You need elastic stockings for the maternity hospital. Why do you need compression stockings for childbirth and how to choose them? Why are compression stockings needed after childbirth?

In accordance with the instructions of doctors, women are recommended to use compression stockings for childbirth during pregnancy and childbirth, which prevent the risk of developing varicose veins. This underwear also helps treat vascular diseases, prevents the formation of blood clots and significantly reduces the enormous load on the legs.

Under the influence of increased intra-abdominal pressure, which is formed during the birth of a baby, characteristic stagnation phenomena develop in the area of the pelvic organs and legs, which can lead to the formation of blood clots. Therapeutic stockings distribute the load in the legs so that maximum pressure falls on the shins, which prevents the appearance of pain.

Unfortunately, not every woman in labor knows that during the delivery process there is always a risk of developing diseases of the veins and blood vessels of the legs. Pregnancy is always associated with severe stress for the body.

During this period, pinching of large blood vessels and arteries occurs, which is caused by the pressure of the growing uterus. Taken together, this leads to the development of stagnant phenomena in the legs and pelvis.

Natural childbirth also involves a woman staying in a horizontal position for a long time, which contributes to the exacerbation of the above symptoms. An important factor is intra-abdominal pressure, which negatively affects the condition of the veins.

With the combined influence of these causes, damage occurs to both large vessels and small capillaries, and the risk of developing thrombosis also increases.

The use of compression stockings allows you to distribute pressure in the leg area, improve blood circulation and significantly reduce stress.

An important factor is that therapeutic underwear helps reduce physical fatigue, which is invariably associated with labor.

To achieve maximum effect, especially in the presence of symptoms of venous disease, it is recommended to use stockings not only during childbirth, but also in the postpartum period, as well as during pregnancy.

Products of this kind are made primarily from natural fabrics, which means they are absolutely safe to use. They do not cause discomfort during wear, while providing a preventive effect.

Classes

There are four classes of compression stockings, each of which is intended for use against the background of the presence of certain symptoms of vascular diseases. In order to make the right choice, it is best to visit a phlebologist who will determine the appropriate class of underwear in each specific case.

You should not purchase stockings yourself based on someone else’s recommendations. The exception is preventive underwear, which is recommended for all women to wear during pregnancy to relieve fatigue and tension in the legs. These stockings do not belong to any class.

The main classes of therapeutic linen are the following:

1 class. Stockings classified in this category exert a pressure of no more than 23 mmHg on the legs. They are recommended for wearing in the presence of minor symptoms of diseases of the veins and blood vessels, which can be expressed in the following manifestations: enlarged veins, the appearance of so-called “stars”, swelling, fatigue in the legs.
2nd grade. In this case, the compression does not exceed 33 mm Hg. Art. Lingerie of this kind has not only a preventive, but also a therapeutic effect on the legs, eliminating early manifestations of varicose veins and thrombosis.
3rd grade. In this case, the pressure is already about 45 mm Hg. Art. This type of underwear is most often used for moderate and severe damage to blood vessels and veins.
4th grade. The compression pressure of such stockings exceeds 50 mmHg. Art. You can wear underwear of this class only in case of severe violations of lymph flow. It prevents the development of complications and eliminates severe swelling.

Kinds

In addition to compression levels, stockings are also categorized according to type. Which option is best to use in a particular case is best decided after consulting a doctor.

Any of the listed types has both pros and cons:

Elastic bandages. This is the worst option for a pregnant woman. Bandages can cause significant harm to blood vessels if they are wound incorrectly, pinching some areas while leaving others free. However, if you follow the rules, this is a good option for childbirth due to its availability and prevalence.
Knee socks. You can use knee socks only during pregnancy, and only in cases where problems with veins and blood vessels affect exclusively the lower part of the legs. It is not recommended to purchase such underwear for childbirth, as the pressure on the thighs increases.
Stockings. This is the best option for therapeutic underwear. They apply even pressure to the legs, distributing the load and not affecting the abdominal area. This option is most convenient during childbirth as a prevention of venous and vascular diseases.
Tights. This type of underwear has all the advantages of stockings, but they can only be used during pregnancy. In addition, tights can put pressure on the abdominal area, which can lead to negative consequences.

Dimensions

Compression stockings for childbirth - how to choose the right size? This aspect is important, since only properly selected underwear will protect your legs from negative effects and prevent the development of diseases of the veins and blood vessels.

Before purchasing stockings, you should determine some sizes of the leg parts, using a measuring tape when performing this manipulation: you need to find out the girth of the lower, upper part of the lower leg and thigh.

You should also calculate the length of the leg up to the top measurement of the hip. It is on the basis of these numbers that the optimal size of stockings is selected.

Terms of use

In order to achieve maximum effect from using stockings, you need to follow some rules. Neglecting them may not cause harm, but ultimately the benefit will be minimal.

To determine whether stockings are needed, you should consult your doctor. He will determine the type and class of underwear in accordance with individual physiological characteristics.
Linen should be made exclusively from natural materials. Deviating from this rule and purchasing stockings of dubious quality may provoke the development of allergic or other negative reactions from the body.
Stockings should be selected exclusively in accordance with the size of the pregnant woman. Otherwise, the compression pressure will be too high, or, conversely, low, which prevents the achievement of a positive effect.

