Benefits of compression socks during

Aching feet, swollen ankles, varicose veins are all symptoms most women experience during their pregnancy. One way to help ease both symptoms (or at least stop them from becoming worse) is to slip on a pair of maternity compression socks at the start of the day.

Compression Socks

• Help prevent swelling and discomfort in your legs and promote blood circulation.
• Help prevent and minimize the risk of varicose veins.
• Expand with you during pregnancy.

Compressions Socks can be worn anytime from three to nine months during your pregnancy and during the postpartum period. Because of the benefits compression socks provide, most insurance plans cover them!

Helps prevent swelling, discomfort, and varicose veins

Wearing compression socks will provide external support to keep the swelling minimal and reduce the discomfort that comes from being on your feet for long periods of time.

Compression socks are also a great way to support your cardiovascular system during pregnancy. As your blood volume expands and your heart rate increases, your cardiovascular system works increasingly hard to continue providing nutrients and oxygen to you and your baby.

Compression Socks Help Prevent Clots

Your lower extremities sometimes are affected by this additional workload, which results in poor circulation in your legs and feet. This often leads to swelling, varicose veins, or blood clots. Deep vein thrombosis can be a life-threatening condition caused by poor circulation when blood collects in blood vessels and forms a clot.

Wearing compression socks can help prevent these clots because the compression they provide makes it easier for your heart to keep your blood flowing. This is also helpful for preventing the development of varicose veins and can support varicose veins that you already have.

When Should You Put on Compression Socks?

If you do struggle with everyday swelling during your pregnancy and want to use compression socks, I recommend putting them on before you get out of bed in the morning. Swelling in the feet and legs is usually the lowest when you first wake up because sleeping in a vertical position prevents gravity from resisting the return blood flow from the lower extremities.

Putting the socks on before rising in the morning gives your feet and legs extra compression to help with blood flow from the very start of the day, and thus can help keep the swelling at a minimum.

Compression Socks while Flying

First of all, can you fly while pregnant? Yes, it is safe to fly during pregnancy even in the third trimester. With a healthy pregnancy, most airlines will allow mothers to fly until the 36th week of their pregnancy. This policy applies to passengers, those who travel frequently for work, flight attendants, and pilots. Just be sure to check with your doctor beforehand and check with your airline to determine their policies.

Flying increases the risk for Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), which occurs when a blood clot forms in one or more of your deep veins, usually in the legs. They can cause swelling and pain in the legs, but most importantly, the blood clots can break loose and travel through your bloodstream and into the lungs, resulting in blocked blood flow (pulmonary embolism). In fact, pregnancy increases the risk of DVT by 5 times, and it is the leading cause of maternal death in the developed world.

Periods of prolonged sitting on a plane under the increased weight of your growing baby can make it more difficult for your legs to have proper circulation. Plus, during pregnancy, your blood clots more easily to lower the risk of losing too much blood during delivery.

Not every flight will put you at risk. Evidence shows that flights lasting four hours or less have a low increase in risk. 

Postpartum Compression Socks

Compression stockings are an awesome solution for postpartum edema by reducing extremity swelling. They can do wonders for women who experience painful swelling in their lower legs and ankles both during and after pregnancy. Compression stockings also provide relief to those suffering from varicose veins as they increase blood flow and prevent the veins from spreading or getting worse.

You may qualify for compression socks through your insurance. However, plans may differ in the type of benefits offered. If your insurance does cover compression socks for pregnancy, your deductible and copay will apply to them. Check this locator tool to find a supplier that provides compression socks through insurance.