Why do hospitals need compression stockings? Indications for use

If you have already been interested in how childbirth goes with friends or doctors, then you have probably heard about such a thing as compression stockings. More and more women give birth in them, and, regardless, this is an independent birth or by caesarean section. Let's figure it out together whether stockings are needed for childbirth, which ones and why. First, a few words about what can be avoided or treated with compression stockings.

Varicose veins, in fact, are swelling of the veins, as a result of which they become visible to the naked eye and noticeable to the touch, nodules appear over time. The outflow of blood is difficult, the pressure in the veins is increased. Vessels stretch and become visible even through the skin - hence the so-called nets.

Every fourth inhabitant of the planet suffers from varicose veins, and these are mostly women. The cause of the development of the disease is a violation of blood circulation, and here are just some of the detrimental factors:

1. Too much and too much time on your feet.
2. hereditary factor. Up to 70% of babies receive such a disease along with a set of genes from their parents.
3. The sedentary lifestyle that many office workers lead.
4. Hormonal changes that accompany women throughout their lives: puberty, pregnancy, the period after childbirth, menopause ...
5. Physiological obstructions that interfere with the normal outflow of blood, such as blood clots, for example.
6. Emotional upheavals, stress adversely affect the state of blood vessels. The lumen of the vessels expands, the tone is lost due to the intake of alcohol and the harmful effects of toxins.
7. Overweight.

If you do not treat varicose veins, then sooner or later it can become much more complicated, smoothly flowing into thrombophlebitis or a trophic ulcer, for example. Have you noticed that your legs began to swell, fatigue appeared, or maybe you even found a net, albeit a small one? Urgently go to the phlebologist, then it will be too late.

Compression stockings for childbirth

So, if you know firsthand what varicose veins are, vasodilation, what stars look like, what it is like when your legs are constantly tired and swollen, not fitting into your favorite shoes, then most likely you have heard about compression underwear. There is preventive compression underwear and already therapeutic. During pregnancy and childbirth, doctors recommend wearing exactly prophylactic, but if there are problems with the veins, then the underwear is selected individually. Depending on the condition of the veins and the expected effect, a woman may be prescribed one of four compression levels. It exists in the form of tights, stockings or knee socks. Compression stockings for childbirth put pressure on the legs, and to a greater extent on the calf muscles, which bear the main load. If you choose the right underwear, then over time, blood circulation will improve, the outflow of blood will normalize, in a word, all the above problems will come to naught.

During pregnancy, the weight of the expectant mother increases every day, the load on the legs increases, they get more and more tired and swollen, even if there were no problems in the past. In this case, the doctor may prescribe compression underwear as a preventive measure, so that later the resulting thrombophlebitis will not be treated, for example. And the load on the legs will be distributed evenly, which will facilitate movement even in the third trimester of pregnancy.

But if you have passed the fate of getting acquainted with compression underwear, and even throughout your pregnancy you did without it, then you still have to take it with you to childbirth. Pregnancy is a period of very serious stress, but for childbirth they will be even more serious. And even in healthy women after childbirth, varicose veins can develop and unpleasant asterisks form. Better to be warned than deal with it later. It is stockings that are needed during childbirth, golf will not be enough, and we are not talking about tights at all for obvious reasons. Be prepared for the fact that you will need underwear, regardless of whether you are giving birth yourself or you have a planned caesarean section. If you are giving birth yourself, then it is better to put on stockings at home with the help of someone close, since in the maternity hospital there will be no time for this at all.

Compression stockings after childbirth

All pregnant women and newly-made mothers are by default at risk, because during these periods of life they experience very serious hormonal changes, and then one hormone is in the lead, then another, then the third. Therefore, if the entire pregnancy and even childbirth passed without affecting the condition of the skin of the legs, then you should take care of yourself and already holding your newborn baby in your arms. Do not think that compression underwear looks unaesthetic, so you won’t wear it in public. This, of course, also exists, it is quite suitable for childbirth. But for everyday life, the choice is also impressive, so everything that is useful can also be beautiful.

Compression stockings for childbirth: sizes

It is very important to understand that for the correct therapeutic effect, stockings must be made of high-quality material and correctly sized. A high-quality fabric should allow air to pass through and at the same time provide a supportive effect.

Preference should be given to stockings made of natural cotton fabric. There should be no seams in order to avoid the slightest discomfort. If the packaging is marked RAL, then such stockings comply with international quality standards.

