4Real Forums: Veins & Pregnancy

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Topic: Veins & Pregnancy

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TracyFD
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Posted: Feb 08 2010 at 9:12pm \| IP Logged

I am feeling pretty embarrassed in asking about this

but my current OB doesn't seem to know much about what I am experiencing . . .

I don't have varicose veins in my legs, but in my pelvic region. I was diagnosed with "pelvic congestion" about five years ago and had an ovarian vein embolization two years ago. I am 32 weeks along with my fifth pregnancy and have felt for the last month that I might have vaginal varicosities. The pain "down there" worsens with each passing week.

I also get at least one painful thrombosed hemorrhoid each pregnancy and have one now. The first time it happened I went to a proctologist for surgical removal and have since learned it is better for me to wait for it to go away on it's own. I was on the sofa most of the day yesterday, in pain, but today am feeling much better.

I have poked around on the web for more info but there doesn't seem like much can be done other than to suffer courageously! I mean, there's the regular advice of "don't sit too long, don't stand too long, don't sit with your legs crossed, get some exercise" etc. but nothing really that I don't already know or do.

One possibility is to try compression hose - but I am wondering - would this help the pelvic area or just the legs?

Another avenue concerns the liver - that the blood in those lower veins have to pass back through the liver on the way to the heart and a clogged liver can cause a back-up. What tests would I ask for to check this out?

Any experience or advice on this topic?

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Tracy
Mom to 3 girly girls,
1 absent-minded professor, and one adorable toddling terrorist.
Pinewood Castle

JodieLyn
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Posted: Feb 08 2010 at 9:19pm \| IP Logged

advice on varicose veins anywhere in your body may be helpful.. including hemorrhoids.. like vit C and vit E promote normal healing and blood clotting.. and bioflavonoids help maintain strength of blood vessels.

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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4

All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott

TracyFD
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Posted: Feb 08 2010 at 9:28pm \| IP Logged

Let's see - I take Emergen-C every morning. My "Prenatal Forte" vitamin has 132 IU of Vitamin E (440%).

Bioflavoniods - we just polished off a case of oranges and a case of grapefruit and I do indulge in some organic dark chocolate

Would I need even more?

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Tracy
Mom to 3 girly girls,
1 absent-minded professor, and one adorable toddling terrorist.
Pinewood Castle

JodieLyn
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Posted: Feb 08 2010 at 9:36pm \| IP Logged

NF Formulas prenatal forte??? That's what I take too! You may be the only other person I've met who does

I usually use the book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" by Balch.. I can get it down and see what they say on amounts..

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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4

All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott

TracyFD
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Posted: Feb 08 2010 at 9:42pm \| IP Logged

Well, I got the tip on Prenatal Forte from this 4Real board - probably from you then !

Moms here always have the best advice . . .

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Tracy
Mom to 3 girly girls,
1 absent-minded professor, and one adorable toddling terrorist.
Pinewood Castle

JodieLyn
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Posted: Feb 08 2010 at 9:43pm \| IP Logged

ok it says
3000-6000mg vit C (pregnancy you want to limit that to under 4000mg)
bioflavonoid complex 100mg daily
rutin - 50mg 3 times a day (a non citris bioflavonoid that is specifically for blood vessel strength)
vit E - 400IU slowly increasing to 1000IU.. oh but it cautions not to take vit E during the last month of pregnancy (I believe my midwife disagrees with that)

witch hazel compresses can be soothing

Oh and don't forget to be getting enough water.. everything fuctions better when you're hydrated properly.

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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4

All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott

teachingmyown
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Posted: Feb 08 2010 at 10:02pm \| IP Logged

Compression hose will not help. You need a supporter made for that area. We have had threads on various types before. The one I used is called the V2 supporter. It didn't eliminate the problem, but made it much better.

If you do a search on V2, you will probably find the past thread(s). Good luck. I remember that pain. I don't miss it!

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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today

cvbmom
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Posted: Feb 09 2010 at 7:39am \| IP Logged

teachingmyown wrote:

I also use the V2 and it has helped.

God bless,
Christine

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Wife to dh - 18 years!
Mom to dd (16), ds (15), dd, (12), dd (11), ds (9), dd (8), dd (7), ds (5), dd (3), ds (2), and ds (1)

TracyFD
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Posted: Feb 09 2010 at 9:18am \| IP Logged

I am looking over the V2 link and wondering -

Is this worn just at night or all day?
It's $62 - did you get insurance to pay for it?

