Best Compression Socks for Pregnancy

Oh, those aching feet. The good news? In most cases, mild swelling during pregnancy, also known as edema, is normal (although you should always tell your doctor about severe swelling that doesn't go away).

About 75 percent of moms-to-be develop this symptom at some point during their pregnancies. For many, swollen feet and ankles may start around week 27 — or month 7 — of pregnancy. The bad news? Swelling probably won’t go away completely until after baby’s arrival. And on top of that, you might also notice varicose veins, which affect up to 35 percent of pregnant women.

One way to help ease both symptoms (or at least stop them from becoming worse) is to slip on a pair of maternity compression socks at the start of the day.

Why you might need compression socks during pregnancy

Both edema and varicose veins are caused by the increased bodily fluids you’re carrying around to nurture baby. This increased blood flow, combined with the pressure of your expanding uterus on the pelvic veins and your vena cava (the large vein on the right side of your body that returns blood from your lower limbs to the heart), fluid can accumulate in your tissues.

Another factor: “The increase in progesterone from pregnancy can cause relaxation of the walls of veins, so the blood pools in the lower body due to gravity,” explains Iffath Hoskins, M.D., an OB-GYN at NYU Langone Health in New York City. “Compression stockings help massage the muscles and result in blood being forced to move upwards towards the rest of the body.” This boosts circulation and helps to relieve swelling, she adds.

Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is another concern during pregnancy. The condition is more common in moms-to-be than in other women of the same age and can cause life-threatening complications if left untreated. If you're considered high risk for developing DVT, your doctor may recommend that you wear compression hose.

Choosing the best compression socks for pregnancy

To find the best maternity compression socks for you, keep the following factors in mind:

• Fit: In order for compression socks to do their job, you need a tight — but not uncomfortably tight — fit, Dr. Hoskins says. The socks should also feel firm.
• Style: Some compression socks are shorter, like a sport sock that you would wear with sneakers to exercise, while others go all the way up to your knee. Knee-high compression socks and pantyhose compression stockings are most effective, Dr. Hoskins says, especially if you have varicose veins on your thighs.
• Level of compression: Compression is measured in mmHg and ranges from 10 to 15 (which is considered mild), 15 to 20 (moderate) and up to 30 (which falls in the firm range). There are socks with stronger levels of compression, but you'll need a prescription from your doctor in order to get them. Most pregnant women can wear over-the-counter compression socks, says Dr. Hoskins, but your doctor can let you know if prescription-strength compression socks are a better option for you.
• Graduated compression: Some socks offer compression that is stronger at the feet and ankles and becomes more relaxed as the fabric goes up your calf. Some women find these to be more comfortable, especially when wearing compression socks for long periods of time.

How to use compression socks during pregnancy

You should put compression socks on at the start of the day — they’re better at staving off swelling than reversing it, and once your feet and legs are already swollen, it can be hard to get these tight socks on.

“Wear the socks for as long as is comfortable, but especially when walking, standing or sitting (e.g. whenever your feet and legs are dangling),” Dr. Hoskins says. You don’t need to wear them at night when your feet and legs are at the same level as the rest of your body.