Circulation & Breathing

Varicose Veins in Pregnancy

Enlarged leg veins that are common and usually harmless in pregnancy — but one hot, swollen, painful leg needs urgent checking.

⏱️ 6 min read🗓️ Updated 6 July 2026🤰 2nd · 3rd trimester✅ 5 sources🩺 Medical review pending

Written and fact-checked by the ParentVibes editorial team against WHO, NHS, ACOG and peer-reviewed guidance. Not yet reviewed by a named clinician.

Quick facts

When they appear: Often 2nd–3rd trimester
How common: Very common, especially from 2nd pregnancy on
Usual outcome: Often improve within months of birth
Main risk factor: Family history of varicose veins
See a doctor if: One leg is hot, swollen, red or very painful

Noticing bulging, blue or purple veins on your legs — or a heavy, aching feeling by the end of the day — is a common experience in pregnancy. Varicose veins can also appear around the vulva. They can look alarming, but for most people they're a cosmetic and comfort issue rather than a medical problem.

This guide explains why varicose veins happen in pregnancy, what genuinely helps, and the important exception: when leg symptoms could mean a blood clot rather than 'just' varicose veins, and need checking straight away.

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are veins, most often in the legs, that have become enlarged, twisted and swollen. Small valves inside veins normally stop blood flowing backwards as it's pushed up towards the heart; in pregnancy, hormonal changes relax the vein walls and valves, and pressure from your expanding womb on the large pelvic veins makes it harder for blood to return from the legs. Blood pools, and the veins bulge and become visible under the skin.

They commonly appear on the calves, backs of the knees or inner thighs, and can also develop around the vulva (vulval varicosities) or as haemorrhoids, which are varicose veins of the back passage. Varicose veins often first appear or worsen with each pregnancy, tend to get more noticeable as pregnancy progresses, and usually shrink — though not always completely — in the months after birth.

Not just cosmetic

Varicose veins can genuinely ache, throb, itch or feel heavy, particularly by the end of the day or after standing for a long time. That discomfort is real, even when the veins themselves aren't dangerous.

What causes varicose veins in pregnancy?

Varicose veins result from a mix of hormonal and mechanical changes that are a normal part of pregnancy.

Rising progesterone

Progesterone relaxes the smooth muscle in vein walls, making them more stretchy and less efficient at pushing blood back up towards the heart.

Increased blood volume

Your total blood volume rises substantially in pregnancy, which puts extra pressure through your veins, especially those working against gravity in your legs.

Pressure from the growing womb

As your womb enlarges, it presses on the large veins in your pelvis, slowing the return of blood from your legs and increasing pressure further down.

Standing or sitting for long periods

Being on your feet for long stretches, or sitting with your legs down for hours, lets blood pool in the lower legs and makes veins more prominent.

Family history

If close relatives have had varicose veins, you're more likely to develop them too, as vein wall strength and valve function run in families.

Later pregnancies and multiples

Varicose veins often become more noticeable with each pregnancy, and carrying twins or more increases pressure and blood volume further.

You may be more prone if…

This isn't your first pregnancy
You're expecting twins or more
You stand for long periods at work
You already had varicose veins before pregnancy

When varicose veins are normal

For most people, varicose veins are an uncomfortable but harmless part of pregnancy. These features are reassuring:

Veins are visible and may ache, throb or itch, but both legs are affected similarly.
Aching is worse by the end of the day or after standing, and eases with rest and leg elevation.
Mild ankle swelling that comes on gradually and improves overnight or with rest.
No redness, warmth, or firmness along the vein beyond mild tenderness.
Symptoms have developed gradually over weeks, not suddenly over hours.

	Usually normal varicose veins	Needs medical attention
Which leg	Both legs, similar pattern	One leg only — swollen, painful, different from the other
Skin	Normal colour, maybe visible blue/purple veins	Red, hot, shiny or discoloured skin over the area
Pain	Aching, heaviness, mild throbbing	Sudden, severe or worsening pain, especially in the calf
Onset	Gradual, over days to weeks	Sudden swelling or pain over hours

They often improve after birth

Many varicose veins shrink noticeably in the weeks to months after delivery as hormone levels and blood volume return to normal, though some remain and can be treated later if you wish.

Warning signs — get medical help now

Rarely, leg symptoms in pregnancy are a sign of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot that needs urgent treatment. Pregnancy itself increases clotting risk, so take one-sided leg symptoms seriously. Contact your doctor or midwife urgently, or go to your nearest emergency department, if you have:

Seek urgent medical care if you have

One leg (usually the calf or thigh) that is swollen, painful, red, warm or tender — especially if it looks different from the other leg.
Swelling that has come on suddenly or is getting rapidly worse.
Pain in your calf that worsens when you flex your foot upwards or when walking.
Sudden breathlessness, chest pain, a fast heartbeat, or coughing up blood — these can signal a clot that has travelled to the lungs (pulmonary embolism) and are a medical emergency.
A varicose vein that has started bleeding, or skin over a vein that has broken down or ulcerated.
A hard, hot, very tender lump along a vein with redness spreading over it (possible superficial vein clot).

