Pregnancy & Varicose Veins: Blood Clot Risk & Iron Supplement Concerns

Question
i am a 40 yr old patient of yours that goes to your monsey clinic office,i have 7 children and expecting another in october.i have very painful varicose veins on the inside of my right knee.sandra deitch has prescrbed a special compression stocking for me.what i would like to ask you is do you think there is a possibility of a dangerous bloodclot forming in my leg due to this?and do you think that my 375mg iron pills twice a day will thicken my blood and help a bloodclot to form? thank you for your time.ps. i wish i could be your patient at your pomona office.

Answer
The varicose veins will not cause a clot to form, but may cause you to have pains in your legs and difficulty in walking during the latter part of the pregnancy. I would continue using the stockings (during the day) and take them off while you sleep. Iron supplementation will not cause your blood to thicken, but will make sure that you do not become anemic. Remember, pregnancy itself causes anemia (due to the same amount of blood traveling through double the number of blood vessels, yours and your baby's), and iron will improve your hemoglobin and avoid the anemia. It is very important. HOpe to see you soon. You can ask me any questions you wish and you should see me at least twice during the pregnancy.