Compression stockings can be used not only during childbirth, but also during pregnancy. The presence or absence of disturbances in the activity of blood vessels is not a prerequisite, that is, you can wear underwear intended solely for prevention.

Currently, it has become popular to use special compression stockings for childbirth. Sometimes they are replaced with bandages, but this method is less convenient and is used only in exceptional cases. Gynecologists have a positive attitude towards this decision and are increasingly recommending the wearing of medical underwear to their patients. But women often learn about such a necessary thing from their friends who have already given birth, from reviews on the Internet or from their own experience.

The main purpose for which pregnant women are prescribed compression stockings is to minimize the risk of thrombophlebitis or varicose veins. If the disease is already developing, stop this process. For the same purposes, compression hosiery is recommended to be worn before childbirth. They are much more effective than leg bandaging, and they can also be worn after the birth of a child for further treatment of varicose veins or simply for prevention.

Why do you need special underwear?

A woman's body experiences enormous stress during the birth of a child. At the same time, pressure on the vessels increases. For this reason, the popularity of compression garments is increasing. Please note that it is not knee socks that are needed, but stockings for childbirth, since the latter will reduce the load on the hips - the maximum will be on the lower leg area.

Compression underwear is designed to protect the legs from stress at different periods: it will help not only during childbirth, but also during pregnancy and after the birth of the baby.

Fatigue and pain in the legs, the appearance of venous nodes are a reason to consult a phlebologist. A specialist will help you choose stockings with the desired degree of compression (there are 4 of them in total). Compression garments have been found to be good for cramps and swelling. Other problems may be indications for the use of compression garments:

excess weight;
diabetes;
age from 35 years;
blood clotting is impaired.

Compression stockings may be needed for labor even if you have a caesarean section. The reason is simple: cesarean is an abdominal operation and is associated with a large load on the blood vessels, can cause disruption of blood flow and provoke the formation of blood clots. If the patient is diagnosed with varicose veins, the consequences can be serious - up to the separation of existing blood clots or blockage of the arteries.

Prolonged stay in one position simultaneously with significant dilation of the veins can cause thromboembolism. Do not forget about the administration of anesthesia, since some components of the drug usually have a negative effect on blood vessels.

For these reasons, compression stockings are needed for childbirth, even for caesarean sections. Moreover, it is not recommended to remove them for several days after the operation. During this period, the drug has not yet been completely eliminated from the body and has a negative effect on blood vessels. In addition, women in labor after surgery are not allowed to get up for at least 2 days, so the muscles and blood vessels of the legs could use some help. It is allowed to remove compression garments only 3-5 days after cesarean section.

Benefits of using medical tights

Medical underwear allows you to reduce the load on the blood vessels of the legs, which is especially important during pregnancy. Therefore, the indication for its use is the presence of vascular diseases: vascular lesions, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis.

Compression underwear - tights and stockings are needed to reduce various unpleasant symptoms that appear during pregnancy:

convulsions;
swelling of the legs;
fatigue;
spider veins.

The use of medical underwear will help to avoid violations and complications and significantly complicate the process of bearing a fetus. During pregnancy, situations do not always arise when constant use of such underwear is necessary. But even in such cases, it is recommended to purchase it only for childbirth.

Compression garments cannot completely protect against the appearance of varicose veins or problems during childbirth. But they significantly increase the chance of maintaining health during this period.

Many people are deterred from buying compression garments by the price; stockings for childbirth are not cheap. But it is worth considering that (subject to the correct choice of product) they will last a long time and will be useful not only during pregnancy and childbirth. In the future, compression underwear will come in handy, especially in cold weather, and is quite suitable for the prevention of varicose veins.

Another common opinion is that medical underwear looks unaesthetic. Looking beautiful is important for any woman. But at the same time, it is quite clear that during childbirth there will be no time for aesthetics, neither for the patient herself, nor for the medical staff, and especially for the child. The main purpose of compression garments is to reduce stress and help facilitate the pregnancy process. Although today there are models on sale that do not differ in appearance from the corresponding types of ordinary underwear.

Types of compression stockings

Compression hosiery for childbirth differs from other similar products primarily in that the compression is carefully adjusted. When wearing such stockings, 40% of the load falls on the thighs, which reduces the risk of vascular disruption, normalizes blood flow, and prevents blood stagnation and the formation of blood clots. Women wonder how to choose the right compression garments for the period of pregnancy and childbirth. A specialist can give advice on how to choose the right underwear.

There are 4 types of medical underwear, differing in the degree of compression. This indicator affects the effectiveness of the underwear and allows you to normalize blood flow in the veins of the legs. Therefore, the main point in choosing stockings is to determine what degree is needed in a particular case.

First of all, you need to consult a phlebologist. If the examination does not reveal vascular disorders and there are no other indications for wearing medical underwear, the patient is most often recommended to purchase stockings with a compression degree of 0 or 1.

