, occasionally causing discomfort, especially during pregnancy. Additionally, varicose veins can develop in the rectal area, a condition recognized as haemorrhoids.

If you already have varicose or spider veins, the changes your body undergoes during pregnancy may make them worse and more painful. With each additional pregnancy, maintaining vein elasticity becomes more difficult. The continuous stretching of the veins disrupts the valve’s natural functioning, leading to improper blood flow.

Also, if you developed varicose veins with a previous pregnancy, there is a higher probability of new varicose veins forming or the ones you have worsening.

Aside from varicose veins, here are some common vein issues that can present during pregnancy:

Spider veins

These painless, web-like veins often surface during pregnancy. They appear due to increased pressure on your blood vessels, causing them to dilate. Hormonal changes can also play a role in their development.

Spider veins are usually no reason for concern, but their appearance can be bothersome for some expectant mothers.

Chronic venous insufficiency

Chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI, is a form of venous disease where your veins have issues moving blood back to the heart. This can happen in pregnancy because the growing uterus places pressure on pelvic veins.

CVI can result in swollen lower legs, itchy skin, and venous ulcers. It’s also responsible for the bulging appearance of veins.

Deep vein Thrombosis:

During pregnancy, the risk of developing DVT is higher. DVT is primarily linked to changes in your blood composition, especially as clotting factors increase, particularly as you approach delivery.

These blood clots are commonly found in the deep veins of your legs and can be a serious medical concern. The risk is highest in the first trimester and during the first six weeks following childbirth.

If you have varicose veins, watch for signs of DVT. While blood clots that occur in varicose veins are usually smaller and less dangerous, they can still be serious. If you think you may have a blood clot, seek immediate medical attention.

Haemorrhoids or Piles

Most people don’t realize it, but haemorrhoids are essentially a type of varicose vein that occurs explicitly in the rectal or anal area. During pregnancy, haemorrhoids are common for similar reasons that other varicose veins might develop.

Additionally, many expectant women grapple with constipation, which can contribute to the strain during bowel movements – a well-recognized factor in developing haemorrhoids.

Prominent Breast Veins:

prominent breast veins during pregnancy due to increased blood volume and a surge of pregnancy hormones. This is entirely normal, temporary, and nothing to worry about.

 

Swelling over feet or Pedal Oedema:

Swelling is caused because of increase blood volume and water in your body, the extra water tends to gather in the lowest part of the body. The pressure of growing womb also contributes to this. This causes fluid to build up in legs, ankles and feet.

Some preventative measures include:

  • Avoid prolonged standing and sitting
  • Sleep on your left side to take strain off the inferior vena cava vein
  • Keep your legs elevated as much as possible
  • Maintain a healthy diet
  • Implement a exercise regime to improve your blood circulation
  • Don’t wear high heels if possible
  • Wear compression stockings to help improve blood flow

Conclusion

Understanding and addressing common pregnancy ailments can greatly improve an expectant mother’s comfort and quality of life. By adopting preventive measures, maintaining a balanced diet, and consulting healthcare professionals when necessary, many of these discomforts can be managed effectively. It’s important to stay proactive and informed during pregnancy to support both maternal and fetal health, making the journey to motherhood as smooth as possible.