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Tracy
Mom to 3 girly girls,
1 absent-minded professor, and one adorable toddling terrorist.
Pinewood Castle

teachingmyown
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Posted: Feb 09 2010 at 9:22am \| IP Logged

All day. Paid for it myself. You could search around for a better price, though. Maybe even ebay? I am sure there are people who bought one and didn't use it and are looking to get some of the money back.

Or... I still have mine, I think, and you could borrow it. I wore on top of my compression hose, so it isn't quite "intimate" apparel!

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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today

TracyFD
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Posted: Feb 09 2010 at 9:31am \| IP Logged

Maybe this would be a good solution - saving me from calling the OB for a prescription, etc.

I could buy it from you or borrow and return - I will PM you with my address.

Thanks a bunch ladies!

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Tracy
Mom to 3 girly girls,
1 absent-minded professor, and one adorable toddling terrorist.
Pinewood Castle

greengables
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Posted: Feb 09 2010 at 11:13am \| IP Logged

This is a little off topic, but I am throwing it out here for your information. My personal experience is this: I was diagnosed with deep-vein thrombosis during my ninth pregnancy. The clot began in my iliac and left no blood flow to my left leg. This went undiagnosed for well over a week and required hospitalization for almost two weeks. Of course, I now have permanent damage to my veins in many areas.

Ever since pregnancy number four I have had blood clotting problems, but nothing major until pregnancy number nine. Anyway, what I found/find very interesting is that my discomfort with future pregnancies has been more tolerable than some of the previous pregnancies and I often think it is because I am required to be on blood thinners now for all future pregnancies. Of course I also wear the hose and at one time owned the V2 which also makes being up more comfortable.

I really do recommend the compression hose if you have any leg veins that are noticeable even if not uncomfortable yet. Any ob should be able to prescribe them. My recommendation is for the thigh highs not full panty hose. Also, is there a way a hematologist could do a blood study to find out if your blood is too thick?

I hope the v2 is a help to you. I will offer some prayers for you from someone who has been there and still is during cycles.

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Greengables - wife to best friend and mother to 11 blessings on earth

SuzanneG
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Posted: Feb 09 2010 at 3:26pm \| IP Logged

teachingmyown wrote:

I wore on top of my compression hose,

I read this thread and was just WATCHING for you, Molly!

Molly is my PREGNANT-WRAPPED-GODDESS!

I give her all credit for educating me on how to get ALL-WRAPPED-UP for a slightly less miserable pregnancy!

And, do y'all know about MicheleQ's link to that massive belly/back supporter???? THAT THING was equally amazing as my support hose!

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Suzanne in ID
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teachingmyown
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Posted: Feb 09 2010 at 3:37pm \| IP Logged

SuzanneG wrote:

teachingmyown wrote:

I wore on top of my compression hose,

I read this thread and was just WATCHING for you, Molly!

Molly is my PREGNANT-WRAPPED-GODDESS!

I give her all credit for educating me on how to get ALL-WRAPPED-UP for a slightly less miserable pregnancy!

Well, I have to be an expert at something! Pregnant-wrapped-goddess! I should put that on my resume!

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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today

cvbmom
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Posted: Feb 09 2010 at 3:37pm \| IP Logged

SuzanneG wrote:

And, do y'all know about MicheleQ's link to that massive belly/back supporter???? THAT THING was equally amazing as my support hose!

No, do share

God bless,
Christine

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Wife to dh - 18 years!
Mom to dd (16), ds (15), dd, (12), dd (11), ds (9), dd (8), dd (7), ds (5), dd (3), ds (2), and ds (1)

pmeilaen
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Posted: Feb 09 2010 at 8:48pm \| IP Logged

I had two emergency surgeries for hemorrhoids during my last pregnancy. After the birth I had other hemorrhoids removed by rubber band ligation (a good method in my opinion). Now I really watch my diet. I don't eat grains anymore, very few dairy products and stick to a modified Paleo/SCD/bloodtype diet. I rarely drink coffee or black tea, only green tea. I've discovered that fiber supplements only make things worse, but probiotics help. So I take a good probiotic (either Culturelle or products from FloraSmart), about 500 mg of magnesium a day and, leaving the best for last, bromelain! I take about 1200 mg daily. I haven't had any problems since.

