Medically reviewed by Mohamed T. Hassan, MD, DABVLM, RPVI, on July 8, 2025
Pregnancy brings significant changes, both physically and emotionally, in ways you may (or might not!) expect. During pregnancy, your body works overtime to grow and support a new life, but those changes can also take a toll on your veins.
This combination of hormonal, physical, and circulatory changes increases the risk of developing venous insufficiency, a condition in which vein valves weaken, allowing blood to flow backward instead of upward.
If you're pregnant, or recently gave birth, and you're noticing new varicose veins, leg swelling, or pressure in your pelvis, you're not alone. And that’s where Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) comes in.
With advanced, minimally invasive treatments and over 110 convenient locations nationwide, CVR can help you feel better, faster.
To learn more about the effects of pregnancy on vein health, we consulted with Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) vein expert, Dr. Mohamed T. Hassan. He is the lead physician at CVR vein clinics in Hoover, Alabama, and Trussville, Alabama.
✅To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hassan in Hoover, Alabama, CLICK HERE.
✅To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hassan in Trussville, Alabama, CLICK HERE.
✅ Don’t live near Trussville or Hoover, Alabama? Call 240-965-3915 to speak with a helpful Patient Services Representative or schedule your consultation online at one of our 110+ CVR vein clinics near you.
During pregnancy, your body goes through major changes to support your growing baby, including a sharp increase in blood volume (up to 50 percent) and a surge in hormones that relax blood vessel walls. These changes make it harder for veins, especially in your legs and pelvis, to push blood back up to your heart. As your uterus expands, it puts direct pressure on the veins in your pelvis, which slows blood flow even more.
The result?
Blood begins to pool in the lower body, leading to the development of varicose veins, spider veins, swelling, heaviness, and sometimes pelvic pain or pressure.
According to Dr. Hassan:
“As your uterus expands, it presses directly on the veins in your pelvis. This pressure slows blood flow even more, causing blood to pool in the lower legs and pelvic region. The result? Varicose veins, spider veins, swelling, heaviness, and sometimes pain or pressure in the pelvis.”
These symptoms can start mild but often get worse as the pregnancy progresses, especially if you're carrying multiples, have a history of vein issues, or gain significant weight. This combination of hormonal, physical, and circulatory changes increases the risk of developing venous insufficiency, a condition in which vein valves weaken, allowing blood to flow backward instead of upward.
Vein problems are common in pregnancy, and while many go away after delivery, some don’t. Knowing what to look for and when to see a Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) vein specialist can help you stay healthy and comfortable during and after pregnancy.
Schedule your vein health consultation today at CVR, America’s largest and leading vein physician-led vein center. Our expert vein doctors understand the unique challenges moms face and offer safe, personalized care before and after pregnancy.
Call 240-965-3915 to speak with a Patient Services Representative or schedule your consultation online at a CVR near you today.
A study reported by the National Library of Medicine (PubMedCentral) looked at over 500 women and found that the more pregnancies a woman has, the more likely she is to develop problems in the veins of her pelvis and abdomen, especially the ovarian veins. These changes, including enlarged veins and poor blood flow (known as "reflux"), can lead to persistent pelvic pain and increase the risk of developing varicose veins in the legs.
In a study called “Comprehensive overview of the venous disorder known as pelvic congestion syndrome,” reported by the NIH, after two or more pregnancies, the risk of pelvic vein problems rises sharply, with nearly 90 percent of women showing signs of vein dysfunction. While many of these changes are linked to the physical strain of pregnancy, some women may also have underlying vein abnormalities that make them more vulnerable.
Let the vein experts at Center for Vein Restoration help you find lasting relief, starting with a painless ultrasound and a personalized treatment plan. Insurance is accepted!
📞 Call CVR at 240-965-3915
📅 Or book online HERE
In many cases, yes, especially after a first pregnancy. According to a 2022 review in the New England Society of Vascular Surgery, 20–40 percent of women who develop varicose veins during pregnancy have complete or partial improvement after childbirth.
Studies also show that up to 67 percent of women continue to experience vein symptoms after giving birth, especially if they’ve had multiple pregnancies. Each pregnancy adds cumulative strain on the veins, sometimes leading to lasting damage to the vein valves, which doctors call chronic venous insufficiency.
You're more likely to have lasting vein problems if you:
If you fall into any of these categories, it’s important to monitor your symptoms even after delivery.
If your legs didn’t feel better after delivery, you’re not alone. REMEMBER: You don’t have to live with the discomfort of vein disease!
Whether you're dealing with leg pain, swelling, visible veins, or lingering pelvic pressure, our compassionate vein specialists at Center for Vein Restoration are here to help. We understand how demanding life can be with a new baby, and we’ll work with you to find safe and effective treatment options that fit your schedule and help you get back to feeling your best.
Book a consultation today and take the first step toward relief and recovery!
📞 Call Center for Vein Restoration at 240-965-3915
📅 Or book online HERE
Treatment during pregnancy is usually conservative to protect both mother and baby. These strategies can help reduce discomfort and slow the progression of vein disease:
These steps won’t cure varicose veins, but they can help you feel better and may prevent your symptoms from worsening.
If your vein symptoms continue two to three months after giving birth, it’s time to get evaluated by a vein doctor. A non-invasive venous duplex ultrasound can determine if you have venous reflux, which means blood is flowing backward in your veins instead of toward your heart. This is a sign of vein disease (venous insufficiency).
Once you’re at least six months postpartum and no longer breastfeeding, your vein doctor may recommend treatment options that are performed in-office, typically take less than an hour, and have little to no downtime. Patients are allowed to drive themselves home after treatment.
If you're pregnant or recently had a baby and struggling with leg pain, swelling, or visible veins, you're not alone, and you don’t have to wait to get relief. Our board-certified vein specialists understand the unique changes that happen during and after pregnancy and are here to help you feel like yourself again.
With over 110 locations nationwide, Center for Vein Restoration is the largest physician-led vein center in the country. We offer state-of-the-art diagnostics, personalized care plans, and the latest in minimally invasive outpatient treatments to restore your vein health and your confidence.
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