Properly selected stockings should put pressure on the leg to a greater extent in the calf muscles, but at the same time they should not pinch the leg, causing discomfort to the woman. It is not enough to know what size of regular tights you wear. It is necessary to measure each leg in several places, and in the early morning, before the appearance of edema. How exactly to measure - see the picture.

Stockings for childbirth: price

Prices for products vary depending on many factors: your region, product quality, brand, compression ratio and desired effect. On average, the price ranges from 900 to 1900 rubles. There are also individual copies for 5000 rubles. I would like to say that you should not save on health! When buying, pay attention first of all to the quality of the product. Stockings for childbirth are sold at the pharmacy, where the pharmacist will select the best option for you.

Summing up

Now you know which stockings for childbirth will definitely come in handy, how to choose them and what is their role in the beauty and health of your legs. Even if you don't have any vein problems, even if your doctor hasn't told you about the benefits of compression stockings for childbirth, buy them and use them as directed. After all, prevention is always better than treatment, in terms of health, time, and savings in the family budget.

Video " Do you really need compression stockings for childbirth?

The birth of a baby is a long-awaited event for every woman. However, in the process of childbirth, the body of the expectant mother experiences simply a colossal load. In addition to the huge tension and pain, the pressure on the vessels also increases several times. That is why gynecologists recommend that patients purchase compression stockings for childbirth.

Why buy special stockings?

According to medical statistics, 30% of women experience varicose veins after the first pregnancy, and after the second and subsequent, this figure rises to 50%. It is the protection of vulnerable female legs from varicose veins and thrombophlebitis that is the main purpose of buying and wearing compression stockings.

Gynecologists recommend not only putting on compression stockings before childbirth, but also wearing them for some time after the birth of the baby. Special stockings protect the legs from the formation of venous knots much better than traditional wrapping them with elastic bandages.

Phlebologists are convinced that compression stockings for childbirth can also be useful for problems such as:

• severe swelling;
• cramps of the lower extremities;
• the presence of excess weight;
• blood clotting disorder;
• diabetes.

In all these cases, as well as women giving birth after 35 years, doctors strongly recommend the use of compression underwear - both during and after childbirth. In addition, special stockings are necessary for the expectant mother in cases where a caesarean section is scheduled. Why do you need compression stockings for childbirth in this situation? During abdominal surgery, the load on the blood vessels is no less high than during natural delivery, and it must be reduced.

Read also:

Special knitwear helps to improve blood circulation and distribute the load between the thighs and calves. Thus, you can avoid stagnation of blood in the vessels and maintain muscle tone.

How to choose the right "support"?

Before buying medical stockings for a maternity hospital, you need to consult a phlebologist. The specialist will explain in detail why compression stockings are needed for childbirth in a particular case, how to choose them and what indicators should be oriented in the first place. To achieve maximum efficiency, it is important to take into account not only the size and material, but also the compression force.

The compression levels of medical linen are usually measured in millimeters of mercury and divided into 4 groups:

• 18-21 mm - it is recommended to wear such stockings for women with a tendency to edema and varicose veins, as well as for superficial vasodilation (telangiectasia) and heavy legs syndrome (functional phlebopathy);
• 23-32 mm - this level of compression is intended for those who already suffer from varicose veins or have undergone surgery to eliminate them;
• 34-46 mm - knitwear of this level is intended for women with varicose or lymphovenous insufficiency, as well as deep thrombosis, which is accompanied by severe edema;
• over 49 mm - stockings of this category have the strongest compression effect and are prescribed for expectant mothers if they are diagnosed with congenital phlebodysplasia or lymphedema.

What are the best compression stockings for childbirth? Only a phlebologist can answer this question. The choice of therapeutic knitwear depends solely on the state of health of the woman in labor and the presence (or absence) of her problems with blood circulation. As a rule, doctors recommend stockings of the first or second level for absolutely healthy women.

If we talk about quality, then inexpensive stockings should be avoided, since the low cost in this case indicates the absence of a therapeutic effect. Most experts recommend choosing cotton products from European manufacturers and buying them in pharmacy chains and specialized stores.

How to choose the size of compression stockings for childbirth is another problem that expectant mothers face. Manufacturers of high-quality knitwear always provide its packaging with an extended size chart. It is proposed to determine the size according to several parameters: weight, height, waist and leg circumference. For the correct choice of stockings, it is necessary not only to know all the listed indicators, but also to measure the width of the ankle and the widest part of the lower leg.

