Your pregnancy may or may not be accompanied by the appearance of varicose veins. 

If you have been one of the lucky women who did not get any varicose veins while pregnant, count your blessings – but don’t buy into the belief that because it didn’t happen before it probably won’t the next time either. 

Every pregnancy is different and varicose veins can literally pop up without any warning.

For women who have experienced varicose veins during pregnancy, the news is even worse for the next time around.  Once you have had them, it is almost certain that these bulging veins will be worse with every subsequent pregnancy without taking suitable precautions.

Statistically speaking up to 73% of the female population has varicose veins. In addition, approximately one third of first time pregnant women and more than half of the women who have multiple pregnancies develop varicose veins.  The majority of women who develop varicose veins will do so during their first three months of pregnancy (first trimester).

What Can Be Done To Prevent Varicose Veins During Pregnancy?

Beyond common sense things like getting exercise and maintaining a healthy weight, compression stockings, compression tights and compression leggings are proven therapeutic remedies to prevent things from going from bad to worse.

First off it should be noted that conventional support hose or elastic leggings simply won’t do the trick.  The important part of compression hosiery is that it must have “graduated compression” to do its job.  Graduated compression applies increasing pressure from the upper thigh area down to the ankles, where the compression is the strongest.

The compression has to be the highest at the ankles because the blood circulating back up to the heart has to overcome the force of gravity trying to pull it back down and causing it to pool in the legs.

Read more on this subject here…  What Is Graduated Compression?

Graduated Compression Legwear Choices For Expectant Mothers

Maternity Knee High Compression Socks would seem most appealing because they are relatively easy to put on and take off even for a pregnant person.

However, compression socks may fall short in protecting against varicose veins because they don’t cover the upper part of the legs where the compression is needed just as much.

Pregnancy Thigh High Compression Stockings provide the much needed graduated compression all the way up the legs. The critical area of thigh high stockings is the hold up band at the upper thigh.  The wearer must ensure that the silicone backed hold up band is not too tight where it cuts into the thigh or has a tendency to roll.

Both of these issues could result in less than optimal blood circulation or even restrict the flow of blood.  It is therefore paramount that the legs and thighs are properly measured to ensure a most perfect and comfortable fit of the stockings.

Maternity Compression Pantyhose with or without toes will definitely provide the most comprehensive coverage and is frequently physicians’ compression garment choice for pregnant women. 

Fortunately today’s maternity compression hosiery is available in ultra-sheer and fashionable nylon and Lycra materials, making them virtually indistinguishable from high street fashion pantyhose or tights.

Pregnancy Compression Leggings are still the new kid on the block but enjoy equally high popularity to their fashion legging cousins.  In the age of leggings, manufacturers have quickly jumped on the bandwagon and developed maternity leggings featuring graduated compression. 

These compression leggings are made with anatomically correct tummy panels for pelvic and back support. The footless design and special light-weight fabrics make them breathable and comfortable to wear even during the warmer season of the year.

Word of Caution: As a final reminder we would like to emphasize that before you purchase or try any compression stockings, tights or leggings, you should always first make an appointment with your medical care provider to get his or her recommendations and to make sure there are no underlying conditions in your medical history that would preclude you from wearing compression stockings.

As an added bonus, you also no longer have to be embarrassed wearing compression stockings and support hose. The latest styles, colors and designs of compression stockings are virtually indistinguishable from high-street fashion tights or stockings.

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