More and more women are choosing to wear stockings when going to the hospital. And we're not talking about seductive underwear - no, these stockings are designed to prevent problems with leg veins. We are talking about special compression hosiery.

Compression stockings during childbirth

Compression underwear is a special medical underwear that puts pressure on the human body in order to prevent swelling and improve blood circulation in the veins. It is made from natural and synthetic fibers - cotton, nylon, elastodene. This type of underwear is thicker and stronger than conventional nylon products; it is used for medicinal and preventive purposes. Compression stockings and tights are designed in such a way that the pressure decreases from bottom to top, that is, blood moves more freely and more easily from the foot towards the heart. Compression hosiery can be used for both therapeutic and preventive purposes.

During childbirth, the blood vessels of the female body experience severe overload. This tension is especially dangerous for the vessels of the legs, and blood clots can form in the deep veins of the lower extremities. The presence of such blood clots provokes the occurrence of thrombosis or thrombophlebitis, dangerous diseases with negative consequences, including death. Compression stockings are designed to reduce these risks:

• pressure equally distributed over the entire surface of the legs helps to establish uniform blood flow; constant pressure has a positive effect on the condition of blood vessels;
• pressure in the vessels increases, which reduces the chance of blood stagnation;
• Compression garments protect blood vessels from possible overloads during childbirth.

The appearance of spider veins on the legs is one of the symptoms of problems with veins and blood vessels

Instead of special stockings, elastic bandages are sometimes used to wrap the legs from the foot to the groin - they perform a similar role. An elastic bandage is cheaper than underwear, but during childbirth it can unravel; in addition, it is difficult to choose the right degree of pressure on the legs, so if there are indications, it is better to purchase stockings.

Even small fluctuations in pressure in the vessels can cause them to weaken and reveal spider veins on the legs, which not only does not look very beautiful, but also indicates the initial degree of varicose veins of the legs. To avoid this, you should not neglect your doctor’s recommendations if he advises you to use compression garments, and if he does not raise this topic, then ask yourself about measures to prevent problems with leg veins.

Video: why do you need stockings for childbirth?

Should everyone use them?

Many women are sure that compression garments during pregnancy and childbirth are only required for those expectant mothers who have already been diagnosed with vein problems. In fact, phlebologists - doctors who deal with venous pathologies - recommend using them, among other things, as prophylaxis to avoid varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, thrombosis and other vein pathologies. This is especially important if a pregnant woman experiences the following symptoms:

• spider veins or spider veins on the legs;
• swelling of the lower extremities;
• feeling tired or ;
• cramps in the calf muscles;
• varicose veins;
• chronic venous insufficiency;
• thrombosis;
• venous eczema and/or dermatitis.

Is it possible to wear the same stockings that were worn during pregnancy?

Compression garments are divided into 4 classes depending on the pressure applied. A specialist should choose the right class of underwear for a pregnant woman, depending on the severity of her vein problems. If at the time of childbirth the condition of the woman’s vascular system allows her to use the same stockings that she wore during pregnancy, then it is entirely acceptable to wear them. But it is worth remembering that one of the main conditions for clothing used during childbirth is sterility, so stockings must be thoroughly washed before going to the maternity hospital.

You should wash compression hosiery carefully and carefully, using gentle washing powders and be sure to thoroughly rinse the laundry in clean water. It is not recommended to twist or wring out the laundry, as this can ruin the fine structure of the fibers; it is better to dry them flat on a horizontal surface.

Are stockings needed for a caesarean section?

If the need for stockings during natural childbirth is quite clear, then the question of the need for underwear during a caesarean section confuses many. The reason why compression stockings are also important for this method of delivery is that a cesarean section is an abdominal operation, and during it the blood vessels experience additional stress. When performing such an operation, the veins dilate, and the woman remains in a horizontal motionless state for a long time, which can provoke the onset of thromboembolism. In addition, the pregnant woman is given anesthesia, the components of which can negatively affect the entire cardiovascular system of her body.

