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What are compression stockings for childbirth? How to choose elastic compression stockings for childbirth

Many women know that compression stockings are indicated for surgical interventions, childbirth, long hospital stays, bed rest, and, in principle, for any physical activity. Well, childbirth is, on average, a 10-hour marathon with an increased level of stress and strain on a woman’s body. Therefore, any form of relief for them is a serious and to the point conversation!

In our country, the recommendation of obstetricians and gynecologists that women in labor wear compression stockings is still an innovation, but justified and certainly very useful. After all, prevention is not an empty phrase, but a real fight against a problem that every woman faces in one way or another. The fight against varicose veins is a difficult and methodical thing, it is difficult to make bets and forecasts on it, but experts assure that constant wearing of stockings during pregnancy, during childbirth and for some time after definitely increases the chances that your legs will remain beautiful and healthy.

We trust specialists, but most of all – our own. Therefore, we asked young mothers to ask their questions, and Diana Mardas, an obstetrician-gynecologist at the 5th City Clinical Hospital, to answer them and explain in simple language how to put on stockings and where to use them, and to suggest a few of the Tonus Elast compression garment brand "lifehacks".

Obstetrician-gynecologist, head of the “MamaPro” project

The attending physician recommended stockings with a certain compression class. What exactly is a compression stocking grade? How to choose stockings for childbirth, and how - for preventive purposes?

– As a rule, compression classes 1 and 2 are used during childbirth. Compression class is the degree of pressure that the stocking exerts on soft tissues and blood vessels. If before giving birth a woman did not experience any discomfort and she did not have any prerequisites for varicose veins, the corresponding diagnoses were not made earlier, and spider veins did not appear during pregnancy, then the first class of compression is sufficient for the period of pregnancy and childbirth. If you have a diagnosis of “varicose veins” or chronic venous insufficiency, then you should start with the second compression class.

The first compression class can be selected independently with the help of competent recommendations from specialists in specialized medical equipment stores (for example, Medprostor, MedMagazin, Care and Health, etc.) and in some pharmacies. An obstetrician-gynecologist can also help with choosing stockings for childbirth. But starting from the second level of compression and if there are indications, a phlebologist can provide competent information, who will individually determine the product that is right for you.

"Life hack" from Tonus Elast:

  1. Be sure to pay attention to the inscription on the packaging. There should be the following information: compression class and pressure in millimeters of mercury. If there is no such information, then, most likely, this is not a medical device, so you should not expect a therapeutic and prophylactic effect.
  2. The concept of den has nothing to do with the compression class, and such marks on stockings indicate the density of the knitwear, and also that the stockings do not have the correct compression properties.

If a woman wore compression garments during pregnancy, will they also be suitable for childbirth? Or do you need stockings with other characteristics/sizes?

- This is not prohibited. But there is a special hospital type of stockings. These stockings were developed for those who are undergoing surgical treatment and delivery, as well as for those who are forced to lie down for a long time or simply need to wear stockings for a long time. Indeed, in such situations, the risk of formation and separation of a blood clot increases many times over! They differ both in their functional properties and in color. Hospital stockings have a special knitting that allows you to maintain compression for 3-5 days without removing them. They are white so that you can quickly determine the color of the discharge, since in the case of black or beige stockings, the nature of the discharge may be distorted. There is also a special hole on the foot, which allows you to control peripheral blood circulation and gives access to treat your toes without removing the stockings.

Here I would like to point out the following: during pregnancy and during childbirth, we look at compression hosiery a little differently. During pregnancy, there is indeed a load on the venous system; it is difficult for blood to rise up through the veins to the heart, because the pregnant uterus compresses the vessels and prevents the blood flow system from working from bottom to top. Therefore, by wearing compression hosiery during pregnancy, we support the vascular wall and help it lift blood up. At the same time, the vascular wall itself strains less, remains more intact, and the woman’s risk of developing varicose veins in the future is reduced. During childbirth, add to the difficult upward outflow of blood and the altered composition of the blood a long stay in a horizontal position.

