Pregnancy Compression Socks

Why do legs feel heavier during pregnancy?

You reach the afternoon and your ankles aren't the same as they were in the morning. This happens to very many pregnant women, especially from the second trimester onwards, and even more so in summer.

There is an explanation. Your body is now managing more blood and more fluid, and at the same time, as the uterus grows, it becomes harder for that blood to flow back up from your legs. Gravity does the rest: what doesn't go up stays down, in your ankles, in your feet, and sometimes even in your toes.

If you want the details on why this happens and what you can do every day, we explain it in swollen feet and legs during pregnancy.

How do compression stockings help during pregnancy?

A graduated compression stocking is tighter at the ankle and loosens towards the knee. It’s like climbing a hill with someone pushing from behind: the blood finds the way back slightly less uphill.

Translated to your day-to-day, you reach the evening with lighter legs. They don't eliminate swelling, they don't replace any advice from your midwife, and for light compression, you don't need a prescription.

How to choose yours?

Four things decide if a pair of stockings will be your good companion over these months.

How many mmHg do I need?

mmHg measures the pressure the stocking exerts at the ankle. Calcetinos are at 14-17 mmHg, light compression, measured in an external laboratory. It is the range for daily use, the kind you wear for many hours without putting them on becoming the worst moment of your morning.

There are stockings with much higher pressure, and those are prescribed: if your midwife or doctor indicates a specific compression for your case, you buy those at a pharmacy. We explain this in what mmHg means.

How do I get the size right?

By the leg, not the foot. The foot doesn't compress and remains loose regardless of the size you choose: the calf is what matters. Measure it and compare it with the size guide. And if you notice your leg changing from one month to the next, measure yourself again before ordering the next pair.

Which material is best for me?

• Cotton, for almost everything. The Basic ones are for daily use.
• Bamboo, if your skin is more reactive than usual these months. The Nature Bambú are hypoallergenic and more breathable than cotton.
• Coolmax, if your third trimester falls in the middle of summer: the Fresh.
• Nude colour, if you wear them with a dress and prefer them not to stand out.

How high should they go?

Just below the knee, which is where the compression needs to work. Nothing that squeezes the belly.

When to put them on and how long to wear them?

Upon waking up, while the leg is still not swollen, before spending a long time standing or sitting. They can be worn from the first trimester: you don't have to wait for your ankles to give you a warning.

During the day they are worn continuously. You don't need them to sleep: while lying down, your legs are already at heart level and don't have to fight against gravity.

The first time, you might notice some tingling or slight itching in your leg as soon as you put them on. It's a good sign: your blood circulation has started. What you should check is for marks when you take them off. A light mark is left by any sock in the world. A deep mark, the kind that looks like you were wearing an elastic band, usually means the size is not yours.

With a belly, bending over to put them on is a challenge. That’s where these tips for putting them on help, and if it feels too hard, the stocking aid.

And after childbirth

The first few weeks your body continues to release the fluid it accumulated, and many women continue using them for a while longer. They are the same ones and the same size, unless your leg has changed.

What is behind a pair of Calcetinos?

They are light graduated compression socks for everyday life, made in Spain, with 14-17 mmHg tested in an external laboratory and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification. They are not a medical device and are not financed by prescription.

There are two details that sometimes surprise people and are intentional: the top part is left somewhat loose, so as not to cut off circulation or mark your leg, and they don't have raised patterns, because those seams press on loose points and ruin exactly what makes a stocking work.

Frequently asked questions about compression stockings during pregnancy