Gestational edema occurs in late pregnancy secondary to increased venous congestion in the legs caused by pressure exerted mechanically by the uterus onto the inferior vena cava and iliac veins.

The inferior vena cava (also known as IVC or the posterior vena cava) is a large vein that carries oxygen-depleted blood from the torso and lower body to the right side of the heart. From there ...

Back Pain- Back pain increases after pregnancy due to the increasing ... off the large vein that returns blood to the heart (inferior vena cava) B. Resting regularly with the legs elevated.