Such products are aimed only at the prevention of varicose veins and are usually recommended for those who lead a sedentary lifestyle - or, conversely, stand on their feet for a long time (hairdressers, salesmen). In appearance, stockings with a low degree of compression differ little from regular stockings, so they can be used after childbirth.

Stockings with grade 2 are recommended for patients diagnosed with venous insufficiency or varicose veins. They are often prescribed for pregnancy pathologies, after a leg injury, or when there is a significant load on the muscles.

Medical underwear with grade 3 during pregnancy are prescribed less frequently, as they are intended for those who have undergone surgery on the legs, an open fracture or a trophic complication of varicose veins.

Special stockings are available for childbirth. They have some differences in cut. In these stockings, the compression is distributed very precisely and there is a stretchable insert that does not put pressure on the stomach. In such models, the toe is usually open - it allows you to determine the correct blood circulation by the appearance of your fingers.

Anti-embolic stockings during pregnancy are prescribed for serious treatment or after a difficult birth. You can wear them for a week without taking them off even in the shower. This type of product can be washed and even boiled without fear. In this case, the permissible temperature is 75 degrees.

Stages of choosing linen

Having decided to purchase stockings for childbirth, many are faced with the question of which to choose.

An important point when choosing stockings is size. If the stockings are not the right size, they will have no effect.

Before buying underwear, you need to take measurements: take measurements of the foot, shin, knee and hip. To obtain the most accurate measurements, it is recommended to take measurements immediately after waking up in the morning, preferably in a lying position. If it’s difficult to take measurements yourself, it’s better to ask someone close to you to help. The hospital can help take measurements. Having received the measurement results, the size can be selected according to the table. The color code helps determine the size. It is located on the stockings themselves, in the heel area.

Compression stockings should be comfortable, seamless, and hypoallergenic. The latter is achieved due to the fact that the product does not contain synthetic fibers. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the material of manufacture when choosing. The best option is stockings made of natural cotton with the addition of rubber threads. This combination will create a double weave, and the skin will breathe.

It is important to pay attention to the duration of use. High-quality stockings should last at least 10 months. Therefore, when purchasing, it is important to pay attention to the relevant instructions (should be on the packaging).

A special marking - the RAL quality mark - allows you to distinguish high-quality stockings from fake ones. This mark guarantees the quality of the product and the healing effect.

Another important point is the choice of place of purchase. It is not recommended to buy compression hosiery in pharmacies; they often do not have the necessary information and will not be able to help with the choice. It is preferable to purchase stockings in specialized stores where you can get advice.

Rules for using knitwear

Unlike regular tights, when putting on medical stockings you need to follow certain rules.

If open-toe stockings are used, the slip-on sock is put on first. Then assemble the tights themselves with an accordion. Then insert your palms inside the stockings and put them on your foot, taking into account the location of the heel. Next, the stockings are straightened, distributing them evenly along the leg. After this, the sliding sock can be removed.

It is important to act carefully and avoid excessive tightening or twisting. It is worth putting on stockings in the morning, immediately after waking up, since at this time your legs are not yet swollen. It is often recommended to wear rubber gloves before putting on stockings or any other compression garment. You can do without them, but in this case your nails should be cut short. It is necessary to remove rings and rings so as not to accidentally damage the stockings.

You need to be careful when using compression stockings. And it's not just the high cost. Even a minor defect can cause a violation of the correct load distribution. Therefore, if defects are noticed or holes appear in the stockings, it is better to consult a doctor. It is possible that you will have to buy new ones.

Putting on compression stockings during pregnancy can be quite difficult due to the enlarged belly. Therefore, it is better to put on stockings before going to the maternity hospital. If you can’t do it on your own, you can and should ask your family for help. Immediately before giving birth, it will be even more difficult to cope with this task, since not only the stomach will interfere, but also periodic contractions. Moreover, there may not be time left for this.

Since compression hosiery can be worn from the beginning of pregnancy, and not just during childbirth, we list the requirements for caring for it. You can wash low-density stockings by hand using hypoallergenic baby soap instead of powder. Machine washable only for items marked RAL. You should not hang the stockings to dry, as this may cause deformation of the product. Avoid exposure to sunlight or contact of knitwear with a heat radiator. It is not recommended to heat the material too much or iron it.

9 months of waiting for a toddler is a serious burden on the entire body of the expectant mother, including her legs.

One of the fairly common troubles that befalls a woman during pregnancy is varicose veins. The expectant mother may not only experience discomfort, but also notice unesthetic visual manifestations of this disease - vascular networks appear, swelling, veins expand and protrude. Moreover, with each subsequent pregnancy the situation only gets worse. A careful and careful attitude towards your health will allow you to promptly prevent the disease or significantly reduce its manifestations. One of the options for affordable and effective help for your feet is wearing special underwear. Compression stockings, which can be worn not only for therapeutic but also for preventive purposes during pregnancy, reduce the load on the legs and help restore a feeling of lightness and comfort.

Compression stockings during pregnancy

A wide selection of special stockings often leaves the expectant mother at a loss. First of all, it is recommended to obtain medical advice, since the main rule of any correction and therapy is to do no harm.

Compression garments are an invisible helper for discomfort in the legs and varicose veins.

