leg crossing

AubreyK80 · Dec 15th, 2008, 13:28 PM

Is it true you shouldnt do that while you are pregnant ?? Its so hard because im at a desk all day at work ... But if its that bad i need to stop and break the habbit .

ajarvis · Dec 15th, 2008, 14:22 PM

I belive the reasoning behind that is it can lead to varicose veins - which can always be more at risk for when crossing your legs, but because you get varicose veins easier in pregnancy anyways it's a good idea to avoid doing it.

kaylynn040485 · Dec 15th, 2008, 15:16 PM

My MIL keeps saying this to me but didnt know why either. Im the same too, at a desk quite a bit and its such a hard habit to break!lol

Not got any answers sorry, but will be interesting to see what suggestions prople have for being the reason! That prob quite on the mark about vari veins though, sounds right!

massacubano · Dec 15th, 2008, 16:42 PM

I really can not do it comfortably! so if needed I cross the ankles to be a lady

Sovereign · Dec 15th, 2008, 17:38 PM

My mw told me not to do it cos it makes your pelvis tilt and can make your back ache worse.x

Ravelyn · Dec 16th, 2008, 00:19 AM

Here's a long posting I found on the below website.
http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.co...cy_week_11.htm

Pregnancy Health TipsSome pregnant women may also develop varicose veins in places other than their legs. The increased blood volume during pregnancy and the weight of the growing uterus can increase the pressure in the tiny veins in the vagina or vulva and around the rectum. When the blood vessels in the vulva dilate they are called vulvar varicosities and when the blood vessels around the rectum dilate they are called hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids during pregnancy are usually associated with pain, itching and bleeding. The dilated blood vessels associated with hemorrhoids can even stick out of the rectum causing significant discomfort. Fortunately most over-the-counter creams and suppositories will make the discomfort from hemorrhoids more bearable. Tronolane Anesthetic Hemorrhoid Cream relieves pain and itching immediately.

There is actually a new anti-inflammatory anesthetic available via prescription that may help alleviate much of the hemorrhoid pain you experience during pregnancy. It is from Kenwood therapeutics and is called AnaMantle HC. Many women have found that it provides immediate relief of their pain. One of the reasons for this is it contains Lidocaine which numbs the hemorrhoids on contact. Because this medication is prescription only, you should consult with your physician to see if it might be indicated in your particular situation. Your physician might recommend this or a similar product to provide you with relief from the pain and swelling associated with hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids during pregnancy usually will become more bothersome as your pregnancy progresses. With straining during delivery the hemorrhoids may enlarge and cause significant discomfort. After delivery sitz baths, tucks pads, Anusol suppositories and Lidocaine topical anesthetic may offer great relief. The good news is that most hemorrhoids will regress and go away shortly after the baby is born.

Vulvar varicosities can be quite painful as the labial lips become swollen and stretched from the engorged blood vessels. The labial tissue may actually swell to the size of a softball. Don't fret, after delivery with the reduced pressure in the pelvis and a good old fashion ice pack the swelling and the pain subside.

The good news is most women will realize an improvement in their symptoms a short time after they deliver. There are a number of factors that will influence your susceptibility to varicose veins, including your family history and the amount of weight you gain during pregnancy.

Can you do anything to stop varicose veins from forming? While there are no guarantees, there are several things you can do to minimize the effects of varicose veins and minimize your discomfort. One thing you should consider is investing in a pair of maternity pantyhose support stockings. Medical grade support stockings are a superb method for maintaining adequate circulation in the legs and helping to prevent varicose veins. You may find they also minimize pain associated with pre-existing varicosities, and prevent your condition from worsening. Support hose should be put on first thing in the morning, before you get up out of bed. This will also help prevent excessive edema or swelling in your legs during the day.

Exercise is also critical during pregnancy to help prevent varicose veins. The longer you stand still for periods of time, the more likely blood is to pool in your legs causing problems. If you have a job that requires you to sit or stand a lot, be sure to go for short walks during your breaks to help promote circulation. Try to get some form of exercise each and every day, even if you are sitting at your desk doing stretches. Pumping your toes and calf muscles can help improve your circulation and minimize blood pooling in the legs. You'll also find that exercise boosts your spirits, and for that reason alone is invaluable during pregnancy.

Another thing you can do to help minimize varicosities is elevate your legs whenever you are sitting or laying. If you are home prop your feet up. You should also avoid crossing your legs, which can help blood pool in the legs. When sitting at your desk, be sure to find something to kick your legs up on. Don't forget to get up and walk around periodically to keep the blood circulating in your system.

Most of the time varicose veins during pregnancy are nothing to worry about. Most women simply don't like the appearance of them. However there are a small number of people who are at risk for developing blood clots in the veins. Signs of a clot may include a hard, painful or red lump near the surface of your skin, or a swollen leg or calf. If the blood clot is superficial, meaning it is close to the surface of the leg, it is not dangerous. Your physician may just ask you to use support stockings, warm compresses and rest with your feet elevated. If there is suspicion of a blood clot in the large deep veins of the leg your physician will order an ultrasound Doppler study of the leg. If a blood clot is found in the deep veins of your leg it is called a DVT or deep venous thrombosis.

