The period of pregnancy and childbirth is difficult even for a strong body. Therefore, health problems that previously were not there may appear. If the legs swell, then this is varicose veins. But even if there is no such problem, doctors advise to take special stockings for childbirth in the hospital. Are they really needed? The advantages of the products are described in the article.
What it is?
Compression knitwear is called medical underwear that puts pressure on a person’s limbs in a special way. Due to this, edema is reduced, blood circulation in the veins is restored.
Create products from natural and synthetic fibers, among which:
Linen is thicker and stronger than ordinary nylon. Depending on the manifestation of the disease and the doctor's recommendations, you may need to use stockings, tights, bandages, golfs, leg warmers, socks and sleeves. What does a stocking look like? In appearance they are similar to standard products, only made of special knitwear and have no jewelry.
Stocking Features
To create compression underwear, an elastic dense material is used, including lycra, natural cotton and rubber threads, as well as microfiber. The product tightens the body, preventing stagnation of blood, swelling, and the appearance of blood clots. The features of stocking include:
- excellent stretch;
- excellent passage of moisture and air;
- easy restoration to its original shape and size.
Stockings are safe for the body. They are non-toxic, hypoallergenic and do not cause irritation. The properties of the laundry last for approximately 6 months with daily wear. After this, a change of linen is needed.
Stocking functions
Even if problems with veins never appeared, obstetricians and gynecologists recommend purchasing a pair of products. Why do I need stockings for childbirth? They are required to prevent the occurrence of thrombosis. When a baby is born, strong pressure is created in the womb. A huge load falls on the legs and pelvic organs. Therefore, blood stasis can occur in the veins. This leads to the formation of blood clots, which cause serious consequences, such as varicose veins of the legs, vagina, pelvic organs, unattractive appearance of the legs, covered with a net of blue vessels.
Thrombosis can be life threatening. Compression stockings for childbirth can minimize negative consequences, contribute to an even distribution of pressure in the limbs and protect against the appearance of blood clots.
Products are recommended not only for natural childbirth, but also for cesarean section. In both situations, women are long horizontal, on their backs. Intra-abdominal pressure appears with artificial delivery. In addition to the medical function, underwear reduces fatigue during childbirth. Putting products on is not so easy. It is advisable to do this in advance, at home. Doctors advise some women to wear compression hosiery even after childbirth, which serves to prevent vascular diseases.
Are they required?
Whether stockings are necessary for childbirth can only be determined by a doctor. Not all obstetricians attribute this attribute to be mandatory. Especially if there are no vascular pathologies in the woman in childbirth. But for the prevention of the product, it is still prescribed before delivery. Only these include simple medical stockings with a minimum of compression. They can be replaced with elastic bandages. But if it comes to varicose veins and other vascular diseases, special stockings for childbirth are required.
Usually, doctors prescribe products to wear during pregnancy when they find swelling and asterisks on their legs. Compression stockings are also required during childbirth and during recovery. With cesarean section, knitwear and bandages should be removed after a woman in labor can get up and move around the room. With varicose veins, women usually wear products 2 weeks after giving birth.
Act
During pregnancy, veins become weak, blood volume increases. The main function of compression stockings for childbirth is to exert external pressure on the vessels. With the weakening of the walls of the veins, poor opening and closing of the valves, blood flows down to the legs. It stagnates there.
Stockings are able to tighten limbs, tightly compress the veins. So the walls and valves will have support. The blood flow velocity is restored, the risk of blood stagnation is minimal. Medical underwear is able to exert uneven pressure on all parts of the leg. At the ankle, compression reaches 100%, and to the groin it decreases to 20%. This feature of linen allows you to provide the desired speed of blood flow. If you constantly wear such underwear, then you can not worry about the condition of your veins.
The choice
Compression jersey stretches perfectly, quickly restoring its original shape. In addition, it quickly lets air through. How to choose stockings for childbirth? Products come in 3 types:
- preventive;
- medical;
- antiembolic.
The main difference between the first 2 products is the degree of compression. It is measured in millimeters of mercury. For a preventive product, the compression effect is not more than 12 mm Hg. Art. Antiembolic stockings are rarely used for childbirth, only in the presence of thrombosis.
Compression classes
Compression stockings for childbirth in compression are 4 classes:
- Up to 23 mmHg Art. Used for varicose veins, spider veins, fatigue and swelling in the legs.
- Up to 32 mm. Products can eliminate the signs of varicose veins and thrombosis.