After childbirth, it is not recommended to get up for 5-6 hours; during childbirth, the risk of thromboembolism, the formation of blood clots and the fact that they can move throughout the body, be thrown around and clog vital vessels, increases significantly. This is very dangerous! It is because the blood stagnates in the lower parts of the leg and foot that it thickens and clots can form. They can change later, for example, when a woman gets up too early and starts walking after childbirth. Therefore, in the first hours after childbirth, stockings are even more important. In no case does having a baby mean taking off your stockings right away! This is one of the typical mistakes: many mothers believe that stockings are only needed for childbirth. No: before childbirth, during childbirth and after it!

"Life hack" from Tonus Elast: Having perfect legs now, after nine months of hard efforts, the walls of the blood vessels become so tired and injured that later, even six months to a year after giving birth, problems with varicose veins may appear. A woman may not even connect this with pregnancy, although the connection is direct. This is why you should continue to wear compression stockings for 4-6 months after giving birth.

The doctor warned that after giving birth the stockings should not be removed immediately. So how long should you stay in stockings after giving birth?

– The instructions say - for the entire period of reduced activity. But here the question of hygiene of a woman who has just given birth becomes logical. Therefore, my recommendation is this: be sure to stay in stockings for 5-6 hours after giving birth, then take them off after walking vertically for some time, and not immediately (preferably within an hour). Thus, we wait out the dangerous moment when the blood clot may begin to rise through the vascular system. In part, the stockings do the work for the vessels.

I would like to emphasize that the period of changing body position from horizontal to vertical is the most dangerous in terms of thromboembolism. In addition, the blood after childbirth is thicker for physiological reasons (the woman sweated and did not drink liquid for a long time), which is also a risk factor. When it comes to a caesarean section, the woman certainly needs to wear compression stockings. The risk of thromboembolism during cesarean section increases even more due to many factors, including the fact that the woman lies for a long time without changing her body position.

"Life hack" from a doctor: as mentioned above, stay in an upright position for an hour and only then, for hygienic purposes, you can remove the stockings and, if you have them, immediately put on a second pair. If not, tidy up your existing stockings and put them on the next morning before getting out of bed.

Is it difficult to put on stockings? If a woman wants to take a shower during contractions, is it possible to leave her stockings on during this time?

– Yes, indeed, it is difficult for a pregnant woman to put on stockings. What to do? Call the medical staff or your birth partner if the birth is partnered. What to do with showers and water procedures during childbirth? It is important to understand why water procedures are needed during childbirth. For pain relief. This could be a bidet or shower. Difficulties can arise only with the shower. In this case, there is no ideal solution; you will have to choose: either compression stockings or a shower. The third option is wet compression stockings after a shower, which is extremely uncomfortable. A large percentage of births take place under spinal anesthesia - these women are unlikely to need a shower. In the process of preparing for childbirth, I recommend learning to breathe correctly, doing self-massage, and teaching your partner to control the breathing of the woman in labor.

"Life hack" from a doctor: When choosing compression stockings, women should give preference to other methods of pain relief: breathing, massage, other water procedures (a bidet allows you to take the correct sitting position during childbirth and have comfortable contact with water).

To summarize: while carrying a baby, body weight increases, the amount of blood increases and blood flow increases, and hormonal levels change. Unfortunately, a rosy period in the life of an expectant mother is often overshadowed by illnesses. And, if everyone has already heard about toxicosis and the prevention of stretch marks, then a woman often encounters varicose veins for the first time during pregnancy, previously unaware of her genetic predisposition. But you can rely not only on genes, but also engage in comfortable prevention, because pregnancy, no matter how strange it may sound, is a favorable time for the development of pathology. Therefore, Tonus Elast compression socks, stockings and tights are well-known favorites among pregnant women for the very reason that they relieve fatigue and swelling of the legs, provide maximum comfort, prevent the appearance of varicose veins and look like ordinary beautiful tights or stockings.

