Can we talk compression socks?

katags

My ankles started swelling on Monday. I know it's normal, but I have a formal event to go to on Saturday, and of course I have a tea-length dress. It's probably too late, but I at least want to try to get the swelling down a bit. I searched the page to see if anyone had recommended certain socks/styles, but I could find any specifics, just that people were wearing them!

So my question is twofold.

I have some running compression socks. Can I just wear these this week to hopefully reduce swelling by Saturday? https://www.cepcompression.com/progressive-run-socks-2-0.html

Or do I need maternity specific socks/stockings? If so, what brands do you have and where do you get them?

And before you ask: I am drinking water and I keep my feet up at my desk. We were out of town last weekend and eating out a lot, so I know sodium is playing a part in this, and I'm working on cutting that back.

peanutmuse

I second @MarBee1214's suggestion -- compression hose for the actual event. If your feet/ankles are going to swell, they are going to swell and there's not much you can do to prevent it.

My left ankle has been consistently swelling by the end of each day, despite wearing compression socks, sitting with my feet up, drinking approx 150 oz of fluid a day, and limiting sodium for the past 3 weeks. The point is, you can do everything right and still have swelling.

mrskratt

I bought a cheap pair from the pharmacy because one of my ankles started to swell and throb. They definitely helped but I plan on asking my midwife to write a prescription for some, so I can have some to rotate. There's some they sell in stores that cost $40 for one sock! I think any kind of compression socks/hose you buy will be better than nothing.

SoonToBeMamaP

The running compression socks should be fine wear them up until the event and hope for the best! I'd wear them to bed that night, too... Especially if you'll be on your feet a lot!

katags

Thanks! I'm definitely going to look into getting some hose for the event.  I don't know why I didn't think of that.

Only 7(ish) more weeks, right???

kteeswei

I think you can get compression tights that would work with a dress but they aren't cheap.  I was going to wear a dress to my shower on Saturday but I just don't see any shoes working with the swelling.  I'm not motivated enough to spend money on compression tights or look for booties but I'm sure if I wanted to make it work there are options.  If I had an event I'd be working harder.  Good luck!

AshleyDoll

When I was pregnant with my last baby, I was in the hospital for a month on bedrest.... They had me wear the compression stockings but not for swelling, it was to stop blood clots in my legs since I was in a hospital bed all the time. You should be able to go to a pharmacy and get them, that's what I did when I was released from the hospital but still had to be on bedrest at home. The hospital told me I can pick them up at a pharmacy.

questisthebest

I was wearing compression sleeves on my calves (I already had them from running pre-pregnancy), but they didn't seem to help. In fact, they seemed to make things worse, but maybe the full compression stockings would work better than just the partial. Although I haven't had real bad swelling yet, I found that my legs look the best after going walking/hiking for a few miles... now my hands and fingers, that is a different story!

sunnyplaces

I bought hose online through discountsurgical.com I also have compression socks which I bought at Walgreens. I mostly wear the socks... They're so much easier. I wear these b/c v veins run in my family and though I have one on my thigh, I think the compression gear has helped on the prevention front.

katags

allyerrn said:

I don't have "maternity" compression stockings, I just got mine from the pharmacy. They are 20mmHg I think.  But honestly if you are swelling, wearing them for a few days before your event probably won't help.  If I go just one day or even half a day without mine, the swelling starts.  You could find compression hose though, and wear them to the event and just get a nude color.  I have a pair of those as well for when I need to dress up a bit.

MarBee, are the compression hose sold at maternity stores? or can you buy those somewhere else?

@allyerrn
I called to check, and Motherhood Maternity sells compression tights/hose.  They have them at my store ranging in price from $8-$18. But you might want to call ahead to see what they have in stock.  My store had very limited sizes - no mediums, small only in nude and large only in black.

kw42775

I have one pair that I got from Walgreens when I was traveling last month.  I have worn them a few times and although I still swell a little, my feet and legs feel better while I am wearing them!