It may be both thrilling and challenging while being pregnant. Your body is undergoing continual change, and the additional weight you're gaining around may cause some uncomfortable feelings like backaches and soreness in your legs and feet.

 

 Fortunately, pulling on a pair of compression socks is a quick and easy approach to reduce some of that discomfort. These socks, which are also known as compression stockings, embrace the legs softly and offer support for aching, swollen limbs.

 

 

What are Compression Socks?

 

Compression socks are medical stockings that apply pressure to the ankles and legs to promote better blood vessel function. 

 

 They increase blood circulation by enabling the blood to flow back to your heart and relaxing the muscles and arteries in your legs. 

 

Compression socks come in a variety of lengths and apply various amounts of pressure. Swelling in the calves, ankles, and feet can be reduced by wearing stockings that are below the knee. 

 

Compression stockings that reach the thigh keep blood from accumulating in your veins.

 

 

 

Benefits of Compression Socks During Pregnancy

 

The importance of using compression socks can't be overemphasized, nevertheless, some of the uses of Compression Socks include: 

 

• 1. It improves the flow of blood to your legs.

 

• 2. Support veins.

 

• 3. Reduces leg edema (swelling) and stops blood from accumulating in your leg veins.

 

• 4. Lessen orthostatic hypotension, which makes you dizzy or unsteady when standing.

 

• 5. Functions as a venous ulcer shield.

 

• 6. Stops your legs from developing deep vein thrombosis.

 

• 7. Minimizes the discomfort brought on by varicose veins.

 

• 8. Reduces deep vein thrombosis.

 

• 9. It enhances lymphatic drainage.

 

Signs You Need Compression Socks During Pregnancy

 

• 1. Heaviness of your legs

Your body's adjustments are always made for a very vital reason: to ensure your child receives all it can get to grow. Unfortunately, some of the changes the body experiences occasionally can have unfavorable side effects for you and your baby.

 

Hormonal changes during pregnancy exert additional load on the venous system. The veins expand as a result of the venous walls being more flexible and the blood volume increasing on the opposite sides due to too much pressure. As a result, blood may build up in the veins, leading to signs like heavy, fatigued legs.

 

When you notice this sign, it can be tempting to just assume it's a normal sign associated with pregnancy and it will definitely reduce when the time comes. 

 

As true as that sound, the discomfort during that period can be unbearable, that's why compression socks are recommended so as to ease the pain. 

 

 

 

 

• 2. Presence of Varicose Veins

For some women, varicose veins are a normal, typically unproblematic aspect of pregnancy. They occur when the uterus exerts pressure on the substantial vein (the inferior vena cava or lower vein) which transports blood from your feet and legs back to your heart.

 

Varicose veins can cause itching, discomfort, and even pain.Varicose veins can be genetic, as your mother or grandmother may have had it while pregnant. Consequently, there isn't much you can do to stop them, which is sad.

 

Performing exercises, using compression socks, avoiding leg crossing when sitting, and a number of other strategies are some ways to lessen varicose vein discomfort while preventing the veins from getting worse.

 

 

• 3. Detection of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Women are more vulnerable to blood clots during pregnancy and childbirth because, later in pregnancy, women tend to have decreased blood flow to the legs. This is because the blood arteries surrounding the pelvis are squeezed by the developing baby.

 

Your veins experience increased pressure as your uterus expands. You are more prone to blood clots when you have certain hormones, which can result in conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT). You might experience soreness and tenderness of your legs when DVT occurs. 

 

By preventing blood clots and blood pooling, compression socks can improve circulation, which reduces bodily aches and pains.

 

 

• 4. Leg Cramps

Leg cramps may occur during pregnancy due to exhaustion, pressure from the uterus on specific nerves, or a reduction in blood flow to the legs as a result of the baby's strain on blood vessels.

 

Leg cramping during pregnancy can be avoided by gently flexing and stretching your feet many times before bedtime. 

 

The likelihood of cramping may also be decreased by using compression stockings and avoiding prolonged sitting or standing.

 

 

• 5. Swollen Ankles and Legs

Swelling is caused by your body holding more water than usual when you're pregnant.

 

Throughout the day the extra water tends to gather in the lowest parts of the body, especially if the weather is hot or you have been standing for a long time.

 

The pressure of your growing womb can also affect the blood flow in your legs. This can cause fluid to build up in your legs, ankles and feet.

 

As much as exercising can be a good way to prevent or reduce swollen ankles and legs, compression socks are recommended in place of when you can't afford to exercise. Combining both isn't a bad idea. 

 

 

 

 

What Makes Compression Socks stand out from Regular Socks

 

Compression socks provide several advantages over regular socks, including improved blood flow during and after exercise, prevention of injuries, and keeping muscles warm before physical activity. 

 

While regular socks may keep you warm, they don't offer the same level of support as compression socks.

 

You don't have to wait for these signs to escalate before you get a compression sock, reduce your chances of going through pain today by getting a compression sock. 

 

Don't forget to drop questions if you have any about compression socks, in the comment section. Like and share, someone might need this. 

 

 

Stay Preggysafe! 

 

 

 

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