Carrying a baby is a serious test for the body of the expectant mother. Wearing compression stockings during pregnancy and why this product is often a question for pregnant women. Is this type of therapeutic knitwear really necessary? Increased load on the circulatory system often leads to the appearance of the first symptoms of varicose veins.

With the appearance of a new person in a woman’s womb, the viscosity of her blood increases, and as the baby grows, the blood becomes thicker.
Pressure on the vessels of the pelvic floor, which increases with increasing weight of the baby.
An important factor is heredity. Even if before pregnancy a woman did not experience problems with her legs, but among her relatives (especially her closest ones) there are people with varicose veins, the likelihood of this disease manifesting itself in the expectant mother increases significantly.

The combination of these factors often leads to impaired blood flow and the appearance of congestion. The process of giving birth to a baby is accompanied by bleeding. To prevent blood loss from becoming alarmingly excessive, the body activates the clotting process. If a woman suffers from varicose veins, then the risk of developing thrombosis increases significantly. For this purpose, it is recommended to wear compression stockings not only during pregnancy, but also during childbirth. Also, indications for the use of therapeutic knitwear are:

If this is not the first pregnancy and manifestations of varicose veins have already occurred before, the woman simply needs to wear medicinal underwear.
Varicose veins, the presence of spider veins, “stars”.
The appearance of fatigue in the legs, swelling of the limbs at the end of the day.
The appearance of pain and cramps in the legs.
The presence of chronic venous insufficiency.

Thus, for those who still doubt whether compression stockings can be worn during pregnancy, the answer is yes. Specialized underwear can and should be worn, especially if there are direct indications, although you should not forget about contraindications.

The effectiveness of wearing compression stockings during pregnancy

The use of specialized stockings allows you to create the effect of graduated compression. This means that each area of the leg, be it the thigh, lower leg, ankle or foot, experiences different pressure. The maximum impact is experienced by the ankle, the minimum by the thigh. Thanks to this pressure distribution, it is possible to avoid blood stagnation, ensuring optimal blood flow. Besides:

The constant pressure exerted on the walls of blood vessels maintains the necessary active blood circulation, ensuring a sufficient outflow of venous blood from the lower extremities.
As a result of wearing stockings, the normal functioning of the venous valves is maintained, so the likelihood of blood backflow is minimized.
The elasticity of the walls of blood vessels improves, so the veins become less susceptible to expansion.
Restoring normal blood flow ensures optimal saturation of tissues with oxygen and nutrients.
Wearing compression stockings for edema during pregnancy is also justified if this condition is caused by a violation of venous blood flow. In addition to swelling, there is often a feeling of fatigue in the legs, and the vascular network becomes more pronounced. Stockings stimulate the absorption of extracellular fluid by the vessels, which not only prevents, but also reduces swelling.

The use of compression stockings will provide maximum support for your legs during periods of increased stress on them. However, it is worth remembering that before purchasing medicinal knitwear, you must consult a doctor (surgeon or phlebologist) for the correct selection of stockings.

Compression stockings during pregnancy - how to choose the right medical underwear

The whole variety of therapeutic and preventive underwear can be divided into several groups - stockings, tights, knee socks.

Types of compression garments for pregnant women

Stockings are the most popular and comfortable form of compression underwear, especially when it comes to pregnant women. Silicone Velcro, which are located on the inside of the elastic band, will securely fix the underwear on the leg.
Knee socks are also a convenient type of compression support, but it is advisable to use it if there are problems not higher than the calf muscles. In addition, wearing golf socks does not always attract young ladies from the aesthetic side - underwear can be visible from under a skirt or dress.
Tights are a popular type of knitwear, especially when the expansion has affected not only the veins on the legs, but also the external genitalia. As for expectant mothers, they rarely choose tights because of the pressure they put on the stomach, as well as additional difficulties when visiting the toilet.

When selecting compression garments, it is worth considering that the beginning of the compression should be 5-10 cm higher than the problem area.

Classes of compression stockings - what are they?

The main task of therapeutic knitwear is to create the correct pressure on different parts of the leg. Depending on the discomfort and manifestations of varicose veins, different degrees of impact on the vessels are required. Stockings are divided according to compression classes (pressure intensity in millimeters of mercury) into the following types:

1st class. Light compression level. The pressure is up to 23 mm. Hg st (18-22).

Expectant mothers can wear such underwear for preventive purposes to reduce the load on the lower limbs, especially if they have to be on their feet for a long time. This class of compression garments can also be prescribed if there is a feeling of fatigue, burning, the first appearance of spider veins, genetic predisposition, i.e. in all cases when there are no obvious manifestations of the disease.

2nd grade. This creates a pressure of up to 33 mm. Hg st (23-33).

This type of compression already belongs to the therapeutic category. Its purpose is associated with the presence of varicose veins in a woman (there are areas of dilated veins, varicose veins), severe swelling, the appearance of cramps with severe pain in the calf muscles at rest (at night), and also if surgery has previously been performed ( including sclerotherapy). How to wear compression stockings during pregnancy in this case? Every day, from the moment you get out of bed until you go to bed.

3rd grade. Products of this class exert pressure in the range of 34-45 mm. Hg Art.