- Up to 46 mm. They are used for moderate and severe vascular lesions.
- From 50 mm. Lingerie is suitable for severe impaired lymph flow.
The size
When choosing compression underwear, you need to pay attention to other points. It is better to purchase natural cotton products with a small addition of synthetics. If the size of stockings or tights is indicated in the DEN, but they do not apply to medical underwear. On the package indicate the size and class of compression. The laundry should not have seams.
To choose the right size for stockings for childbirth, you need to know your parameters. Using a centimeter tape, you need to measure:
- Thigh circumference above 25 cm from the knee.
- Shin circumference in a wide area.
- The ankle circumference is slightly higher than the bone.
According to these parameters, the store will help you choose the right product. It is advisable to choose stockings for childbirth in a pharmacy. You can use the dimensional grid, which allows you to determine the desired type of stocking yourself.
| The size | 1 (S) | 2 (M) | 3 (L) | 4 (XL) |
| Ankle circumference (cm) | 19-22 | 22-25 | 25-28 | 29-32 |
| Shin circumference (cm) | 29-37 | 34-42 | 38-46 | 41-51 |
| The circumference of the upper thigh (cm) | 44-52 | 50-58 | 56-64 | 60-72 |
Based on this table, it will be possible to determine the appropriate size of stockings. In this case, the product will do its job perfectly.
Use and care
In the process of combating varicose veins, everyone has a question - how much and how to wear such underwear? The average duration of use is six months. It is required to put on stockings in the morning, on dry skin. Feet should be raised a little, stockings should be put together in an accordion for comfortable putting on.
The rules of care are as follows:
- it is necessary to wash by hand, using soap, every day;
- should not be twisted after washing, it is necessary to dry on a rope;
- can not be ironed;
- do not stretch the laundry, otherwise the healing properties will be lost;
- if the product is torn, it is advisable to choose a new one, as this may affect its functions;
- It is advisable to buy stockings 3-6 months.
According to reviews, stockings for childbirth do their job well. But still, you need to use them on the recommendation of a doctor.
How to wear stockings?
Since some manufacturers create stockings with a high degree of wear resistance, you can put on the same hosiery that was worn during pregnancy. The main condition for a successful birth is sterility. Therefore, the clothes on the woman in labor should be clean, including stockings.
To put on a product in the morning. This will be easier to do before the appearance of edema. If there is a cutout for the fingers, it is advisable to first put on a nylon toe, so putting on knitwear will be facilitated. When the product is distributed, the sock can be removed. Standard stockings are first collected in an accordion, and then inserted inside the foot.
Contraindications
The use of compression hosiery is useful for venous insufficiency. But there are diseases when such stockings must be used carefully. It refers to:
- chronic diseases of the arteries of the legs, when there is a reduced systolic pressure with narrowing of the lumen of the blood vessels;
- congestive dermatitis, eczema, open wounds;
- cardiopulmonary failure if blood circulation is disturbed during rest.
In these situations, you need to consult with a specialist in order not to harm your health.
Cost
You can choose compression underwear for prevention in almost every pharmacy. And stockings for childbirth with different compression classes are sold only in orthopedic stores and pharmacies. Often products are ordered online.
On medical stockings is not worth saving. If their price is less than 1000 rubles, then they can be worn for up to 2 months. It is advisable to choose stockings from 1500 rubles. In this case, the quality can not disappoint. Now there are many manufacturers, which makes it difficult to navigate the selection of suitable products.
Famous brands of stocking include:
- OPTO. This is medical underwear from Spain at a price of 950-2500 rubles. Depreciation is fast. If you wear it every day, it will last 4 months.
- MEDI Lingerie of excellent German quality. It is difficult to tear products, they are dense in structure. If stockings above grade 2 are required, then you need to purchase a special adaptation for putting on, since it will be difficult to do it yourself. The price of products is from 3200 rubles.
- VENOTEKS® Therapy. Products from the United States have medium wear resistance. The cost is in the range of 1000-3500 rubles. The service period is 6 months.
- Intex. This is Russian underwear conforming to the RAL-GZ 387 standard. The quality of goods is no worse than foreign products. You can wear them for at least six months. The cost is 1200-3500 rubles.
It is much better sometimes to spend money on the purchase of medical underwear than to buy medicines later. Compression stockings are worn not only during childbirth, but also during pregnancy. Having bought them, you can be sure of protection against varicose veins and thrombosis.