A blood clot in the deep veins of the leg can become a very serious and life threatening condition. If it breaks away from the vein and travels to the lungs it is a condition referred to as a pulmonary embolism. This condition is very rare, so don't be overly concerned about this, but talk with your doctor to discuss whether or not you may have any risk factors for this condition. Chances are they will be able to put your mind at ease and offer you practical suggestions to overcome any fear or discomfort you are experiencing.

If you find that the varicose veins in your legs do not fade after pregnancy, fortunately there are a number of new varicose vein treatments available to treat them. Some of them are more invasive than others. Less invasive procedures include scleropathy, which may help improve the appearance of small varicosities and spider veins in the leg. The scleropathy procedure involves the injection of a chemical solution into the unwanted blood vessel which causes irritation and sticking together of the vessels walls. This leads to fibrosis of the vessel, making it unable to carry blood and no longer visible in the skin. For larger veins your healthcare provider might recommend a mini-stripping or some form of laser therapy. Be sure you consult with a physician if you have varicose veins that continue to be painful or uncomfortable several weeks after giving birth.

porkpie1981 · Dec 16th, 2008, 01:16 AM

My granny always slaps my legs for doing this

Logiebear · Dec 16th, 2008, 03:18 AM

In other words it's bad for the circulation in your legs, that's all. It restricts it quite badly so can increase your varicose veins. But it doesn't make them and if you are comfy then it does no more harm than that

MamaK · Dec 16th, 2008, 03:21 AM

Yes this is a bad habit of mine too.... everytime I cross them I keep thinking, 'Do I want to give myself varicose veins?' and then I stop it

xxx

Dec 15th, 2008, 13:28 PM	#1
AubreyK80 Other BnB Addict Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 2,672	leg crossing Is it true you shouldnt do that while you are pregnant ?? Its so hard because im at a desk all day at work ... But if its that bad i need to stop and break the habbit .

Status: Offline

Dec 15th, 2008, 14:22 PM	#2
ajarvis Pregnant (Expecting) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Calgary Posts: 2,301	I belive the reasoning behind that is it can lead to varicose veins - which can always be more at risk for when crossing your legs, but because you get varicose veins easier in pregnancy anyways it's a good idea to avoid doing it.

Status: Offline

Dec 15th, 2008, 15:16 PM	#3
kaylynn040485 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Glasgow Posts: 4,875	My MIL keeps saying this to me but didnt know why either. Im the same too, at a desk quite a bit and its such a hard habit to break!lol Not got any answers sorry, but will be interesting to see what suggestions prople have for being the reason! That prob quite on the mark about vari veins though, sounds right!

Status: Offline

Dec 15th, 2008, 16:42 PM	#4
massacubano Other Inactive Join Date: Oct 2008	I really can not do it comfortably! so if needed I cross the ankles to be a lady
massacubano Other Inactive Join Date: Oct 2008
Status: Offline

Dec 15th, 2008, 17:38 PM	#5
Sovereign Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: May 2008 Location: Manchester Posts: 6,907	My mw told me not to do it cos it makes your pelvis tilt and can make your back ache worse.x