Therapeutic knitwear of this degree of compression is prescribed in the presence of severe venous insufficiency, the manifestation of trophic processes, deep vein thrombosis, lymphatic insufficiency, and after serious surgical interventions on the lower extremities.

4th grade. Characterized by a pressure of more than 50 mm. Hg Art.

Anti-embolic knitwear is used for lymph flow disorders, long-term immobile lifestyle, and during stay in the intensive care unit. For expectant mothers, this type of compression may be prescribed for use during childbirth to reduce the load on the pelvic vessels.

How to choose the right size of compression stockings during pregnancy

To successfully select therapeutic knitwear, it is important to follow several basic rules - choosing the degree of compression you need (determined by the doctor), correctly determining the size of stockings, and also knowing how to properly wear compression stockings during pregnancy. To do this, you need to take several measurements of your legs in the following places:

Leg circumference at the top of the thigh.
Leg circumference in the middle part of the thigh (at a height of 25-30 cm from the knee).
Knee circumference.
Calf circumference (at the widest part, slightly below the knee).
Circumference at ankle level.

In addition, it is necessary to measure the distance from the foot to the top of the thigh (for stockings and tights) or the length of the leg from the foot to the knee (when choosing knee socks). You compare the data obtained with the sizing information provided on the packaging of the compression product, and make your choice. It is important to remember that all measurements must be taken in the morning, since in the evening the leg most often increases slightly, but increases in volume. It is necessary to buy medicinal products exclusively in pharmacies or specialized stores. This way you will minimize the likelihood of purchasing a low-quality product.

How to wear compression stockings correctly during pregnancy

In order for compression stockings to perform their functions as fully as possible, it is important to follow a few simple rules for handling the product:

Underwear (stockings) must be put on in the morning, even before you get out of bed.
While putting on stockings, a woman may experience short-term discomfort in the form of a feeling of tightness and slight coolness, which is normal.
First, you need to completely fix the heel in the product (assembling the latter with an “accordion”), and then straighten the stocking further along the leg.
There is no single answer to the question of how many hours to wear compression stockings during pregnancy. However, most often women wear stockings all day, which is correct. Remove the product before going to bed so that your legs can rest and “work” on their own.
If you are planning water procedures - visiting a bath, shower, swimming pool - you should avoid wearing compression garments during and after the procedure.
Wear stockings only when they are dry and on dry skin.
If you have difficulty putting on stockings (especially when you are pregnant) or you don’t know how to put on compression stockings during pregnancy, get help from your loved ones.

Recommendations for caring for compression stockings for pregnant women

Proper care of compression stockings is a guarantee of their durability.

It is necessary to wash medical knitwear exclusively by hand.
The stockings should be dried naturally by laying them out horizontally on a hard, flat surface. Otherwise, fiber deformation may occur.
The use of washing machines and dryers is prohibited.
To wash the product, use laundry soap and warm water.

Contraindications to wearing compression stockings during pregnancy

Regardless of the degree and form of venous insufficiency, there are practically no restrictions on the use of medicinal products. However, there are a number of conditions that do not allow the use of medicinal products. These include:

Arterial insufficiency.
Open wounds.
Pustular skin lesions.
Cardiopulmonary failure with circulatory impairment even at rest.
Inflammation of the veins.
Diabetes mellitus with complications on the vessels of the extremities.
Atherosclerosis and a number of diseases in which the lumen of blood vessels decreases with a decrease in systolic pressure to 80 mmHg. and below.

Any medical product, and compression stockings belong to this group of products, should be purchased only after consultation with a doctor. Only your doctor will tell you how long to wear compression stockings during pregnancy in your particular case.

Popular brands producing compression stockings for pregnant women

The modern market offers many medicinal products. How not to get confused in such diversity? Pay attention to the manufacturers of compression stockings, whose products have shown good results during use during pregnancy, according to reviews. Among them:

TONUS ELAST (Latvia). The brand is relatively inexpensive. The products are distinguished not only by their pleasant texture, but also by the fact that they fully perform the functions assigned to them - positive dynamics are noted from the first days of wearing. During use, the stockings do not stretch and retain their shape well.
Medi (Germany). The cost of stockings starts from 1300 rubles and above. The manufacturer specializes in the production of anti-varicose products, so knitwear has excellent tactile and performance characteristics.
Intex (Russia). The brand offers a wide range of anti-varicose medical products at an affordable price. Stockings not only have a good healing effect, but also have good workmanship.
Relaxsan (Italy). Products from this manufacturer are inexpensive. And although the range of compression classes and design variations is quite wide, the stockings cannot boast of durability.
Venoteks (USA). A popular brand due to its wide range of models and high-quality workmanship. The price range includes both budget models (1200 rubles) and expensive products (6000-7000 rubles).

To reduce the load on the legs and prevent the development of varicose veins during the period of bearing a child, doctors increasingly recommend wearing compression stockings for pregnant women - therapeutic knitwear. They reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases of the lower extremities not only for 9 months, but even during childbirth and after it. For those who suffer from dilated veins, asterisks, cramps and pain in the legs, such underwear is a real salvation.

