Pregnancy is an exciting time for all future mothers. The moment you find out that you are bringing a new life into the world brings you joy and anticipation at the same time. You immediately start planning your nursery and how everything is going to be like after you give birth. However, in between all this excitement, you may forget that pregnancy may bring some unpleasant experiences. Every future mother goes through many changes in their bodies and they affect them in different ways. One change which is considered as the most common among pregnant women is swollen feet and ankles.
According to statistics, about 75% of future mothers experience this symptom during their pregnancy. The swelling usually occurs during the third semester and it doesn’t go away until after the baby is born. There are a few things you can do to help you deal with this discomfort such as elevating your feet, getting a foot massage or doing yoga. However, one thing that has proven really effective is wearing a pair of compression socks. These socks help in so many ways from reducing swelling to having healthy legs even after pregnancy. Before we go on about the benefits of wearing compression socks for pregnancy, let’s take a look at how to choose the best fit for you.
Choosing the right fit for you
If you are experiencing constant swelling during your pregnancy, it is strongly recommended that you put on these socks first thing in the morning to help you get through the day. However, choosing the right compression socks for you is very important as it helps you avoid any discomfort in your legs. In fact, they are special snug-fitting socks that should gently squeeze your legs. Although they are tighter than regular socks, they shouldn’t be painful or difficult to put on. So, when you are looking for the right compression socks, you must refer to the size guide. If you fail to choose the right fit for you, you might experience additional problems such as reduced circulation or even damaged blood vessels in the lower leg. With that being said, keep on reading to find out why compression socks are becoming the best friend to every mom-to-be.
Reduce swelling
One major benefit of wearing compression socks is that they reduce the swelling in your feet and ankles. This usually starts during your 28th week of pregnancy when your body is building its supply of blood and fluids. The baby begins to develop faster which slows down the blood flow from the legs to the heart, leading to swelling. This isn’t dangerous and in fact, it is normal during pregnancy. If it is not treated on time, it can lead to more serious complications like preeclampsia. So, if you are on your feet a lot, wearing these socks can help you avoid any discomfort you may feel in your legs. They put pressure on them and prevent your veins from holding more blood than usual. According to a report by Swiss Medical Weekly, about 30% of future mothers develop varicose veins which may even increase the risk of thrombosis.
Improve circulation
As it was mentioned at the beginning of this article, another change that every pregnant woman goes through is the increase in hormones. The increase of progesterone causes the veins to dilate which also increases the volume of blood between 40% and 50%. This can make your blood more likely to clot leading to a more serious condition of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Blood clots occur when the blood is not circulating in your body efficiently because of the blockages that have been developed in your veins. Also, as the baby is growing, it is pressing against the pelvic vessels, increasing the pressure inside the veins. For that reason, wearing compression socks helps prevent blood clots because they keep your blood flowing more easily. For example, if you are going on a long car or plane ride, it is advised that you put on these socks to improve the circulation in your legs.
Relieve pain
Another major benefit of wearing compression socks is that they help ease aches and pains pregnant women often feel in their legs. The pain usually occurs from standing on your feet or sitting down for too long. When this happens, the blood pools in your feet and it leads to pressure in your legs which causes discomfort and in most cases pain. This is often intensified as the baby grows which is why doctors recommend bed rest or elevating your feet. However, wearing compression socks can also help maintain the pressure and stop the blood from pooling in your legs. They also increase the amount of oxygen and nutrients that circulate through your body. Wearing these socks at night isn’t advised because you need to relax your legs after being squeezed in all day long. But, if you feel like they help with your pain, you can certainly go for it.
Healthy legs after pregnancy
Most women even experience swelling after giving birth called postpartum edema. This is caused by a large amount of fluid that has remained in the body tissue after childbirth. Just like during pregnancy, it is normal to experience swelling in your feet and ankles after giving birth which usually goes down within a week. Some doctors may advise keeping a healthy diet, resting and staying hydrated, but compression socks can also be worn to help you deal with the swelling. They energize the legs and offer that feeling of lightness throughout the day. Also, because of the swelling, many pregnant women often lose definition in their feet during pregnancy which causes a misshapen look of their legs. Therefore, wearing compression socks while pregnant helps your legs maintain a “normal” shape even after pregnancy. Having healthy legs during and after pregnancy allows you to enjoy your time with your baby to the fullest.
Photo by Jonathan Borba from Unsplash
Final thoughts
Compression socks can certainly improve your experience of childbearing. They go a long way towards relieving any kind of pain and discomfort during and after pregnancy as long as you wear them correctly. Also, an interesting fact about these socks is that they come in different colors and patterns which you can choose from. So, not only will you be providing yourself comfort throughout your whole pregnancy, but you can be stylish too with a colorful pair of compression socks.