Becoming a mother is one of the most life-altering experiences for a woman and one that comes with its joys and challenges. The changes that happen in the body are incremental, but they directly affect the emotional state of the mom-to-be.
As time passes and months fly by, it’s important to ensure that the woman feels as comfortable as possible in her skin, and how that’s achieved varies from one pregnant lady to another. One of the easiest ways to ease the discomfort that comes with all those big changes is to provide them with effective tools that can help them on their journey, and this is where compression socks come in.
Why should pregnant women use compression socks?
One of the bigger shifts in a pregnant woman’s body happens to her circulatory system because there’s more blood than usual in it, which can cause discomfort on several fronts. Add to that the fact that increased hormone levels allow the blood vessels to relax and that the further along the pregnancy is, the more pressure there is on the whole body, and it becomes clear how compression socks can help.
Compression socks are created to improve circulation and help with various health concerns connected to it, so moms-to-be can benefit from them as well. These garments can ease the discomfort of swelling and prevent more serious health concerns like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and similar venous issues.
There are plenty of graduated compression sock styles that can make your life easier during pregnancy, but before you start using them, be sure to consult your doctor. They’ll recommend the level of pressure that will serve you best and advise how and when you should wear them. If you have diabetes or heart health issues, you should avoid using compression socks, as they can cause further complications.
Otherwise, wearing hosiery with mild compression levels (up to 20 mmHg) can help improve the quality of life during pregnancy.
Benefits of Using Compression Socks During Pregnancy
While compression socks aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution for all the discomfort a pregnant woman experiences, they can play a significant role in making her life easier. Here’s how!
- Compression socks can reduce swelling. Dealing with swelling is something every pregnant woman grapples with on a daily basis, and compression socks can be a game changer in this battle. In the second and third trimesters, swelling in ankles and legs can become very uncomfortable and make it harder for the woman to move freely. Gentle compression of graduated compression socks improves circulation so that swelling and discomfort with it become smaller.
- Compression socks minimize the chance of developing problematic venous conditions. Different types of circulation health concerns can arise during pregnancy, varying from spider veins to DVT. While spider and varicose veins are more of an aesthetic than a health problem, deep vein thrombosis is a serious concern. This is because blood clots can form in the veins in the legs, and these clots can wreak havoc if they start moving around the body. Using compression socks consistently during pregnancy minimizes the chances of this happening, and with regular check-ups, this issue can be completely avoided.
- Compression socks make traveling easier. The further along you are in your pregnancy, the harder it gets to travel because the level of discomfort increases the longer you sit and are unable to move around or lie down. This is exacerbated if you’re flying and need to stay seated for longer periods because then your blood can’t move freely and stays in your lower legs, which causes them to swell. Before you go to the airport, put your compression socks on and chances are, you’ll feel much lighter. Just remember to also move around a bit whenever possible during the flight – your body will thank you for it.
Each of these advantages in itself is enough to get your compression socks as soon as you find out you’re pregnant. It may take some time for you to get used to wearing them and get accustomed to the pressure on your feet and lower legs, so the sooner you start using them, the better.
Conclusion
Having good circulation during your pregnancy is vital for your well-being. There are many ways to secure that, and you should always keep close tabs on how you feel and talk to your doctor whenever you notice something potentially alarming. Compression socks are one approach that could make your life better quickly, plus, they’re easy to find and order, and buying them won’t break the bank.
If you have some chronic conditions or health issues, be extra sure it’s safe to use these garments. Once you get the green light from your OBGYN, you’re ready to buy your first pair of compression socks and feel how much of a difference they can make in your daily life.
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