Reviews of stockings for five minutes to moms

Of course, medical stockings cannot give a 100% guarantee that after the birth of a baby, a young mother will not have any problems with the veins, in particular, varicose veins. After all, there are many factors that can provoke the development of the disease: hereditary predisposition, daily high load on the legs, problems with blood circulation, etc. However, compression stockings for childbirth will help to significantly reduce the risk and increase the chances of a positive outcome.

Meanwhile, reviews about this product can be found both positive and sharply negative. But often the latter are associated with the purchase of low-quality stockings or stockings that are not suitable in size and level of compression. The same women who preferred proven brands and did not save on their health note the following effect of therapeutic knitwear:

• stockings help the legs to more easily endure the load that increases every day of pregnancy;
• puffiness decreases and heaviness in the legs practically does not bother;
• during childbirth, there is an outflow of blood and relief in the calf region;
• when wearing stockings, there are no stretch marks on the skin of the legs;
• in the process of childbirth, there is a slight stimulation of blood circulation in the pelvic area.

Most young mothers who have tested the effect of compression stockings on themselves are of the opinion that you should start wearing stockings from the very first days of pregnancy. It is in this case that the risk of developing varicose veins after the birth of a baby is significantly reduced.

The reasons due to which varicose veins of the lower extremities can begin are very different. The consequences of this disease are in danger, thrombosis of veins located both on the surface and in depth may appear. Based on this, the pulmonary artery, which is threatened by thromboembolism, may suffer. All these complications can be overcome by several methods, and one of them is the wearing of compression stockings - Egroforma 213 anti-embolic stockings of 2 compression classes (25 mm Hg). They have a special material, due to which one hundred percent compression is created, evenly enveloping the entire lower limb .

stocking features

The material from which the stockings are made is white. This is an important factor for medical professionals when surgery is necessary, since the entire limb and possible changes are very clearly visible. The toe part of the stockings is missing and this is also provided for the convenience of doctors.
It is necessary to dress the product in a supine position, first raising both legs to increase venous outflow. The use of stockings is provided for operations related to:
- chest;
- abdominal cavity;
- small pelvis;
And they are also used when performing laparoscopic operations, vascular, during the birth period.
For washing stockings use warm water up to 300C. Wash only by hand and gentle detergents of high quality. The use of electrical appliances for drying and push-ups is prohibited. For drying, the product is laid horizontally, while heating devices are not used.

Indications for use

Anti-embolic (hospital) type compression stockings provide a wide range of indications for use. As mentioned above, their use is provided for various operations, during childbirth and postpartum stay in the hospital. Therefore, they are often called not in medical terms, but much more simply: compression stockings for childbirth.
If the patient is forced to stay in bed for a long time, then thromboembolic complications may occur, so compression stockings may be needed to prevent embolic complications.

Use of compression stockings during surgery

The product is used during the period of surgical intervention to prevent the formation of blood clots, which entail serious consequences, even cells die. The most serious complication can be considered thromboembolism affecting the pulmonary artery.
Any surgical intervention is a stressful situation for the body. During the operation, blood clots may occur. The factors for this are very different. The body has to deal with excessive blood loss and releases agents into the blood that increase the percentage of blood clotting. In addition, during surgery, there is a decrease in blood pressure and the speed at which blood flows through the vessels. Given this, the risk of blood clots increases.
Currently, before the operation, the lower limbs are protected by elastic compression. Prior to this, special elastic bandages were used for this purpose. And now - with more modern means, namely, anti-embolic stockings for operations, which is much more convenient. Stockings with a special material provide uniform compression on the entire lower limb.

Use of compression stockings during childbirth

When a caesarean section is performed, thrombosis and thromboembolism may occur. The natural way of childbirth also provides for such a risk, but a little less than in the process of surgical intervention. This is caused by obstructed outflow of blood and the attempts themselves, as there is an increase in intra-abdominal pressure. Based on this, the attending physician may prescribe anti-embolic stockings. They are also assigned a period of their use.

Childbirth is a responsible and long-awaited period when a woman becomes a mother. But, alas, as a result of the increased load on the body, often just at this time chronic diseases become aggravated and some unpleasant symptoms appear. Varicose veins - refers to such diseases. To avoid complications of this pathology, compression stockings for childbirth are increasingly used. This is a medical special underwear with a slimming effect. Birth stockings are made from both natural and synthetic fabrics.