Call your maternity unit or emergency services immediately for sudden breathlessness or chest pain — do not wait to see if it passes. If you ever notice reduced or absent baby movements, contact your maternity unit the same day.

One swollen leg is not 'just' varicose veins

Pregnancy raises the risk of blood clots. Any sudden, one-sided leg swelling, pain, redness or warmth needs prompt medical assessment to rule out DVT — it cannot be diagnosed by looking alone.

Self-care & home remedies

You can't always prevent varicose veins, but the following genuinely ease the ache and swelling for most people.

Move and rest well

Avoid standing or sitting still for long periods; take regular short walks.
When sitting, avoid crossing your legs and change position often.
Elevate your legs above hip level for short periods several times a day.
Take gentle regular exercise, such as walking or swimming, to keep circulation moving.

Compression stockings

Graduated compression stockings, put on first thing in the morning before swelling starts, support veins and reduce aching.
Ask your pharmacist or midwife to help you choose the right size and strength.
Wear them consistently through the day for the best effect.

Everyday habits

Avoid tight clothing, socks or waistbands that restrict blood flow at the groin or knee.
Choose flat or low-heeled shoes to help your calf muscles pump blood back up.
Try to maintain a healthy, steady weight gain, as extra weight adds pressure on your veins.
Sleep on your side rather than your back to reduce pressure on the large pelvic veins.

Vulval varicose veins

Varicose veins can also appear around the vulva, causing a heavy or aching feeling. Support underwear or a maternity support belt can help; mention this to your midwife so it can be noted for labour.

When to consult a doctor

Book a non-urgent chat with your doctor or midwife if:

Varicose veins are painful enough to affect your daily activities or sleep.
Self-care measures and compression stockings aren't easing the discomfort.
The skin over a varicose vein becomes itchy, dry, discoloured or thin.
You're worried about the appearance or want to discuss treatment options for after birth.
You have a personal or family history of blood clots and want advice on prevention in this pregnancy.

Keep track of your symptoms

Logging aches, swelling and how your legs feel day to day helps you and your midwife spot any changes early.

Open the Pregnancy Tracker

Frequently asked questions

Will my varicose veins go away after I give birth?

For many people, varicose veins shrink noticeably within a few months of delivery as hormone levels and blood volume settle. Some veins remain, and if they bother you, treatments are available later — but these aren't usually done during pregnancy.

Are varicose veins in pregnancy dangerous?

Usually not — they're typically uncomfortable rather than harmful. The important exception is a blood clot (DVT), which needs urgent care. If one leg becomes suddenly swollen, painful, red or warm, or feels different from the other, get checked promptly.

Can I prevent varicose veins in pregnancy?

You can't always prevent them, especially if they run in your family, but staying active, avoiding long periods of standing or sitting, elevating your legs and wearing compression stockings from early pregnancy can reduce how bad they get.

Are compression stockings safe in pregnancy?

Yes, graduated compression stockings are considered safe and are often recommended in pregnancy to support circulation and ease aching. Ask your midwife or pharmacist for the right size and compression level for you.

Can varicose veins affect labour or delivery?

Varicose veins, including vulval ones, don't usually prevent a vaginal birth, but it's worth mentioning them to your midwife so your care team is aware, particularly if they're extensive or near the vulva.

How do I know if leg pain is a varicose vein or something more serious?

Ordinary varicose vein discomfort tends to affect both legs, builds gradually, and eases with rest and elevation. Get checked urgently if only one leg is swollen, painful, red, warm or tender, or if the pain and swelling came on suddenly — these can be signs of a blood clot.

Your next steps

Track your pregnancy

Log symptoms week by week, get personalised tips, and see how your pregnancy is progressing.

Open Pregnancy Tracker

Pregnancy week-by-week

Follow your baby's growth and your body's changes from week 1 to 40 in plain language.

Explore the guide

Find a gynaecologist

Have a personal concern? Book with a trusted obstetrician or gynaecologist near you.

Find a doctor

Related pregnancy symptoms

Swollen Feet & Ankles Swelling (Oedema)Haemorrhoids (Piles)Leg Cramps Shortness of Breath

→ See all pregnancy symptoms A–Z

Helpful resources

Sources

Next review due: 6 January 2027.

Medical disclaimer

This page is general information about a common pregnancy symptom and does not replace personal medical advice. Every pregnancy is different. If you have severe pain, heavy bleeding, a bad headache with vision changes, reduced or absent baby movements, breathing difficulty, fever, or you feel something is seriously wrong, contact your doctor or midwife or go to your nearest emergency department straight away. When in doubt, always get checked — it is never a waste of anyone's time.

Read our Medical Disclaimer, Editorial Policy and Medical Review Policy.