Pregnancy is a period of increased attention to the health of the woman and the unborn baby.
The life of a pregnant woman can be overshadowed by severe swelling, she is overcome by fatigue, burning, itching in the calf area. And the surface of the legs may become covered with spider veins or spider veins. The situation is aggravated by a hereditary predisposition to varicose veins.
In such cases, compression garments can help. The best option for pregnant women is compression stockings. They are comfortable to wear and do not put pressure on your expanding belly. And, what is especially important in the last trimester, they are comfortable when visiting the toilet frequently.
Features of compression knitwear
Compression underwear does not cause allergies when worn - it is made of dense elastic natural material. However, during the first time of wearing, unpleasant sensations are possible: a feeling of tightness, coldness. There is no need to worry - this is a normal reaction.
In order for compression products to “work” and help the legs cope with the troubles associated with varicose veins, they must be worn all day. Stockings should be put on in the morning, before getting out of bed, and removed only before going to bed. For convenience, you need to find a place for them next to the bed. If the woman needs to take a shower or swim, or if the expectant mother visits the pool, they are removed and not worn again until the next morning.
In the last stages of pregnancy, it may be difficult to put on stockings. At this time, you should ask your loved ones for help. After all, the quality of compression and the health of a pregnant woman’s legs depend on whether they are worn correctly.
Therapeutic linen requires careful care. Washing any medical knitwear is allowed only by hand in warm water using baby or laundry soap. Squeeze should be moderate, this will help preserve the fibers and their compression effect. It is forbidden to dry anti-varicose items in a dryer, only naturally on a hard horizontal surface.
Choosing stockings based on compression class
Based on the effect compression knitwear has on the legs, products are divided into 2 groups.
The first group combines models with a preventive effect (up to 18 mm Hg).
Reference. These types can be bought without a doctor’s prescription and in appearance they resemble ordinary things made of nylon.
Intended for both pregnant women and all other persons at risk of developing varicose veins.
The second group contains models with a therapeutic effect. To purchase them, you need to get a prescription issued by a phlebologist, and then visit special departments in pharmacy or retail chains. The required compression class is determined by phlebologists.
4 compression classes
The first (up to 23 mm Hg.Art.). Apply for preventive purposes. Reduces stress, relieves the feeling of heaviness and fatigue. Stockings of this class are worn in the absence of obvious signs of varicose veins.
Second (up to 33 mmHg). This class and all subsequent ones belong to the category of medicinal. Indications for use: veins are dilated, varicose nodes have appeared, convulsions and severe swelling are observed. It is also used after vein surgery. The time of use is constant, except for night sleep.
Third (up to 45 mm Hg. Art.). Indications for use: severe venous insufficiency, thrombosis, lymphedema and major surgerycarried out earlier.
Fourth (above 50 mm Hg). Underwear with such compression is also called anti-embolic. It is prescribed for long periods of immobility, for example, in the intensive care unit. As for pregnant women, These stockings are recommended to be worn during childbirth.
How to choose the right stocking size
To choose the right size correctly, you need to measure the following indicators with a regular measuring tape.
- Calf circumference: at the bottom (above the ankle), at the widest part, at the top (below the knee).
- Thigh circumference: 25–30 cm above the knee.
- Leg length: from the floor to the point where the hip circumference was measured
Important! It is recommended to take these measurements in the morning, as soon as you wake up, when your legs are not yet swollen.
The obtained measurements must be recorded and shown to a sales consultant at a pharmacy or specialty store. He will help you choose the right size compression stockings.
Helpful tips for choosing compression stockings for pregnant women
- You cannot choose compression garments without permission; this can only be done by a phlebologist. If you choose on your own, there is a risk of aggravating the situation.
- For optimal distribution of compression, you need to buy stockings strictly according to size. During pregnancy, a woman gains some weight, but it is not worth buying “for growth”.
- You need to purchase any medicinal products in reliable places: pharmacies or specialized stores. When buying on the market, you can buy a fake.
- If you find it difficult to choose, you can study the reviews and advice of other pregnant women, they will help you decide.
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