=Varicose veins= are not peculiar to pregnancy but they are among the pressure symptoms which frequently appear during the later months, particularly among women who have borne children. The enlargement of the veins is not usually serious but it may cause a good deal of discomfort. While varicose veins may occur in the vulva, they are usually confined to the legs, and both legs are about equally affected. Sometimes, however, the veins in the right leg are more distended than those in the left, or the right side alone may be affected. Considerable relief may be obtained by keeping off the feet, particularly by elevating them, and also by the use of elastic bandages. When an expectant mother finds it difficult or nearly impossible to sit or lie down for any length of time, she may secure great relief in a few moments by lying flat on the bed with her legs extended straight into the air, at right angles to her body, resting against the wall or head board, as shown in Fig. 14. This right-angled position for five minutes, three or four times a day, will accomplish wonders in reducing varicose veins. A spiral elastic bandage, also, will give comfort and help to prevent the veins from growing larger, if applied freshly after each time that the leg is elevated. The most satisfactory bandages, from the standpoint of expense, comfort and cleanliness, are of stockinette or of flannel cut on the bias, measuring three or four inches wide and eight or nine yards long. If made of flannel, the selvages should be whipped together smoothly so that there is neither ridge nor pucker at the seam. The bandage should be wrapped around the leg with firm, even pressure, starting with a few turns over the foot to secure it, and leaving the heel uncovered, carried up the leg to a point above the highest swollen vessels. As a rule the bandage may be left off at night. There are satisfactory elastic stockings on the market, but they are fairly expensive, often cannot be washed and seem to offer no practical advantage over the bandages. Swollen veins in the vulva may be relieved by lying flat and elevating the hips, or by lying on the side with the hips elevated on a pillow for a few moments several times a day, as shown in Fig. 15. [Illustration: FIG. 15.—Lying on the side with hips elevated to relieve swelling or varicose veins of the vulva. (By courtesy of the Maternity Centre Association.) ]