Taking care of yourself during pregnancy is an important job for the mom-to-be. A balanced diet, the proper exercise and plenty of rest are all healthy choices that keep you feeling great during pregnancy. But sometimes even TLC doesn't keep your legs from becoming tired and achy.

Your body's circulatory system has two kinds of blood vessels: arteries and veins. Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of your body. The thick artery walls actually help the heart to pump the blood by gently contracting with each heartbeat.

Veins return blood back to the heart. The thin-walled veins have valves that open when the blood flows past them, then close after each heartbeat to stop the blood from flowing backwards in the vein. When weak or damaged valves allow blood to flow backward, it collects at the bottom of the leg. This excess blood increases pressure in the vein and causes that tired aching feeling in your legs.

Eventually, the increased pressure enlarges the veins. These stretched and twisted veins are called varicose veins. The smaller veins close to the skin's surface may be bluish, with a spidery or knotted appearance. Pregnancy Increases the Possibility That You'll Develop Varicose Veins

Men and women of all ages can develop varicose veins. But the special changes in your body during pregnancy make you especially susceptible to this condition. In fact, it's estimated that up to 40% of all pregnant women develop varicose veins.

When your pregnant, hormone changes may cause vein walls to relax slightly and stretch out. Also greater blood flow to and from the womb, along with the size and weight of your expanding tummy, puts additional pressure on the veins of your legs.

You're more likely to develop varicose veins if your job requires prolonged periods of standing or sitting. Other contributing factors are thin-walled veins, injury or inflammation of the veins and excess weight. The combined effect of all of these factors contributes to varicose veins in the legs.

If you already have varicose veins, pregnancy can aggravate and worsen the condition. Also, if your mother had varicose vein problems during her pregnancy, you may experience similar problems since weaknesses in vein walls and valves are inherited.

Usually the varicose veins that develop during pregnancy return to normal after your baby is born. However, if valves are improperly developed, there will be a tendency for varicose veins that develop during pregnancy to become permanent problems.Maternity Support Pantyhose - Just What The Doctor Ordered

Sheer maternity pantyhose provides gradient compression, where the pressure of the garment is greatest at the ankle and decreases as you move up the leg. This unique design gently compresses your leg muscles, squeezing the veins, helping to push the blood back toward your heart.

In addition to wearing support pantyhose, here are a few tips for making your legs feel better.