Before purchasing this knitwear, which has an amazing effect on your legs, it is better to first find out why pregnant women need compression stockings and whether they are needed specifically in this or that case. Since this is medicinal underwear, it has a number of indications:

chronic venous insufficiency;
tired legs;
swelling by the end of the day;
pain;
cramps in the calf muscles;
phlebeurysm;
thrombosis;
venous, eczema;
spider veins on the legs.

If any of these problems exist or are at least suspected while carrying a child, compression tights for pregnant women or stockings are simply necessary for the normal well-being of the expectant mother and a successful delivery. Their therapeutic effect is obvious:

veins are protected from expansion;
constant pressure is applied to the surface of the leg, which causes blood to actively circulate;
the supply of tissues with oxygen and nutrients improves;
prevents the occurrence of thrombosis and seizures;
the ability of blood vessels to absorb extracellular fluid increases, which leads to the prevention and elimination of edema.

The benefits of such underwear when carrying a child are obvious. It is recommended to wear it even during childbirth, so that the veins do not burst from the tension that the woman experiences at this moment. It is very important to choose the right compression stockings for pregnant women so that they are as comfortable and useful as possible. They are divided into several classes.

Classes

You need to be able to determine the compression class of compression stockings for pregnant women required for a given situation. If preventive underwear can be purchased by any woman in a pharmacy and is freely available, then therapeutic underwear, which includes 4 classes, can only be prescribed by a phlebologist. Accordingly, you can only buy it in a specialized salon using a prescription only. What is the difference between these types of knitwear?

Class 1. The compression created by these stockings (tights) on the legs is up to 23 mm. Hg Art. They are recommended for pregnant women with the appearance of spider veins and pain at the end of the day, with enlarged veins.
Class 2. The pressure distributed by this underwear on the legs does not exceed 33 mm. Hg Art. Used to treat thrombophlebitis and varicose veins in pregnant women.
Class 3. Compression on the legs - no higher than 45 mm. Hg Art. Tights (stockings) of this type are prescribed by a phlebologist for severe venous insufficiency, which is characterized by impaired trophism.
Class 4. The pressure exceeds 50 mm. Hg Art. Underwear of this class eliminates disturbances in lymph flow and eliminates severe swelling caused by this disease.

In addition to the above classes, there are also preventive compression stockings for pregnant women, which can be worn by all expectant mothers to prevent such problems with blood vessels, veins and capillaries in the legs. If a woman is at risk, the observing gynecologist will definitely advise wearing such underwear. The question is which is better - compression stockings or tights for pregnant women, and what is their fundamental difference.

Kinds

Depending on a woman’s individual preferences, she can opt for various types of compression garments - tights, stockings or knee socks. There is also an elastic bandage with the same effect. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Compression socks for pregnant women, they are used if pain, cramps and varicose veins affect only the calf part, without rising higher to the thighs. The inconvenience of this type of underwear is that knee socks do not always look aesthetically pleasing under short dresses and skirts. Although they are ideal for wearing under pants.
Compression stockings- one of the most popular options for this underwear for pregnant women. They look aesthetically pleasing and beautiful on the leg, do not cause discomfort when you need to go to the toilet (which occurs quite often in this position), and do not put pressure on the stomach. The only negative, which, however, is very significant, is that they do not fit well on the foot and often slide down, which disrupts the uniformity of the pressure they exert.
Compression tights for pregnant women they are an excellent alternative to stockings. Their advantages are that they will definitely not slip off your feet and do not need to be constantly pulled up. The disadvantage is the pressure they put on the stomach. Although manufacturers are actively fighting this disadvantage and reducing it to almost nothing.
Compression elastic bandage for pregnant women it is useful only if there are some local problems with the veins in the legs. Phlebologists recommend it extremely rarely to pregnant women.

In addition, you need to know how to choose compression stockings for pregnant women in accordance not only with the class and type of underwear, but also with its size. This affects the correct distribution of pressure across the legs.

Dimensions

To choose the size of compression stockings for pregnant women, you need to take the following leg measurements before purchasing a home:

For stockings:

Circumference of the lower leg above the ankle (in cm);
Circumference of the upper leg under the knee joint (in cm).
Thigh circumference at a distance of 25 cm from the knee (for a woman’s height up to 180 cm). If you are taller, measurements should be taken at a height of 30 cm from the knee joint.
Length of the leg to the point where the thigh circumference was measured.

For tights:

All measurements taken to select compression stockings.
Waist and hip circumference.
Length of the leg from the foot all the way to the groin.

After the dimensions are taken, the data obtained must be compared with the dimensions given in the tables. When purchasing underwear in a specialized salon, show your measurements to the sales consultant, and he will select compression stockings or tights of the required size for you.

Size correspondence table for women's stockings:

Now you know which compression stockings are best for pregnant women and how to choose them correctly to get maximum benefit and comfort from them. All that remains is to learn how to use them, which is not difficult at all.

Terms of use

There are several nuances that will help achieve greater effectiveness from compression garments for pregnant women:

first you need to consult a phlebologist who prescribes the use of compression stockings during pregnancy and after childbirth;
underwear should be selected only to a woman’s individual size;
high-quality compression knitwear comes under the RAL sign - its presence on the packaging indicates a European certificate for the product;
The warranty period for compression underwear for pregnant women is no more than 10 months.