Types, classes and sizes of compression garments

Compression hosiery for the lower extremities comes in 3 types:

• knee socks - reach only to the middle of the thigh, are used only during pregnancy and exclusively in cases where problems with veins and blood vessels do not affect the upper part of the legs; when wearing them, pressure on the hip area increases;
• tights are undesirable for use during long periods of pregnancy, as they put pressure on the abdominal area; in addition, for obvious reasons, they cannot be used during childbirth;
• stockings are the best option for compression underwear; they evenly distribute the load from the feet to the groin, protecting the blood vessels along the entire length of the legs.

Photo gallery: types of compression garments for legs

Socks are allowed to be worn only if there are no problems with the veins in the thigh area. Tights are not recommended for wearing for a long period of time, as they put pressure on the stomach
Stockings are considered the best option, as they evenly distribute pressure along the entire length of the legs.

Therapeutic underwear is divided into 4 compression classes depending on the pressure it puts on the legs:

• Class 1 - compression does not exceed 23 millimeters of mercury; recommended for early stages of venous disease, characterized by a tendency to edema, spider veins, and tired legs; can be used as a prophylactic against varicose veins during pregnancy;
• class 2 - pressure is within the range of 24–33 mm; used in the initial stage of varicose veins in pregnant women, for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis of the legs, in acute thrombophlebitis;
• Class 3 - compression does not exceed 45 mmHg; used for moderate and severe damage to blood vessels and veins, for varicose veins complicated by trophic disorders, for deep vein thrombosis and lymphovenous insufficiency;
• Class 4 - pressure above 50 mm; Recommended for wearing in cases of congenital anomalies of the circulatory and lymphatic systems, and in case of severe disturbances of lymph flow.

Special stockings for childbirth are allocated in a separate class. The compression in them is distributed evenly along the entire length of the product. Another distinctive feature is the open toe, which allows the obstetrician during childbirth to determine the correctness of blood circulation by the appearance of the fingers. It is advisable to wear them during childbirth, but if it is not possible to purchase stockings of this class, then you can use medicinal ones, after consulting with a phlebologist.

To determine the required size of compression stockings, you need to make a series of measurements, since an accurately selected size is important for proper pressure distribution - stockings that are too small will unnecessarily tighten the leg, and large stockings will not create the necessary compression. The following measurements must be taken:

• circumference of the lower leg at the narrowest point, near the ankle;
• circumference of the shin at the widest point of the calf;
• thigh circumference at a height of 25–30 cm above the knee;
• for golf - the length of the shin from the heel to the knee;
• for stockings - leg length from heel to groin;
• for tights - waist and hip circumference.

Video: how to take measurements for compression stockings

Compression garments must be precisely sized, so all measurements must be taken carefully and with the correct body position

Each type of compression garment has its own size chart. Here is a table of sizes for stockings - the most common medical knitwear used during childbirth.

Table: compression stocking sizes

Circumference of the lower leg above the ankle, cm	Circumference of the lower leg under the kneecap, cm	Upper thigh circumference, cm
XS	17 – 19	26 – 36	40 – 50
S	20 – 22	30 – 42	48 – 60
SX	20 - 22	30 – 42	56 – 70
M	23 – 25	34 – 46	56 – 70
MX	23 - 25	34 – 46	64 – 80
L	26 – 28	38 – 51	64 – 80
LX	26 – 28	38 – 51	72 - 90
XL	29 – 31	42 - 55	72 - 90
XLX	29 - 31	42 - 55	80 - 100

Video: how to choose compression garments

Rules of use and care

Compression knitwear requires careful and careful care, since careless handling can ruin its structure, stretch the elastic fibers and destroy its healing properties.

Since therapeutic underwear must be worn every day, it quickly becomes dirty and needs to be washed daily. It is important to follow the washing rules so as not to spoil it:

• Do not use too high a water temperature;
• you need to protect your laundry from severe deformation - friction and spinning;
• Before washing, you must remove any jewelry from your hands, as they can damage the fabric.

You should choose special products for delicate washing:

• liquid soap;
• powder or gel for baby clothes;
• powder or gel for delicate fabrics, chlorine-free.

It is not advisable to use:

• washing powder - undissolved grains of powder can get between the threads of knitwear and disrupt its structure;
• Laundry soap - fatty acids in its composition have an aggressive effect on knitwear.

