Varicose veins are swollen veins which are usually found in the legs but occasionally appear around the vulva (the area around the opening to your vagina). They are swollen superficial veins (veins that lie just under your skin) that look lumpy and dark blue or purple through your skin. Varicose veins are thought to occur if your vein walls are weak. This may happen during pregnancy because you have more blood in your body, more pressure in your leg veins due to the growing womb and higher hormone levels which relax the muscular walls of your blood vessels. Varicose veins are very common during pregnancy. Compression stockings may help with the symptoms, including night cramps, numbness, tingling and aching.
Attribution: BUPA