Pregnancy is a special time for every woman, full of anticipation and change. The body undergoes a fascinating transformation in order to provide optimal conditions for the growing baby. However, women with lipoedema often have additional concerns and questions during pregnancy. Understandably, they are concerned about how the hormonal changes could affect their fat distribution disorder. Will the lipoedema get worse? Will the pain increase? What is the best way to alleviate the symptoms during pregnancy?
In this article we would like to provide you with important information and answer your most frequently asked questions on the subject of “Lipoedema and pregnancy”.
Lipoedema is a chronic, progressive disease of the fatty tissue that almost exclusively affects women. It is characterized by a symmetrical increase in subcutaneous fatty tissue on the legs, hips and arms.
Those affected suffer from sensitivity to touch, feelings of tension and pain in the affected areas of the body. Even slight bumps can cause bruising. The fact that even the strictest diets and intensive exercise have hardly any effect on the abnormal fat deposits is particularly distressing. This distinguishes lipoedema fundamentally from normal obesity.
Around one in ten women is affected by this fat distribution disorder, although lipoedema is often diagnosed at a late stage. Lipoedema is often misinterpreted as simply being overweight, which places an additional psychological burden on those affected.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can have an impact on existing lipoedema. During pregnancy, the hormones oestrogen and progesterone increase massively. In some women, this hormonal change can lead to an increase in the volume of fatty tissue and thus intensify the typical lipoedema symptoms such as pain and tightness in the affected areas of the body. Further water retention due to dilation of the venous system can lead to more severe swelling and leg pain in addition to lipoedema. Existing cellulite and spider veins can also become more prominent.
However, this does not always have to be the case: Around half of all sufferers do not experience any worsening of their lipoedema symptoms during pregnancy.
Yes, it has been observed that pregnancy can actually trigger lipoedema for the first time. The fat distribution disorder often occurs during phases of hormonal change – be it during puberty, pregnancy or the menopause.
Although the causes of lipoedema have not yet been clarified, scientific findings strongly suggest a connection with the female hormone system. Lipoedema is often initially overlooked or confused with normal weight gain during pregnancy.
Interestingly, the clinical picture of lipoedema can develop differently with each pregnancy – while there may be no symptoms during the first pregnancy, they may well occur or worsen with subsequent pregnancies. In many women, the progression of lipoedema does not occur during pregnancy, but often some time after the postpartum period.
The treatment of lipoedema during pregnancy should be optimized and individually adapted in addition to normal prenatal care. Although surgical interventions are not possible during this time, there are various conservative treatment approaches that can effectively alleviate your symptoms.
An important pillar of lipoedema treatment during pregnancy is consistent decongestive therapy. This includes
The compression garment should be continued during pregnancy. However, due to the growing baby bump, it will be necessary to adjust the fitting more frequently. Take particular care to ensure that the compression stockings do not cut in and are comfortable to wear.
Sufficient exercise plays an important role in every pregnancy!
If your pregnancy is going smoothly, stay active and continue with your favorite sport. If you haven’t integrated much exercise into your daily routine so far, now is a good time to start. There are numerous options – from gymnastics, fitness and yoga to dancing or running. Exercise in water is particularly beneficial: swimming and aqua aerobics are easy on the joints, promote lymph flow and blood circulation and relieve the feeling of heaviness or tension in the legs and arms. Even in the later weeks of pregnancy, water sports remain a pleasant and effective form of exercise, for which there are many special offers.
Pay attention to your body’s signals – it will show you what is good for you!
During pregnancy, close support from your team of doctors and/or midwives is important. In addition to monitoring the pregnancy as part of maternity care, the progression of your lipoedema can also be monitored. Regular checks should be carried out:
Please note that every pregnancy is individual. What works well for one patient may not necessarily be suitable for another. Seek advice from your doctor to find the best combination of treatments for you.
Before you start planning a pregnancy, it is understandable that you should take a close look at the treatment of your lipoedema. From our many years of experience, we know that gentle, radical and circular liposuction can have a positive effect on the course of lipoedema – especially before pregnancy. Many women who have opted for this procedure have reported that their lipoedema symptoms have been alleviated in the long term and that lipoedema has not recurred during or after pregnancy.
However, such a decision requires careful consideration and should always be made in close cooperation with your doctor. The right treatment before pregnancy is crucial in order to prepare the body as well as possible for the hormonal changes and, in the best case, to remove the lipoedema in the long term.
After pregnancy and breastfeeding, lipoedema sufferers have the full range of treatments available to them, including lipoedema surgery. Liposuction is the gold standard in the surgical treatment of severe lipoedema.
Our clinic uses the particularly gentle water-jet assisted liposuction (WAL) technique, in which the fat cells are loosened and simultaneously suctioned out using a pulsating, fan-shaped jet of water.
However, it is important to note that the operation should only be performed once the tissue has stabilized again after the pregnancy and the hormones have normalized.
The combination of lipoedema and pregnancy requires special attention and professional support. LipoClinic Dr. Heck has many years of experience in the care of lipoedema patients before, during and after pregnancy. Our specialized team understands the complex relationships between hormonal changes and the course of the fat distribution disorder and can therefore provide you with optimal support during this special phase of your life.
Let’s work together to find the best way for you to get through your pregnancy and ideally start surgical treatment before or after. Contact us today to find out more about our approach or to arrange a consultation at our clinic.
Dr. Marion Heck is a specialist in gynaecology and obstetrics with an additional focus on acupuncture. Her holistic view of the female body and her empathetic support make her an important pillar of lipoedema diagnostics and care at LipoClinic Dr. Heck. She combines medical expertise with a keen sense of her patients’ needs.