If you follow these recommendations and use the above tips for choosing compression stockings and tights for pregnant women, they will bring maximum comfort and benefit. Protect your legs from excessive stress and varicose veins throughout the entire 9 months. This will allow you to regain your former slimness and beautiful shape after childbirth.

During pregnancy, a woman gains weight, the uterus grows and puts pressure on the lower veins. Because of this, many pregnant women know firsthand what hemorrhoids and varicose veins are. Therefore, during pregnancy, women are recommended to wear special stockings called compression stockings. They distribute the load rationally and evenly.

But even if the expectant mother has not resorted to wearing such therapeutic underwear during the nine months of bearing the baby, she will be advised to buy it before childbirth, both before physiological and before a planned cesarean section. In this material we will tell you for what purposes therapeutic stockings are used during childbirth, how to choose such products, and how to use them.

What it is?

Compression is compression. Compression garments are clothing that fits tightly, compresses, and supports certain parts of the body. First of all, this is necessary for those who have problems with blood circulation. This type of underwear is used by people who, due to professional duties, are forced to remain in an upright position for a long time, as well as professional athletes who experience serious physical exertion.

A pregnant and giving birth woman can be compared to an Olympic athlete, because the stress that her body undergoes sometimes exceeds that of sports. Special therapeutic underwear for legs (stockings) has a compressive effect, the diameter of the veins decreases, and blood begins to circulate faster through the veins of the lower extremities. The compression is distributed unevenly - it is always higher at the ankles than in the thigh area. Since the veins closest to the surface are compressed, the blood flow is rationally distributed into smaller bloodstreams, and they are also involved.

As a result, more blood flows to the heart, pressure rises slightly, and blood congestion in the lower extremities, which causes so much trouble for pregnant women and women in labor, is eliminated. The venous network returns to normal, the feeling of heaviness in the legs decreases.

Such stockings also have another name - anti-embolic or hospital stockings. They come in different types, sizes, and varying degrees of compression. Each specific situation may require stockings of a certain category.

Why are they needed?

The general purpose of medical compression stockings can be very diverse. But a woman may have questions specifically about the use of such underwear during childbirth. This underwear is not considered mandatory, but is strongly recommended in the following cases:

if your legs often swell during pregnancy;
if there is an obvious vascular network, asterisks, or varicose veins have developed;
weight gain during the gestation period exceeded the permissible norms;
if the patient suffers from calf cramps (leg cramps);
if there is a tendency to thrombosis.

During physiological natural childbirth, all the vessels of the female body experience literally cosmic loads. Medical medical underwear will help equalize blood flow, stabilize blood pressure, and maintain the integrity of blood vessels. Under the influence of intra-abdominal pressure, the development of varicose veins of the lower extremities is possible, and this disease quite often develops after childbirth.

If during physiological childbirth stockings are recommended according to indications, then before a cesarean section the Ministry of Health strongly recommends that all pregnant women purchase such a product. During and after the operation, the woman is in a horizontal position for a long time, and the intra-abdominal pressure is just as high. Therefore, there is a very real and tangible risk of postoperative thromboembolism - a dangerous complication in which a blood clot breaks off and blocks the lumen of a vessel.

An alternative in this case is an elastic bandage, which is used to tighten the limbs of the woman in labor before the operation, and which remains on the legs for several days after surgery. But with a bandage it is quite difficult to manually control the degree of compression of the blood vessels. They try to bandage so that the greatest pressure is in the ankle area, and gradually decreases from the shin to the knee and from the knee to the thigh. Another disadvantage is the possibility that the bandage will unravel. The stockings are manufactured with proper pressure distribution in mind and cannot fly off or unravel. Therefore, they have a number of significant advantages over bandaging.

Types and degree of compression

Therapeutic underwear for legs is available in three varieties: knee socks, tights and stockings. Wearing relatively short knee socks is allowed during pregnancy, and only when the expectant mother does not have any special problems with the condition of her veins. They are good for eliminating the feeling of tired legs, because carrying a big belly in late gestation is very difficult.

Tights are not suitable for pregnant women as they have a compressive effect on the abdomen. Compression tights are also not used during childbirth or surgical delivery. The only convenient and optimal option for protecting the legs and blood vessels is stockings. They evenly distribute the load on the vessels along the entire length of the legs - from the ankles to the groin area.

The underwear also differs in the degree of compression. This is a very important indicator that must be taken into account when choosing medical products. There are four levels of compression.

1st class products- the compression level is no higher than 23 millimeters of mercury. Such elastic products are great for use while carrying a baby, if there are no particular vascular problems or they are minor and limited to spider veins and a feeling of heaviness in the limbs. Suitable for childbirth, but only on condition that the woman does not have problems with blood vessels, and she takes the product to the maternity hospital solely for prevention.
Class 2 products- the compression level is estimated at 23-33 millimeters of mercury. Such stockings are usually used by women who have varicose veins in the very early stages of development. These products are the best choice for elective caesarean section as they are an excellent way to avoid deep vein thrombosis.
Class 3 products- the level of compression reaches 45 millimeters of mercury. They find their use for moderate and severe varicose veins, for deep thrombosis, and for changes in trophic properties.
Class 4 products- compression level is above 50 millimeters of mercury. Stockings are used for severe thrombosis, severe congenital anomalies of the vessels of the extremities, and for serious pathologies of the lymph outflow process. Like third-class stockings, they are used during the birth process only if the woman in labor has the listed problems. For preventive purposes, in the absence of problems with veins and blood vessels, they are usually not used.

