Compression stockings are an important item that should be offered to all pregnant women, no matter their weight, age, or medical history. In pregnancy, swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet occurs due to the extra pressure of the growing baby on the mother's body. As the fetus grows larger, the heart has to work harder to pump blood around the circulatory system, and veins dilate to adjust. Since dilated veins work much less efficiently than normal one, this leads to swelling in the lower extremities. Compression stockings alleviate this problem by providing graduated pressure that promotes venous return and good circulation up from the legs. In doing so, it decreases the accumulation of extra fluid in the legs and feet.
This type of support hose is covered by most insurance carriers when presented with a prescription. Many doctors recognize the benefits of compression stockings and often recommend them to meet the pregnant woman's needs.
The compression stockings are designed to fit snugly. If they seem loose or unable to be pulled up with moderate effort, the size is most likely incorrect. It's important to return an item that doesn't fit well because the wrong size may exacerbate the problem and cause more swelling instead of reducing it. Many online stores and supply houses feature charts to measure the legs to determine the proper size. Typical measurements include the circumference of the ankle, calf and thigh, plus the length of the leg. Be sure to provide enough information for a correct fit.
Support hose should be used on a daily basis and are available in a variety of fabrics and styles to go with any type of outfit. They should to be taken off before bedtime, unless your doctor suggests otherwise.
In addition to decreasing swelling in the ankles and feet, the stockings can help prevent the condition known as varicose veins. These are often seen in the legs as red or purple bulging masses of swollen veins, and are a feature common in pregnancy. They can occur in other areas of the body as well, but the legs are the most likely place to develop them.
Wearing compression stockings can soothe the veins by compressing them and helping blood flow. Even women with a predisposition to varicose veins, or a pregnancy with twins, triplets or more multiples, can have her risk reduced by half with the daily use of maternity support hose. Compression stockings ease the burden a pregnancy places on women's bodies by offering vital support to leg veins and minimizing any swelling.
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