Take care of yourself and your feet!

Giving birth in stockings is becoming increasingly popular. And we are not talking about seductive fishnet underwear - neither the doctor, nor the child, nor even you will have any time for aesthetics during childbirth. Women are increasingly wearing medical compression stockings during childbirth, which, however, can compete with dignity in appearance.

You may hear or read that all doctors recommend that pregnant women wear compression stockings during childbirth or bandage their legs with elastic bandages. In fact, expectant mothers learn about such devices and their benefits mostly from friends.

Compression garments are designed to protect the legs from excessive stress, as well as to prevent and treat diseases and complications associated with the condition of veins and blood vessels. Most often, indications for wearing such underwear are varicose veins and thrombophlebitis. Compression socks, stockings and tights are recommended to prevent the appearance of spider veins, spider veins, swelling, feelings of fatigue and tension in the legs, as well as in the pre- and postoperative period. Depending on the indications and the expected effect (therapeutic or preventive), the specialist prescribes one of four degrees of compression. During pregnancy and childbirth, preventive compression stockings are usually used, but if the expectant mother has problems with the veins, then the phlebologist should prescribe compression stockings for her individually. A consultant at a pharmacy or specialty store will help you choose the right size.

During pregnancy, compression stockings will serve you well: such stockings will not only make pregnancy easier, but will also help you avoid many potential problems. But even if you went without stockings for the entire period, it makes sense to buy them specifically for childbirth.

Compression stockings in a special way create and distribute pressure on the vessels of the legs, weakening towards the upper part. That is, in the calf area it is maximum, and gradually decreases to a minimum towards the hips. This promotes better blood flow and prevents stagnation of blood in the vessels, stretching of their walls and them, which is an excellent prevention of the appearance of venous mesh, tubercles, and in the postpartum period.

Maternity compression stockings will serve you well after the baby is born, especially since they look and wear great. During pregnancy, it is better to choose stockings made from natural cotton thread. All of them are made without seams, with special weaving so that they do not squeeze anywhere, do not cause discomfort and allow air to pass through well. However, stockings marked RAL are of high quality (these meet the international standard) - pay attention to this.

It’s not easy to put on compression stockings for childbirth, so it’s better to “get ready” at home, before leaving for the maternity hospital - then there may not be time for that. It's good if someone close to you helps you. If there is no one, then do not despair: midwives help everyone.

Of course, compression stockings will not give you a 100% guarantee that after childbirth you will not have varicose veins or other complications with your veins and legs, but they will greatly increase your chances of a positive outcome. However, not everyone sees them as worthwhile. Some people believe that if there is a predisposition, then no stockings will help, and vice versa. However, over time, compression garments are increasingly used not only during pregnancy, but also during childbirth, as well as after the birth of a child.

Especially for- Elena Kichak

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 is not yet 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 ease 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 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 pathologies of pregnancy, 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 counterfeits. 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-toed 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 with RAL markings. You should not hang 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.

Special anti-embolic stockings for childbirth are now recommended for almost all women in labor, regardless of the presence or absence of varicose veins. Stockings are necessary for expectant mothers to prevent thrombosis: during childbirth, the vessels of the lower extremities experience enormous stress, and blood clots can form in the deep veins. Thrombosis is a dangerous complication that threatens the life of the mother in labor, and stockings are necessary to reduce the risk. The development of thrombosis is possible with any method of delivery: stockings or elastic leg bandages are recommended both for natural physiological childbirth and for caesarean section. For women in labor with varicose veins and vascular diseases, wearing special stockings is recommended not only during childbirth, but also in late pregnancy to reduce the load on the deep veins of the lower extremities.

How are compression stockings prescribed?