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Eva

Nina Murphy
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Posted: Feb 10 2010 at 12:13am \| IP Logged

I didn't know about Molly's goddess status in this area....please someone link me, or help direct me. Seriously, this is a major issue for me. I have often feared asking advice about this topic because of its hmmmm delicate nature, but oh my is this an issue for me. And last 3 pregnancies I have not known WHAT to do...the OBs have no advice except compression hose, which does not go up high enough to work (almost 6 foot, here).

Arghhhh....I feel your pain, believe me. I am truly consoled by hearing some of you share your sufferings in this "area"....We are not alone!

I think it is, alas, mostly genetic.

No advice....just sympathy!

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~~Nina
mother of 9 on earth,
and 2 yet-to-be-met

MelissaClaire
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Posted: Jan 25 2011 at 10:49am \| IP Logged

Bumping this because I need some help.

I'm 28 weeks and this is the first time I've had varicose veins, but they are so painful. I have an appt to get measured for compression hose tomorrow, but if they're not in stock it could be up to a week before I can get them. (Thankfully insurance will cover them.)

The veins are all at my upper inner thigh and up my backside. The most painful on is where the thigh meets the backside so it makes any sitting uncomfortable. For those who have experienced that--do you think the hose will help? Also--I'm usually nauseated all pregnancy and anything tight on my belly makes it worse, so I'm concerned about the tightness. Anything I can do?

Also-is there anything I can be doing between now and when can I get the hose? Thanks for any input.

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Melissa
Mom to a dd ('02), ds ('03), ds ('05), dd ('07) and baby due 9/01/09

Nina Murphy
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Posted: Jan 25 2011 at 8:32pm \| IP Logged

Sorry to be posting when I have been incognito for so long, guys, but this showed up in my inbox and I just couldn't not respond to Melissa!

Melissa, I feel such sympathy for you. I have not been pregnant OFFICIALLY in a while---my longest space ever, egads, almost 3 years----but even now, my veins never let me forget them.

I was like you: I got so uncomfortable with the hose that I didn't wear them. (I am also VERY long-legged and they are so hard to fit properly.) I felt so terrible and sick as well, with anything around my waist. And nothing really seemed to relieve the main problems up in the pelvic area anyway. So I suffered through, and really just had to rest and elevate my legs a lot, and not carry heavy items....like purses, baby bags, or....children!

BUT----even though I went through 9 pregnancies and "survived" being undisciplined about the hose....I am now seeing as I age how weak my veins are. There IS cumulative damage for me personally, and if they are this bad now (and I'm only 42)....I suspect, I am in for quite a bit of external/superficial and maybe internal/deeper damage in the years to come. Not just ugly....but more and more painful. ;)

SO....maybe I should have compressed and "protected" them more. Who knows? It may have ended up this way regardless. But if I do conceive again and carry a 10th, I will force myself to wear them. I will have to.

Prayers and Support (No pun intended.) You are not alone. God bless you. And I hope you get relief.

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God bless,
~~Nina
mother of 9 on earth,
and 2 yet-to-be-met

greengables
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Posted: Jan 26 2011 at 7:51pm \| IP Logged

Hi MelissaClaire,

Yes, I really believe you will receive much comfort using compression hose. During pregnancies I use the 30 - 40 mmHg hose and when not with child during my cycles I use 20 - 30 mmHg. I am sure they will tell you this, but be sure to put them on first thing in the morning before you get out of bed or very soon thereafter - like immediately after a morning shower. They say that too much swelling can take place if you wait until you have been up a long time before you put them on. Oh, and I do not dry mine in a dryer. I just let them air dry. I think that does help keep them from aging as fast.

If you haven't already ordered them OR if you have then the next time you order, I suggest getting thigh high hose which will not confine your belly as compared to regular compression hose. I have been using them for about ten years now and am very grateful; it is also more convenient for accessing the restroom more easily!

Not wanting to get too personal, but by 'up my backside', did you mean your upper leg in the back or more like hemorrhoids? I ask because there is another type of support for that issue which might could be used in addition to the thigh highs. If you meant something else and need the full hose, then just ignore my suggestion of the thigh highs.

Sending some prayers your way,

Jill (Greengables)

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Greengables - wife to best friend and mother to 11 blessings on earth

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