Photo gallery: products for washing compression garments

Detergents for washing delicate fabrics do not contain chlorine or aggressive substances
Detergents for washing children's clothes act thoroughly, but carefully
A special detergent for washing compression garments is designed taking into account all its features.

• dilute the detergent in warm water;
• soak the laundry for 10–15 minutes;
• wash it gently without applying too much pressure and/or friction;
• rinse in clean water 2-3 times;
• It is prohibited to use bleaches, rinse aids, fabric softeners and other additives.

When washing by machine, if permitted for a particular item of laundry, you should set the “hand wash” or “delicate wash” mode. In this mode, the water does not heat above the permitted temperature. In this case, the spin must be turned off, since spinning, even at low speeds, breaks the structure of the therapeutic knitwear. It is also not recommended to wash compression garments with other clothing.

Stockings should be dried in a well-ventilated area, away from heaters and direct sunlight. To dry, they need to be laid out on a horizontal surface on a fabric that absorbs moisture well. Hanging clothes to dry is prohibited.
When washing medical knitwear, the chemical and physical impact on it should be minimal

Good compression hosiery is not cheap, so women are often worried about whether they can buy them second-hand or borrow them from friends. It is important to remember that the therapeutic and preventive effect of underwear depends on its condition, the precisely selected size and compression class. If the last two points are quite easy to comply with, because they are indicated on the packaging, then making sure that the knitwear was cared for in compliance with all the rules is more difficult. Compression stockings are a rather capricious thing and easily become unusable, which is difficult to judge by their appearance. Therefore, you should buy or take stockings that have already been used by someone only if you are firmly convinced that they have been carefully looked after. The length of time the knitwear was worn by the previous owner is also important, because stockings from some companies lose their compression properties after just a few months of use.

When can I take it off after childbirth?

The length of time you need to wear compression stockings after childbirth depends on two factors:

• method of delivery;
• condition of a woman’s veins before and after childbirth.

If the child was born naturally, and if the young mother does not have varicose veins, increased blood clotting or cardiovascular problems, then it is enough to wear stockings for 3-7 days.

After a cesarean section, this period increases and is 2–3 weeks, while they are worn for the first day without taking them off. This happens because even after the end of the operation, components of anesthesia that have a vasodilating effect remain in the mother’s blood.

If a woman has been diagnosed with vein problems, then the time she wears stockings after childbirth increases. The exact period during which it is advisable to wear stockings during the day (since it is advisable to remove them at night) should be told by the phlebologist observing the patient.

Comparative characteristics of compression stockings after childbirth from different companies

On the compression underwear market you can find products for almost every taste, color and wallet thickness. It’s quite easy to get confused when choosing companies, so for a visual comparison we will provide a table comparing stockings from the most famous manufacturers of therapeutic knitwear.

Table: comparison of compression stockings from different companies

Name	Country	Distinctive Features	Average price
USA	Have an attractive appearance	1300 RUR
Relaxan	Italy	Fragility of products - usually stockings lose their properties after about a month	1000–1500 RUR
Ortho	Spain	Low wear resistance. Variety of colors and designs.	1500–2000 rub.
Copper	Germany	Due to the increased density of the knitwear, stockings are difficult to put on	3000 RUR
Russia	Variety of colors. Good quality/price ratio	800–1300 RUR
Switzerland	High-quality underwear, thought out to the smallest detail - special summer knitwear, perforation, reinforced heel	4000–5000 RUR

Photo gallery: compression stockings from various companies

The Swiss company Sigvaris is considered one of the best in the production of compression hosiery. Intex underwear is produced in Russia, so it is cheaper than its foreign counterparts, not inferior to them in quality. Underwear from the American company Venotex is attractive both in its design and in its healing properties.

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:

• 1st grade. 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.

Species

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.
• Golfs. 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 can 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.

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 on an individual basis. 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

Varicose veins are a common problem among women expecting a baby. For those experiencing this disease, doctors recommend wearing compression stockings for childbirth. In the last trimester, the mother's fluid volume increases and the baby grows. A woman is actively gaining weight, which provokes the appearance of varicose veins. When neglected, it leads to the formation of blood clots or rupture of the vessel wall, which is life-threatening. Compression garments for and after childbirth prevent the development of a critical situation.