Why are compression stockings needed during childbirth?

Why do we need compression stockings during childbirth, the doctor must definitely explain to women who suffer from varicose veins or have a predisposition to it. It is this underwear that will help facilitate childbirth by distributing pressure so that the maximum load is transferred from the hips to the calf muscles. This not only improves blood flow, but the blood does not stagnate in the vessels. Also, stockings help maintain muscle tone, as a result of which the muscles do their job more efficiently.

Stockings for childbirth are not too easy to put on, so it is better for pregnant women to put them on even at the first contractions and take the help of relatives. This underwear, thanks to a special weave, is seamless, which protects against friction.

Compression stockings for childbirth venoteks are the most popular among women. They are represented by a wide range of models and comply with Russian State Standards. Stockings have an average degree of wear resistance and are distinguished by a relatively low cost, on average from 650 rubles to 1600 rubles. Medical underwear is recommended to be worn not only during childbirth, but also before and for some time after them. Compression stockings prevent the development and progression of varicose veins and thrombophlebitis, which is very important because these diseases cannot be cured.

According to experts, during the first pregnancy, varicose veins are detected in up to 30% of women, and in subsequent ones - already in half.

You need to understand that if the first signs of the disease, such as:

• aching pains;
• spider veins (a network of small vessels translucent through the skin);
• heavy legs syndrome;

were observed even before pregnancy and childbirth, then in this difficult perinatal period for the body, without taking preventive measures, the disease will most likely develop and will bring trouble.

Almost all oral medications are contraindicated during pregnancy or should be taken with caution. Doctors advise the local use of venotonics - venarus, lyoton, detralox and venoruton.

What material are maternity stockings made from?

Compression stockings for childbirth are made of elastic dense material that fits the figure. Thanks to this, muscle tone is maintained in the legs, that is, the muscles function continuously, blood circulation improves, which helps to avoid congestion, swelling and blood clots.

Medical jersey fabric has:

• excellent ability to restore the original size;
• good air and moisture exchange;
• high elasticity.

In addition, they are non-toxic, safe and low-allergenic, do not cause itching and other irritant reactions, do not stretch.

The composition of the material includes lycra, natural cotton and rubber threads, microfiber.

How to choose compression stockings?

Before choosing compression stockings, you need to consult a doctor and familiarize yourself with various brands of medical underwear. Medical jersey is produced in various sizes, colors (white, black, flesh-colored) and different degrees of compression.

Birth stockings have their own characteristics:

• The presence in the abdomen of a special tensile insert, which does not put pressure on the "grown up" tummy.
• Compression is physiologically distributed, accurately calculated, graduated, measured in mm Hg. Art. and dosed, compression underwear is never marked in dens.
• Innovative technologies allow you to precisely match the compression parameters.
• Therapeutic stockings retain all their properties for at least six months of daily use.

For childbirth, you can wear the same compression underwear that you wore during pregnancy. They must be clean, as sterility is observed in the maternity ward.

If a woman does not have spider veins and protruding veins, then it is enough to purchase prophylactic compression stockings for childbirth venotex.
Hospital or anti-embolic knitwear is also produced, which is specifically designed for childbirth and the postpartum period. This type of stockings can be worn without taking off for up to a week, even when taking a shower. In such models, the toe is always open in order to observe blood circulation in the limbs on the fingers. Only hospital stockings can be washed at 70C.

Do not try to save money, high-quality stockings cannot cost as much as ordinary tights. But the therapeutic and preventive effect depends on the quality. It is better to purchase compression stockings in pharmacies or specialized stores.

To determine the correct size, you need to measure the widest part of the lower leg and the thickness of the ankle just above the bone. The results of measurements should be compared with a special table, according to which you can find out the right size.

Be sure to consult with a phlebologist. It is he who will help determine the compression class, after conducting an ultrasound scan. There are 4 classes of compression, 1-2 protect against complications and have a preventive effect.

Maternity stockings must be worn all day, only removed at night or for a few hours during the day.

How to wear stockings?

Compression stockings are not as easy to put on as normal stockings. This is done immediately after sleep, gently, without getting out of bed. Do not twist or overstretch knitwear.
First of all, you need to assemble the upper part into an accordion. Next, inserting the palms inward, carefully put on the foot, slowly straightening, pull on the shin and up the leg.

