I noticed that during my pregnancy I developed spider veins. Is there a connection?

Spider veins are common during the latter stages of pregnancy. This is thought to be due to an increase in body weight and retention of fluids. The increased fluid retention leads to engorgement of veins and which causes pressure on the smaller branch veins. These small branch veins with thin walls become distended and frequently rupture.

During the last trimester of pregnancy, the fetus may put pressure on the leg veins by compressing the lower pelvis. For this reason it is highly recommended that pregnant females lie down on their left side to prevent the fetus from lying on top of the leg veins. Multiple pregnancies are often associated with numerous spider veins which rarely resolve.