The therapeutic principle of the action of underwear for childbirth with a compression effect is the anatomically correct distribution of pressure on the legs. The highest pressure is recorded in the calf area, and towards the hips it decreases to a minimum. Blood flow in the lower extremities goes from top to bottom. This puts more strain on the lower legs, from where the blood must be pushed back up towards the heart. Thanks to therapeutic compression garments, optimal pressure is formed, which improves blood circulation and relieves stress on the veins.

Therapeutic benefits of compression garments for varicose veins:

1. Underwear stimulates uniform blood circulation.
2. Wearing birthing stockings reduces the risk of blood clots.
3. Stockings reduce the load on the veins, thereby reducing their diameter.
4. Wearing compression garments improves vascular patency.
5. Stockings for childbirth eliminate swelling.
6. The transfer of nutrients to organs is accelerated due to proper compression.

The therapeutic effect of stockings eliminates the possibility of hypoxia developing in the baby due to the rapid transfer of oxygen.

Wearing compression garments eliminates the feeling of heaviness in the legs and fatigue.

Stockings, worn before and after childbirth, reduce pain in the area of ​​​​swollen blood vessels.

Women with a history of varicose veins definitely need compression stockings in the maternity hospital. The upcoming birth involves a heavy load on the blood vessels. By normalizing blood flow in the legs during labor, compression garments for varicose veins eliminate the likelihood of developing thrombosis. If a cesarean section is indicated, you should prepare anti-varicose stockings in advance to wear in your bag before and after childbirth.

Choosing the right stockings

Compression underwear for the treatment of varicose veins is made from innovative material approved by phlebologists: microfiber, lycra, cotton. Their properties allow the fabric to fit tightly around the limb, with an uneven load on different parts of the leg.

How to choose the right compression stockings for childbirth?

• Let's study the composition: the best models of compression underwear for varicose veins include natural cotton thread.
• Synthetic fiber is allowed as an additional material to natural fiber.
• High-quality compression stockings for varicose veins are made without seams.
• We choose underwear for varicose veins strictly in accordance with the compression class.
• We control the size chart - stockings before and after childbirth must fit in order to get the maximum benefit from compression.

Compression stockings for varicose veins are the first thing to start treating the disease. During pregnancy, they are prescribed for preventive purposes, even if there are no symptoms.

Species

There are different types of compression garments: stockings, tights, pants, knee socks, sleeves, bandages. Let us consider separately the models intended for the treatment of varicose veins:

1. Anti-varicose tights for pregnant women. They are similar to regular tights, with compression therapy due to the base material. The pressure on the legs is applied in a decreasing direction from the ankles to the hips; there is no pressure on the stomach at all. Despite this, it is not advisable for women with a full tummy, especially in the last trimester, to choose compression tights.
2. Compression socks. They are prescribed if varicose veins appear only in the calf area. Comfortable to wear in summer. They are easier to put on than any other compression garment. They do not regulate the load on the hips; on the contrary, they increase it. Therefore, women should not wear knee socks during childbirth, only during pregnancy.
3. Elastic stockings for childbirth. From a therapeutic point of view, this is the best solution for the expectant mother. They are comfortable, comfortable, not hot and not cold. They distribute pressure evenly throughout the leg, reduce the load on the vessels and do not put pressure on the stomach. Lingerie is worn during and after childbirth.
4. Elastic bandage. The main difficulty when using it is the correct winding of the tape. You can take bandages for childbirth, as the medical staff will help you use them. This is the most inexpensive and accessible type of compression garments for childbirth. Optimal for women who do not have problems with varicose veins.

Compression class

To understand which compression stockings are best to purchase for childbirth, the expected effect is determined - preventive or therapeutic. Therapeutic knitwear for varicose veins is prescribed by a doctor, who himself designates the compression class - from I to IV. The degree depends on the stage of the disease: the more severe the varicose veins are, the higher the compression class will be.

Class I compression stockings are prescribed to prevent the development of varicose veins, as well as in the presence of the following symptoms:

• minor swelling in the legs;
• heaviness and fatigue in the legs at the end of the day;
• pastiness (depressions on the skin of the legs take a long time to straighten after pressing).