If a woman does not have any vascular pathologies, stockings during childbirth are needed for preventive purposes. They will help prevent swelling and relieve excess tension. For such women in labor, the simplest stockings with a minimal degree of compression are suitable. Elastic bandages can be used instead of stockings.

If a woman in labor has vascular pathologies or suffers from varicose veins, she needs specialized compression stockings, which the attending physician will help you choose. Stockings should be worn for varicose veins before childbirth, during labor and for some time after childbirth or caesarean section. They evenly distribute pressure and normalize blood flow in the vessels of the legs, preventing the appearance of stagnation and blood clots. After a caesarean section, stockings or bandages should be removed only after the woman in labor is allowed to stand up and walk around the room. In case of varicose veins, within a couple of weeks after childbirth, instead of stockings, the doctor may prescribe special compression stockings to the woman in labor.

Which stockings to choose?

When choosing stockings, you should give preference to products made from natural cotton thread with a minimal addition of synthetic fiber. There are no seams in high-quality stockings. This will provide maximum comfort and allow the skin to breathe.

The use of stockings during childbirth is not a guarantee that the woman will not subsequently develop a vascular pattern characteristic. However, this precaution is necessary to significantly reduce the risk of vascular problems.

During the nine months of pregnancy, a woman's body experiences enormous stress. The mother’s circulatory system becomes especially vulnerable during this period, so in the last trimester, phlebologists advise the use of compression garments. Many mothers wonder why they need knitted stockings with compression properties and which brands are best for women carrying a baby.

What are compression stockings and what types do they come in?

During pregnancy, a woman gains weight, which can cause blood vessel diseases. Significantly increasing in size, the uterus begins to put pressure on the arteries, which contributes to the formation of congestion in the large vessels of the lower extremities.

Compression stockings are recommended for women to wear during pregnancy and childbirth to reduce the risk of damage to large and small vessels and prevent vein thrombosis. Anti-varicose stockings help distribute pressure evenly over the entire surface of the legs.

To make this kind of underwear, natural and synthetic materials are used. Most models of stockings are made of medical knitwear with high compression characteristics.

Compression, anti-embolic, hospital - is there a difference?

Compression garments are knitted products that, due to their tight fit, provide compression to the legs, supporting the fibers of the muscle tissue. They help eliminate swelling and distribute blood flow evenly.

These stockings are intended for pregnant women. They are recommended to be worn in the last months of pregnancy to prevent the development of diseases of the vascular system. With the help of such therapeutic underwear, the load on the legs is correctly distributed, and the abdominal area is not compressed.

Anti-embolic, or hospital, stockings are called stockings for childbirth or surgery, characterized by a high level of compression near the ankle. This allows you to stimulate the flow of blood to the heart when a woman has a natural birth or abdominal surgery (caesarean section) and the mobility of the lower extremities is limited.


The level of compression (pressure on the walls of the veins) gradually decreases from the ankles to the thighs, accelerates the outflow of blood and prevents backflow. As a result, when using anti-embolic stockings, the risk of vein blockage is reduced, swelling and a feeling of heaviness in the legs are reduced.


Compression garments for pregnant women

Elastic stockings during pregnancy should be worn not only when symptoms of diseases of the vascular system appear, but also for preventive purposes. When the load on the veins is distributed evenly due to different levels of compression, their elasticity increases significantly.

As the fetus grows, the mother's blood becomes more viscous, which leads to impaired blood flow. Compression stockings help eliminate congestion in the legs and also improve blood movement through the veins, which leads to better saturation of biological fluid with nutrients and oxygen.

Stockings for women in labor

Compression stockings for childbirth are needed to improve blood circulation and maintain muscle tone during the birth of the baby. Redistribution of the load in the lower extremities greatly facilitates the task of the mother in labor.

Anti-embolic stockings are recommended to be worn for some time after childbirth or surgical delivery in order to quickly restore health, as well as to avoid varicose veins and inflammation of the venous walls. It should be remembered that the positive effect of underwear will only be if you put it on and wear it regularly for a certain period of time.


