Reversibility of pregnancy-induced changes in the superficial veins of the lower extremities

Objectives: To determine the change in long saphenous vein (LSV) area in early pregnancy and the reversal postpartum in comparison with non-pregnant control values. Methods: Ultrasonography was used to determine the LSV areas at four different levels in the right and left legs of women in an erect position. The measurements from 69 nulliparous women were used to determine the non-pregnant baseline measurements for vein area. The vein areas were similarly measured from 39 primigravida women in early pregnancy and postpartum. Results: There was no significant difference found between measurements obtained from the right and the left legs. Non-pregnant baseline measurements were less than either the early pregnancy, or postpartum measurements obtained from the primigravida women. Conclusions: Physiological changes associated with early pregnancy induce dilation of the LSV, and the reversal postpartum is not complete with vein areas statistically larger than in the non-pregnant state. (C) 2007 Royal Society of Medicine Press