Buy compression stockings for childbirth.

A tribute to fashion or a necessity?

Some statistics: PE occurs in 1 out of 750 women in labor * (blockage of a pulmonary artery by a thrombus)

To date, it is recommended to have stockings for childbirth for ALL WOMEN, even if before childbirth they did not suffer from vein diseases. During labor, due to the huge load in the deep veins of the legs, blood clots may occur. They can clog the vessel and lead to thrombosis. This is a serious complication that threatens the life of a woman. Buy to compression stockings for childbirth necessary for both natural childbirth and cesarean section .. The presence of such stockings is a prerequisite in maternity hospitals in large Russian cities. If it is possible to reduce the risk of complications, then why not take advantage of this opportunity? Ideally, if a pregnant woman wore preventive compression stockings or maternity stockings during pregnancy to minimize the load on the legs, especially in the later stages.

When is the right time to buy birth stockings?

Recall that these are not simple stockings, but compression stockings, that is, they exert a certain level of pressure. And they don't fit like regular hosiery, a little heavier.. So:

• We recommend purchasing compression stockings for childbirth somewhere in a month and practice putting on at home. There are very frequent cases when a woman during contractions simply could not or did not have time to put on birth stockings.
• Much in advance stockings should not be looked for in 3-4 months. The circumference of the leg may increase due to edema, and the desired size of the stockings will increase accordingly.
• Anti-embolic stockings for childbirth class 1 are shown to all women in labor, regardless of the method of delivery, and are bought on their own without a doctor's prescription.

What compression class is needed for childbirth?

• For most healthy women, it is enough to have stockings for childbirth 1st class(18-23 mmHg)
• If a woman before childbirth already had vascular diseases of the lower extremities, was observed for this reason, or during pregnancy she was prescribed class 2 compression stockings, then you may need anti-embolic stockings for childbirth class 2(23-32 mm Hg), which are prescribed exclusively by a doctor.

How long to wear stockings after childbirth?

• Usually after natural childbirth stockings are worn for 1-2 days taking off at night. As soon as you return to physical activity, start walking along the corridor, you will no longer need stockings. If the general condition does not allow you to return to activity in the first days after childbirth, then stockings can be used for a longer time. In any case, the staff of the maternity hospital will definitely tell you how to proceed specifically in your case.
• If a woman had a caesarean section, she can take off her stockings only after the permission of the doctor. They will need to be worn during delivery, and for some time after the baby is born.

Although, judging by the reviews of our customers, many women even I like the compression effect of the stocking for childbirth feeling of lightness in the legs,and they keep wearing themat home. Le Soft compression class 1 do no harmt, on the contrary, will helpget rid of pastosity and swelling of soft tissueslegs. But the appearance of white hospital color allows them to be worn only at home or under clothes.

How to choose stockings for childbirth?

Preference should be given to products that:

• Does not contain latex, therefore will not cause an allergic reaction
• Can be washed or even sterilized at t-95 degrees to ensure hygiene when discharged.
• They have a loose knit for easy donning
• They have an open toe so that the doctor can control microcirculation by the color of the toes.
• Made from to breathable fiber

We answer your questions.

Question:during pregnancy I wore class 1 anti-varicose stockings, can I use them during childbirth, because the compression class is the same?

Answer: If we consider the therapeutic effect, then yes, you can. But... we still recommend purchasing special anti-embolic stockings for childbirth, because:

• They are easier to put on than classic compression stockings.
• They have a hole in the fingers, and this is very important so that the doctor can quickly respond if necessary.
• And if discharge gets on your beautiful stockings, will it be possible to wash them at T-30 degrees?
• If there is a need to be in postpartum stockings for several days in a row, then in anti-varicose stockings you will simply "weld", and anti-embolic stockings pass air well.
• The cost of postpartum stockings starts from 900 rubles, anti-varicose stockings are more expensive.

Only high-quality stockings for childbirth are able to protect your blood vessels and provide your legs with the highest comfort. In the Venocomfort online store you can buy compression stockings for childbirth German company medi, the effectiveness of which has been proven in clinical studies. Or more budget and very popular stockings for childbirth from the company Ergoforma. Do not risk your health at such a crucial moment. Buy the best! Medical consultants of our store are always ready to answer your questions.

Choose. Buy. And easy childbirth for you!

Your VenoComfort.