My Legs Suddenly Hurt, Is Something Wrong?
During pregnancy, our bodies change in many ways. These changes can be visible months and even years later.
Whether you are currently pregnant, or if you had a child years ago, pregnancy can change your body and your veins.
Shifts in hormones and blood flow can put pressure on areas of our veins where there wasn’t pressure before. This is what can lead to varicose veins, spider veins, and even burst blood vessels during and after pregnancy.
However, what is normal and when is it time to talk to your doctor?
Normal changes during and after pregnancy:
- Skin pigmentation changes. In some women, the area around your nipples, skin on your inner thighs, genitals, and neck might darken due to hormonal changes. There might also be a dark line vertically down your mid-section from your belly button. These are all normal changes during pregnancy.
- Acne. Some women experience new and more frequent acne during and after pregnancy. As our bodies adjust to the new life growing inside, the hormones could cause an acne outbreak. Use oil-free products and wash regularly with a gentle cleaner.
- Veins. As our bodies grow during pregnancy, new pressure is placed on our veins. In some women, this leads to varicose veins – the bulging purple and blue clusters of veins – on our legs. It can also lead to spider veins across our hips and thighs. In many cases, the veins will diminish after pregnancy (generally up to a year later), but for some these new veins might be here to stay. If the new veins come with pain or you are concerned, talk to your doctor and having an ultrasound to map the veins and see if there are other health issues. Beebe Vascular offers free vein screenings and can work with you on a plan to reduce pain in your legs.
In some cases, pregnancy can cause more serious health issues such as blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, and bleeding. If you are experiencing any severe pain or swelling, talk to your doctor immediately.
Make an appointment: Call (302) 703-9300.