Compression socks can alleviate swollen legs and feet while you’re pregnant.
If you’ve been pregnant, you know how hard it gets to move the closer you get to your due date. You’ve probably felt discomfort in your legs and may have even developed varicose veins or the famous pregnancy swollen ankles and feet, better known as “cankles.” Puffy, squishy and fluid-filled…it’s a real party (not).
Did you know that pregnancy increases a woman’s risk for developing varicose veins, spider veins and life-threatening blood clots or DVTs (deep vein thrombosis)? During pregnancy, our circulation, especially in our legs, is compromised for many reasons, including:
- Higher estrogen levels make our blood more likely to clot.
- The pressure the baby puts on our veins can diminish our blood flow.
- An overall decrease in our activity, both during and after pregnancy.
Possible injury during delivery can also increase our risk, even more so following a cesarean section. But did you know that women are at a higher risk for blood clots after pregnancy than during pregnancy? Studies note that this risk can last from two to six weeks. Obesity, age and a family history of blood clots are factors that can further elevate our risk.
If you’re pregnant, consider wearing compression socks. And, it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor to make sure that you are doing all that you can to have a healthy pregnancy, a healthy baby and a healthy you. Compression can help!
