Umbilical varicose veins?

Umbilical varicose veins are a very common phenomenon. There are many reasons for umbilical varicose veins. If the fetus suffers from chronic hypoxia or the umbilical cord is squeezed, this situation will generally occur. Umbilical varicose veins can usually be detected by ultrasound. Umbilical varicose veins can easily cause malformations or anemia in the fetus, and may also cause premature birth. Therefore, it is very important for women to have prenatal check-ups during pregnancy.

Local dilatation of the umbilical vein is umbilical cord varicose vein. The most common disease is the intra-abdominal part of the umbilical vein between the anterior abdominal wall where the umbilical cord is attached and the liver. Intra-abdominal umbilical cord varicose veins may be an isolated ultrasound finding or may be associated with fetal abnormalities such as fetal malformations or anemia. Varicose veins in the umbilical cord may also be an early sign of hydrops fetalis.

A rare type of varicose vein in the umbilical cord is varicose vein in the umbilical cord that occurs outside the fetus.

Ultrasound findings

Ultrasound manifestations: Intra-abdominal umbilical cord varicose veins are characterized by dilation of the umbilical vein, which usually appears as a local cystic dilation of the umbilical vein extending distally or in a spherical shape from the umbilical cord attachment site. Color Doppler can be used to determine the vascular nature of this cystic dilation and to demonstrate its communication with the intrahepatic umbilical vein. Some patients have spindle-shaped umbilical varicose veins extending into the intrahepatic umbilical vein.

Umbilical varicose veins in the umbilical cord show local umbilical vein thickening, and color Doppler can show increased blood flow.

Varicose veins are preventable

1. If there is a genetic history, monitor it at any time

Varicose veins can be inherited to a certain extent. If there is a family history of varicose veins, expectant mothers should observe their lower limbs at any time to see if there are any signs of varicose veins, so as to detect and intervene early.

2. Don’t maintain a posture for a long time

Varicose veins are caused to a certain extent by maintaining a posture for a long time, such as sitting or standing for a long time. Especially for office workers, expectant mothers can change their working methods to avoid varicose veins. They can stand up and move around after sitting for an hour, and sit down to rest after standing for a long time. This can promote blood return, reduce long-term blood vessel congestion, and is very effective in preventing varicose veins.

3. Compression stockings

For expectant mothers who cannot rest and relax at any time due to work demands, you can prepare a pair of maternity elastic stockings that suit your size. This can reduce venous pressure and prevent varicose veins.

4. Raise your legs when resting

When expectant mothers sleep, they can place a pillow under their legs to promote venous blood return.

5. Exercise

Expectant mothers can help blood circulation by doing moderate and gentle exercise every day, such as taking a walk near home or in the park. They can also do some lower limb flexion and lifting exercises to regulate the effect of the calf muscle pump, increase the flow rate of venous blood, promote the return of venous blood in the lower limbs, and reduce venous pressure in the lower limbs.

Varicose veins are not as scary as you think

Varicose veins look uncomfortable, but they are not as scary as imagined. If it is only mild varicose veins, it will only make the expectant mother feel a little uncomfortable. If it is serious, the expectant mother will feel heavy and painful in the legs, and the skin around the varicose veins may also feel itchy, cramping or burning. Unless the expectant mother is so seriously ill that she cannot walk, she should go to the hospital for examination and treatment immediately.