How to choose suitable stockings for childbirth?

The maximum effect from compression underwear can be obtained only if the model is chosen correctly and the size corresponds to the parameters of the expectant mother. Before purchasing stockings for pregnant women, a woman should consult a phlebologist who will help you choose a knitwear product. If stockings are chosen incorrectly, wearing them will lead to discomfort and pain.

How to determine the size?

Before buying lingerie, a pregnant woman needs to measure her legs. This should be done in the morning - before swelling appears. Using a measuring tape you should measure:

  • Ankle circumference above the ankle.
  • Girth of the upper calf below the knee.
  • Thigh circumference in an area located 25 cm above the knee joint. If the expectant mother’s height is more than 180 cm, this gap increases to 30 cm.
  • Leg length equal to the distance from the hip (at the level where the measurement was taken) to the foot.


Based on the measurements received, the sales consultant will be able to select a knitwear product of the appropriate size. To make an independent choice, a pregnant woman can use the existing size charts, which in most cases are presented on product packaging. Some manufacturers provide numbering of sizes in numbers (from 1 to 7), but most often the sizes of stockings are indicated in Latin letters (S, M, L, XL, XXL, Q, Q+)

Compression level

There are four degrees of compression, which correspond to knitted underwear for pregnant women and women in labor. Only a surgeon or phlebologist can determine what degree of compression a woman needs. To determine the physiological characteristics of the vascular system of the expectant mother, he will need the results of an ultrasound scan of the veins, which can be used to determine the location of large vessels, the speed of blood flow, the presence of narrowings and the size of the gaps in them.

Compression stockings 1 are recommended for pregnant women whose legs become very tired in the evening and spider veins form on the skin. The second degree of compression will benefit women diagnosed with varicose veins or thrombophlebitis.

Knitwear for expectant mothers with the third degree of compression must be worn in case of severe vascular diseases and poor nutrition. Products with the highest compression class 4 will help pregnant women with severe lymph circulation disorders cope with painful symptoms.


Popular product brands

Compression hosiery underwear is represented on the market by several well-known brands:

  1. The domestic manufacturer “Intex” has been producing inexpensive, high-quality knitwear for more than 18 years, which is not inferior in its characteristics to foreign analogues. Stockings for expectant mothers have small holes in the toe section to allow observation of the sensitivity and blood circulation of the toes.
  2. The Medi company from Germany occupies a leading position in the production of compression hosiery for medical purposes. To prevent venous thrombosis in pregnant women, the “mediven thrombexin 18” series has been developed. Hypoallergenic underwear with graduated compression of this brand can be worn after childbirth until the veins are restored. The size of such products is marked on the heel in the form of a color code.
  3. Knitwear with compression characteristics of the Sigvaris brand is manufactured in Switzerland. Most professional doctors prefer this brand, since the products do not cause allergic reactions and are characterized by wear resistance, aesthetics and preservation of compression properties during the intended service life.


When and how to put on and how long to wear stockings?

Pregnant women should put on elastic knitwear immediately after waking up, without getting up, and take it off immediately before going to bed. Models with cutouts in the toe area are easier to pull onto a nylon sock, after which it can be removed. The stocking, pre-assembled into an accordion, is distributed more evenly along the leg.

Medical products made from compression material have good wear resistance. The stockings that a woman wore during pregnancy can be taken with her to the maternity hospital. If they are damaged during wear, it is better to purchase new, anti-embolic ones for childbirth.

During childbirth, knitted stockings are put on at the moment when the first contractions begin. This is quite difficult, so it is better to turn to relatives for help.

Women are also recommended to wear compression garments after childbirth, but not for too long. If the delivery went without complications, you don’t have to wear them after a week. To find out how long to wear stockings if the condition of the veins has not improved, you need to consult a specialist.