Class I underwear provides compression pressure in the range of 18 to 22 mm Hg. Art.

Class II stockings have compression from 23 to 32 mm Hg. Art. The class is indicated for women with diagnosed varicose veins:

• on the legs you can see a network of veins, nodules, stars;
• pronounced swelling of the lower extremities, which does not decrease in the morning;
• The medical history includes post-thrombophlebic disease, acute thrombophlebitis.

Class III compression stockings are mandatory prescribed by a phlebologist. The pressure of the compression garments is from 33 to 46 mmHg. Art. indicated for the following diseases:

• venous insufficiency;
• lymphostasis (primary or newly acquired);
• congenital malformations of the blood circulation and vascular system;
• trophic disorders;
• phlebolymphedema.

Class IV stockings with compression pressure greater than 48 mm Hg. Art. are indicated for wearing by women with serious complications of lymphostasis, as well as post-thrombotic syndrome.

If a woman is about to have an operation, after which she will have to lie down for a long time, the doctor will prescribe a special type of compression garment - hospital stockings.

Size

It is important to correctly size compression stockings for childbirth. The size of stockings is chosen according to the table, comparing your data with it. The following places are measured:

1. Thigh circumference in the area 5 cm below the buttocks.
2. Knee circumference.
3. Calf circumference at the widest part.
4. Ankle diameter at its narrowest point.
5. Distance from the floor to the knee (2 cm below the popliteal cavity).
6. Distance from floor to crotch.

All manipulations are carried out in the morning, immediately after waking up. It is advisable to seek help from family members to avoid errors. The best option is to consult a phlebologist.

How to wear it correctly

Maternity stockings have a dense structure, they are tight and have poor stretch. Before putting on, study the instructions for using stockings. To avoid damage to the compression product, nails are trimmed and jewelry is removed. Rubber gloves will help preserve your manicure. It is not allowed to pull underwear against varicose veins over a wet body. You need to put on stockings in the morning, before doing this, raise your legs up for a few minutes.

Algorithm of actions:

1. The compression stocking is turned inside out.
2. The foot is inserted into the footprint. Straighten the sock so that there are no wrinkles.
3. They begin to tighten the compression product, turning it right side out. Carefully distribute the fabric over the leg. Do not pull on the edges, as this could tear the stocking.
4. When the stocking is put on to thigh level, folds and twists are eliminated.

If your legs are very swollen, anti-varicose stockings for pregnant women can be pulled on using a butler or a special spray. The spray is applied to the underside of the stocking fabric to facilitate sliding. A butler is a structure made of arches with a base on which a stocking is pulled, and then a leg is inserted there.

How long to wear compression stockings

Anti-varicose stockings for childbirth can be worn all day. Before going to bed, the compression garments are removed so that the legs can rest and the blood flow remembers what it is like to work without assistance. Vessels that were in a compressed position due to compression quickly straighten out and take on a natural load. This can cause disruption of blood flow and lead to sudden swelling. Therefore, it is recommended to remove compression stockings before and after childbirth slowly and gradually. It is better to do this in a lying or half-sitting position.

Cost of products

Anti-varicose underwear can be purchased at pharmacies or orthopedic centers. The latter has the best selection of stockings with different compression classes and a full range of sizes. Brands of underwear for varicose veins are represented by both European and domestic models. The price range ranges from 900 to 3,500 rubles. Expensive stockings have a long service life. When choosing products for medicinal purposes, you should not skimp on the quality of compression underwear.

Suitability of use after childbirth

Women who wore anti-varicose underwear before childbirth should continue therapy. Postpartum stockings for varicose veins may change compression class or size due to a different load on the circulatory and vascular system. Underwear for varicose veins is also prescribed in the absence of visible health problems for preventive purposes.

It is useful to wear compression stockings after giving birth by cesarean section, because after the operation the woman moves less. The use of the product contributes to the accelerated recovery of a woman after the birth of a baby due to additional stimulation of the circulatory system.

Compression garments during pregnancy: Video

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 is it?

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 stress.

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 caesarean 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.