There is another type of stockings - generic ones, created directly for women in labor, in which the pressure is distributed evenly over the entire area of the product. In addition, they do not have a sock, and the obstetrician during childbirth can determine by the color of the toes whether everything is in order with the blood supply to the lower extremities.

If there are no special indications for wearing therapeutic knitwear, then you can limit yourself to just such stockings. If they are absent, it is quite possible to use any compression stockings that were listed above, usually 1-2.

How to choose the right size?

If the compression is chosen correctly, but the woman miscalculated the size, then achieving the desired effect from wearing therapeutic medical underwear will be problematic: large stockings will not create the desired compression effect, and small ones will excessively tighten the legs and interfere with blood circulation.

Therefore, before purchasing, you need to take measurements of your feet. To do this, take a soft measuring tape and record the following dimensions:

minimum girth of the lower leg near the ankle;
maximum girth of the shin at its widest point;
step back 25-27 centimeters from the knee and measure the circumference of the thigh;
measure the length of your legs from heels to groin.

These parameters are enough to select the product of the right size. Anti-embolic stockings have a specific size chart, which must be consulted after taking the above measurements.

How to wear after childbirth?

When can anti-embolic stockings be removed after childbirth is over is a controversial question. Much depends on how healthy the mother’s blood vessels and veins were before childbirth, as well as on the method and manner in which the birth itself took place.

If a caesarean section was performed and the woman is healthy, then it should be borne in mind that some drugs used by anesthesiologists for pain relief have the property of dilating blood vessels. Therefore, in the first days, therapeutic knitwear is worn constantly, they sleep in it, and they walk in it. After a week, a woman can begin to take off her stockings, but only at night. The general amount of time it is recommended to wear compression garments is about two weeks.

After physiological childbirth, in the absence of problems with blood vessels, in particular, and blood circulation in general, it is allowed to remove the stockings after 4-6 days.

But these terms apply only to healthy women who wore medical underwear solely to prevent unwanted complications.

If a new mother has previously had problems with veins and blood vessels, then the timing of wearing underwear is determined individually by the attending physician or a phlebologist.

The best manufacturers: review and cost

Today, numerous manufacturers offer women a variety of models of therapeutic underwear. It should be noted that not everything that is called compression actually is. There are a lot of fakes in this product segment. Therefore, when choosing, it is better to give preference to trusted companies that produce anti-varicose stockings. Here are just a few of the names that doctors and patients say they can trust.

Relaxsan

A company from Italy that produces its products using a double-braid mesh weave method. The line has three compression classes. Russian women are familiar with this brand of products; the manufacturer has been present on the medical knitwear market for a long time. The prices are very reasonable and attractive - you can buy stockings for childbirth for only 1400-1600 rubles. But, according to reviews, the stockings are not wear-resistant and durable; they are not worn for more than two months.

This is an excellent option for childbirth, but during pregnancy it is better to choose a more wear-resistant product so as not to overpay.

VENOTEKS

These products are made in the USA. The uniqueness lies in the fact that this is perhaps one of the few manufacturers that takes into account the body features of women with wide hips. The line of models includes stockings specifically for ladies with wide hips. Only natural and hypoallergenic materials are used; there are quite a lot of models. Prices start from 1,700 to 4,500 rubles per pair. According to reviews, the stockings wear quite well for a long time, do not stretch, and the silicone elastic bands do not weaken.

Mediven medi

The line of these products is manufactured in Germany. These are very durable and reliable stockings with anti-varicose action. They have practically no disadvantages, except that the price is rather high. Such products cost between 3000-6500 rubles. But you can wear them not only during pregnancy and childbirth, but also later, as needed, because there can be a lot of situations in life in which the vessels of the legs suffer. After prolonged use, the stockings do not lose their shape or appearance.

SIGVARIS

Swiss quality and Swiss precision – these two concepts can quite succinctly characterize such medical products. Different colors, different fabric base for silicone elastic: satin, cotton. There are also rubber models that are needed for women with serious vascular problems. The cost is high, the starting price for low compression stockings is from 2500 rubles, the most expensive high compression stockings cost about 10 thousand rubles.

Ergoforma

This Italian manufacturer has a long history and a worldwide reputation; the company has been operating in the anti-varicose underwear market since 1936. These stockings are very popular among women, since their cost starts from only 850 rubles. However, stockings are not particularly wear-resistant. But it’s quite possible to take them to the maternity hospital.

Whatever brand of products you choose, remember about compression and size range. Some items have their own size chart. Therefore, be sure to check it out on the manufacturer’s website.

To learn how to put on compression stockings correctly, watch the following video.