All You Need to Know about Compression Socks for Pregnant Women
All You Need to Know about Compression Socks for Pregnant Women
Being pregnant is an exciting time, because you’re anticipating a new addition to your family. However, when you’re pregnant, sometimes you can feel uncomfortable, because of your growing belly.
Many women report that they experience a heavy feeling in their legs, after a spending the whole day on their feet. And many women experience rings around their ankles when they remove their sock or varicose veins. If you’re pregnant, then you might relate to these realities.
The good news is that these conditions are not reasons to worry, because if you experience these symptoms, it is usually not a health concern. However, it is a little bit uncomfortable to experience these sensations. So, to make these symptoms a little less severe, it is a good idea to wear compression socks. Let’s discuss compression socks, so that you can be informed on their benefits.
Why Should I Wear Compression Socks when Pregnant?
There are many reasons why pregnant women should wear compression socks, and one of them is because as your baby gets bigger, they begin to put a lot of pressure on your veins and lymphatic vessels that are in your pelvis. This, along with changes in your hormones and changes in your blood volume, will make it so that there is fluid built up in your legs and pelvis. And because fluid has a much more difficult time going through your body when pregnant, you’ll begin to see swelling, varicose veins, and pressure in your pelvis. So, wearing compression socks will help ease your built-up fluid.
Although it might be a concern if you experience swelling that seems extremely severe, if you have moderate or mild swelling, it is very common. And if you implement subtle lifestyle changes, like the use of a maternity compression sock, then you’re likely to have less pain because of the excess fluid that comes with maternity.
How Do I Know if My Swelling is a Problem?
Though many times swelling is not a concern, it is important to know when it will be a concern. Swelling that occurs during pregnancy is also known as edema, and although it is usually not a problem, it could be signaling preeclampsia or a blood clot. If you have any concerns about swelling, always be sure to contact your doctor. But, here are some things that signal that you should call your doctor for guidance:
- Swelling that gets worse, quickly
- Swelling that prompts headaches, blurry vision, or trouble looking at light sources
- Swelling that is extremely severe in the hands or face
- Swelling that is only in one leg, but not the other
- Swelling that makes it hard to breathe or gives you chest pain
If your swelling is relatively similar in both legs, and if it becomes more painful at night, then you’re probably not at risk, and you can talk to your doctor about it at your regularly scheduled appointment. However, it is good practice to talk to your doctor if your instinct tells you that there is a concern, because it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Are There Long Term Benefits, to Using Compression Socks
We’ve discussed that there are short term benefits to using compression socks, because they make the symptoms that come with pregnancy diminish, but beyond immediate satisfaction, using compression socks can have long term effects, too. When you’re pregnant, you are four to five times more likely to experience blood clot, because there is a lot of pressure on your pelvic veins.
This means, that if you have a family history of blood clotting, it is best to speak to your doctor about your level of risk, but it is also good to know that wearing compression socks can reduce long term health effects, because they reduce the risk of blood clotting. So, because compression socks reduce the risk of blood clotting, they have long term effects for pregnant women, because they can help you stay healthy during your pregnancy, which will lead to better health after your pregnancy.
What are the Top Ten Benefits, that Come from Wearing Compression Socks?
- Your blood vessels will reduce in diameter, which will help blood circulate back to your heart, which lowers the risks of contracting a blood clot.
- Discomfort and swelling will not be as severe.
- You can exercise without feeling like you’re in pain or fatigued.
- Traveling is easier, when you’re wearing compression socks.
- If you have not yet experienced swelling, wearing compression socks can help you prevent future swelling during your pregnancy.
- Your feet will be cooler than they would be without compression socks.
- You won’t experience the strain that comes from having varicose veins appear during pregnancy.
- You won’t experience cramping in your legs as frequently as you would without compression socks.
- Keeping up with tasks around the house or at work will be easier.
- You’ll sleep better, when you’re using compression socks.
So, there are many benefits that come with using compression socks, and even if you haven’t experienced swelling yet, you can use compression socks as a preventative measure. The perks of wearing compression socks vary, and no matter how severe your pain or swelling is, you’re sure to see positive changes, when you begin to wear compression socks.
Final Thoughts: All You Need to Know about Compression Socks for Pregnant Women Do Compression Socks Look Like Hospital Garments?
Pregnancy is already challenging enough, between the changes that happen to your lifestyle and your body, it is hard to experience severe pain and swelling on top of these factors. So, to ensure that you’re as safe and as comfortable as possible, it is a good idea to invest in a quality pair of compression socks.
Rx for Comfort understands the importance of compression socks, so we want to ensure that you have a pair that is right for you. If you have any questions about pregnancy and compression socks, don’t hesitate to reach out. We want to help you during your pregnancy because you deserve great compression socks and comfort!
We want to support and
cushion your feet!