Has Anyone Used Compression Hosiery for Swelling?

D.- I used them the last few months of pregnancy and LOVED them! they are extremely difficult to get on, but well worth it once you do. I am convinced it helped me feel better by keeping the blood circulation up.

hope they help

This is going to sound nuts, but wrap your legs in cabbage leaves and cover with ace bandages.
I was swollen like a balloon both the last few months of my pregnancy and then still afterwards. The lactation consultant that we met with at our family practice suggested it and told me that she does this with her hockey player teenage sons... nothing else had worked for me, including the hosiery. My husband and mom wrapped my legs up with cabbage and in a day the swelling started to go down. It was like magic. I thought I was going to be huge forever. If I had only known about this while pregnant... good luck!

yes i got them at one of the medical walgreens at the time i lived near the one at halem and 22nd in norht riverside
i was on my feet all day and my dr insisted
it really helped
i worked up to the end
i think i had one day off before i went into labor

I am suppose use the leggings but no one has proscribed the compression for me. Suggestions since the lymph system drains from the legs at your crouch get a big pillow to place between your leggs at night. Try sitting with your legs appart and elevated. The baby is pressing on the abdomanel and crouch lymph nodes. Swelling is normal during pregancy. It does make you tired and cause pain. Hopefully your will go away after birth, I do think it will. If you are working, also at home, get your legs up so that the chair does not cut off your circulation. You could try walking it may help it move. Drink water and lots of it. I am sure you are watching your salt from the other things you are trying. I just hope that support hose will not make you uncomfortable. They cause me great pain. Ask for a tummy support may be lifting the baby will help you drain. There are messages you can do to drain the legs. Look on the Lymphedema web or find a massage therapist. Just one reason to make birth a wonderful and wanted event.

If by compression hoisery you mean support hoisery then yes, it was godsemd. I am a styl;ist and it rescued my aching body through two pregnancies. Good luck.

Hi, I 'm 20 weeks preg. with my 3'rd. I had to get the hose about a month ago due to a vein breaking open in my calf. I LOVE THEM!!! I need towear them all of the time due to the risk now of blood clots in my legs. I run a home day care and also have 2 of my own children, so I'm also on my feet all day. Being on your feet all day can cause swelling and blood clots. I actually had to go to the ER for this, but all is good now. The OB gave me a prescription for compression hoses. She said to take it to Mark Drug and they could get them. My Mother-in-Law works at one, so I just called her and gave her the pres. # and she brought them to me. Definitley go to a Mark Drug to get them. There are diff. kinds that depend on how much compression is needed and if you need the calf(knee high), or full leg ones. Most insurances cover most of the cost. The people at Mark Drug will also show you how to put them on because it is tricky. The hose can't be stretched out and no bumps or lines. If you have anymore ?'s feel free to contact me cause this is a long response, but they are wonderful hoses (if you don't mind looking like a grandma on your legs).

R.

My sister-in-law had a lot of problems with her legs during her pregnancies and she used support hose and said it was the only thing that worked. She still had some discomfort but I don't think nearly as much. Hope this helps.

Good luck,
C.

A brand called Jobst would be best. They are pretty expensive though (probably around $50) and may have to be prescribed by your physician. They are available at medical supply stores and certain pharmacies. If you still have a long way to go in your pregnancy or are planning on having more kids it might be worth it, but if you are just a few weeks away it may not be worth the investment.

I used the support socks that I found @ Macy's. They saved the day! No more leg cramps. I continued to wear them after my pregnancy.

Hi D.,

I was the exact same way when I was pregnant with my boys and you'll never guess what reduced the swelling without the hose.... NO salt... I was eating too many salty foods and when I started watching my salt intake, the swelling went away. Good luck with everything and hope this helps.
--V.

I wore them with my first pregnancy. Not very stylish, but comfortable and helped me throughout the day. I'd say give it a try. Good luck!

We do sometimes recommend the hosiery, but also make sure you are getting a lot of water and adequate salt. I know it seems crazy but if you don't have enough water or salt in your diet your body will hang onto it and cuase swelling. If there is enough your body will let it go. Also, adequate protein intake has been shown to help with swelling reduction and swimming is very effective. You don't say how far along you are but early in pregnancy extreme swelling that is not related to heat or exercise can be cause for concern so be sure to mention it to your midwife or doctor. By the way I am an RN and student nurse-midwife. Congrats on the pregnancy.

D.:

you can also try green cabbage... wrap your feet in the cabbage and remove when it is wilted.

other foods: apples, green grapes,

P., RLC, IBCLC
Pres. Lactation Support Group, Inc
www.lactationsupportgroup.com