Status: Offline

Dec 16th, 2008, 00:19 AM	#6
Ravelyn Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mississauga, Ontario Canada Posts: 892	Here's a long posting I found on the below website. http://www.womenshealthcaretopics.co...cy_week_11.htm Pregnancy Health TipsSome pregnant women may also develop varicose veins in places other than their legs. The increased blood volume during pregnancy and the weight of the growing uterus can increase the pressure in the tiny veins in the vagina or vulva and around the rectum. When the blood vessels in the vulva dilate they are called vulvar varicosities and when the blood vessels around the rectum dilate they are called hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids during pregnancy are usually associated with pain, itching and bleeding. The dilated blood vessels associated with hemorrhoids can even stick out of the rectum causing significant discomfort. Fortunately most over-the-counter creams and suppositories will make the discomfort from hemorrhoids more bearable. Tronolane Anesthetic Hemorrhoid Cream relieves pain and itching immediately. There is actually a new anti-inflammatory anesthetic available via prescription that may help alleviate much of the hemorrhoid pain you experience during pregnancy. It is from Kenwood therapeutics and is called AnaMantle HC. Many women have found that it provides immediate relief of their pain. One of the reasons for this is it contains Lidocaine which numbs the hemorrhoids on contact. Because this medication is prescription only, you should consult with your physician to see if it might be indicated in your particular situation. Your physician might recommend this or a similar product to provide you with relief from the pain and swelling associated with hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids during pregnancy usually will become more bothersome as your pregnancy progresses. With straining during delivery the hemorrhoids may enlarge and cause significant discomfort. After delivery sitz baths, tucks pads, Anusol suppositories and Lidocaine topical anesthetic may offer great relief. The good news is that most hemorrhoids will regress and go away shortly after the baby is born. Vulvar varicosities can be quite painful as the labial lips become swollen and stretched from the engorged blood vessels. The labial tissue may actually swell to the size of a softball. Don't fret, after delivery with the reduced pressure in the pelvis and a good old fashion ice pack the swelling and the pain subside. The good news is most women will realize an improvement in their symptoms a short time after they deliver. There are a number of factors that will influence your susceptibility to varicose veins, including your family history and the amount of weight you gain during pregnancy. Can you do anything to stop varicose veins from forming? While there are no guarantees, there are several things you can do to minimize the effects of varicose veins and minimize your discomfort. One thing you should consider is investing in a pair of maternity pantyhose support stockings. Medical grade support stockings are a superb method for maintaining adequate circulation in the legs and helping to prevent varicose veins. You may find they also minimize pain associated with pre-existing varicosities, and prevent your condition from worsening. Support hose should be put on first thing in the morning, before you get up out of bed. This will also help prevent excessive edema or swelling in your legs during the day. Exercise is also critical during pregnancy to help prevent varicose veins. The longer you stand still for periods of time, the more likely blood is to pool in your legs causing problems. If you have a job that requires you to sit or stand a lot, be sure to go for short walks during your breaks to help promote circulation. Try to get some form of exercise each and every day, even if you are sitting at your desk doing stretches. Pumping your toes and calf muscles can help improve your circulation and minimize blood pooling in the legs. You'll also find that exercise boosts your spirits, and for that reason alone is invaluable during pregnancy. Another thing you can do to help minimize varicosities is elevate your legs whenever you are sitting or laying. If you are home prop your feet up. You should also avoid crossing your legs, which can help blood pool in the legs. When sitting at your desk, be sure to find something to kick your legs up on. Don't forget to get up and walk around periodically to keep the blood circulating in your system. Most of the time varicose veins during pregnancy are nothing to worry about. Most women simply don't like the appearance of them. However there are a small number of people who are at risk for developing blood clots in the veins. Signs of a clot may include a hard, painful or red lump near the surface of your skin, or a swollen leg or calf. If the blood clot is superficial, meaning it is close to the surface of the leg, it is not dangerous. Your physician may just ask you to use support stockings, warm compresses and rest with your feet elevated. If there is suspicion of a blood clot in the large deep veins of the leg your physician will order an ultrasound Doppler study of the leg. If a blood clot is found in the deep veins of your leg it is called a DVT or deep venous thrombosis. A blood clot in the deep veins of the leg can become a very serious and life threatening condition. If it breaks away from the vein and travels to the lungs it is a condition referred to as a pulmonary embolism. This condition is very rare, so don't be overly concerned about this, but talk with your doctor to discuss whether or not you may have any risk factors for this condition. Chances are they will be able to put your mind at ease and offer you practical suggestions to overcome any fear or discomfort you are experiencing. If you find that the varicose veins in your legs do not fade after pregnancy, fortunately there are a number of new varicose vein treatments available to treat them. Some of them are more invasive than others. Less invasive procedures include scleropathy, which may help improve the appearance of small varicosities and spider veins in the leg. The scleropathy procedure involves the injection of a chemical solution into the unwanted blood vessel which causes irritation and sticking together of the vessels walls. This leads to fibrosis of the vessel, making it unable to carry blood and no longer visible in the skin. For larger veins your healthcare provider might recommend a mini-stripping or some form of laser therapy. Be sure you consult with a physician if you have varicose veins that continue to be painful or uncomfortable several weeks after giving birth.

Status: Offline

Dec 16th, 2008, 01:16 AM	#7
porkpie1981 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Belfast Posts: 9,107	My granny always slaps my legs for doing this

Status: Offline

Dec 16th, 2008, 03:18 AM	#8
Logiebear Pregnant (Expecting) BnB Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Manchester, England Posts: 3,516	In other words it's bad for the circulation in your legs, that's all. It restricts it quite badly so can increase your varicose veins. But it doesn't make them and if you are comfy then it does no more harm than that

Status: Offline

Dec 16th, 2008, 03:21 AM	#9
MamaK Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Netherlands (Born and bred in Scotland) Posts: 1,675	Yes this is a bad habit of mine too.... everytime I cross them I keep thinking, 'Do I want to give myself varicose veins?' and then I stop it xxx

Status: Offline

Similar Threads
Who else has their legs crossed?!	Pregnancy - Third Trimester
Babies legs crossed at 20 weeks scan!	Pregnancy - Second Trimester
Sexing Scan LEGS CROSSED LOL + pics	Pregnancy - Second Trimester
Sitting with legs crossed?	Pregnancy - Third Trimester
Excuse me while i cross my legs	General Chatter

User Name		Remember Me?
Password