

Compression socks should be snug but not painful. Wear them as you go about your day, taking them off only when you prop your feet up for the evening. This will prevent your legs and feet from swelling in the first place. To nip swelling in the bud and ensure minimum discomfort, you should put on your compression socks right before you get out of bed in the morning. How Should You Use Compression Socks During Pregnancy? Staying on your feet is easier when you’re not suffering from swollen, achy legs and feet! Help staying on your feet: By reducing swelling and discomfort, compression socks can help you stay active and miss out on fewer activities.Compression socks can prevent varicose veins by improving circulation. Many women find these dark purple or blue veins on their legs unsightly. Prevention of varicose veins: Varicose veins are a common side effect of poor circulation in the legs during pregnancy.Relief of discomfort: The reduction in swelling also eases the aches and pains that come with being on your feet while pregnant.

By improving circulation, compression socks greatly reduce the chances of a blood clot in your legs. Reduced risk of blood clots: Anytime blood is pooling or failing to circulate well, the risk of clotting is higher than normal.Reduced swelling: The improved blood flow caused by compression socks reduces that annoying, painful swelling that pregnant women are so familiar with.

Improving your circulation has many positive side effects: This improves the veins’ ability to push blood back up to the heart. By squeezing your legs, they gently reduce the diameter of the blood vessels. The main benefit of compression socks is that they improve circulation in your legs during pregnancy. Benefits of Wearing Compression Socks During Pregnancy If you have to be on your feet all day, swollen feet and legs are a given without the aid of compression socks. This improves your circulation and prevents swelling. If the swelling is extreme, one leg is more swollen than the other, or you have high blood pressure along with swelling, contact your OB right away! How Do Compression Socks Work?Ĭompression socks gently squeeze your feet and legs, massaging the muscles and forcing blood to flow back up to the rest of the body. If your swelling fits this description, then compression socks can provide significant relief. By the time you wake up in the morning, the swelling should be mostly gone because you’ve been in a horizontal position for hours. Normal pregnancy swelling builds throughout the day, then lessens when you put your feet up for the night or go to sleep. Up to 80% of women experience swollen feet and legs in the third trimester of pregnancy. What Kind of Swelling Is Normal During Pregnancy? All of this results in edema (swelling), varicose veins, leg cramps, and aching feet – yikes! The good news is that you can combat these unpleasant leg and foot issues by wearing compression socks or stockings during pregnancy. Because your hormones cause the walls of your veins to relax, blood can pool in your legs and feet. As pregnancy progresses, your body retains extra fluids and manufactures more blood to provide for your growing baby. It’s no secret that pregnancy comes with its share of bodily woes! Growing a new life is magical, but it has some definite drawbacks for your legs, ankles, and feet.
