Putting On Compression Stockings While Pregnant: Tips & Tricks for a Growing Belly
You've made the smart choice to wear maternity compression stockings for a healthier, more comfortable pregnancy – fantastic! You understand their benefits for reducing swelling, preventing varicose veins, and aiding in DVT prevention. But then comes the daily challenge: actually getting them on, especially as your beautiful baby bump grows!
Let's be honest, putting on compression stockings during pregnancy can feel like an Olympic sport. Reaching your feet becomes a quest, and the snug fit, while therapeutic, can be a struggle. Don't get discouraged! This guide is packed with practical tips and tricks for pregnant women to make donning your pregnancy compression socks easier, ensuring you get all the comfort and health benefits they offer without the daily wrestling match.
Why Are Compression Stockings So Hard to Put On?
It's not just you! Compression stockings for pregnancy are designed to be snug – that's how they provide their therapeutic graduated pressure. This tightness, combined with:
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A Growing Belly: Making it difficult to bend over.
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Reduced Flexibility: Ligaments are looser, but overall range of motion can decrease.
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Fatigue: You're often more tired, making extra effort feel monumental.
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Swollen Fingers/Hands: Can make gripping and pulling harder.
...can turn a simple task into a major workout. But fear not, we have solutions!
Top Tips & Tricks for Effortless Donning (Even with a Bump!)
1. Timing is Everything (and Hydration):
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First Thing in the Morning: Your legs are least swollen right after waking up. Put your maternity compression stockings on before you get out of bed, ideally before gravity has a chance to cause any swelling. This also means your skin is less likely to be damp from lotions, making them easier to slide on.
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Dry Skin: Ensure your legs are completely dry. If you use lotion, wait until it's fully absorbed.
2. Techniques to Master:
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The "Inside-Out" Method: This is a game-changer for many!
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Reach inside the stocking and grab the heel.
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Pull the stocking inside out, almost down to the heel, leaving just the foot section right-side out.
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Slip your foot into the foot section.
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Carefully pull the stocking up over your heel, then gradually unroll it up your leg, smoothing out any wrinkles as you go.
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Sitting Down: Always put them on while sitting in a stable chair. This provides support and makes reaching easier.
3. Utilizing Tools (Your New Best Friends):
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Donning Gloves: Rubber gloves or specialized donning gloves provide extra grip on the fabric, making it much easier to pull and adjust without snagging the material. They also protect your nails!
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Stocking Donners/Aids: These socks sid or stockings glider are designed to help you get the stocking over your foot and up your leg without excessive bending. They come in flexible fabric sleeves and can be incredibly helpful, especially in the later stages of pregnancy..
4. Smooth and Even Application:
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Avoid Bunching: Never let the stocking bunch up, especially behind the knee, as this can create a tourniquet effect and hinder circulation. Smooth out all wrinkles.
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No Tugging from the Top: This can stretch and damage the elastic fibers. Instead, work the stocking up your leg gradually from the ankle upwards.
Patience is a Virtue (and the Payoff is Worth It!)
It might take a few tries to find the method that works best for you, but don't give up! The comfort, swelling relief, and vital leg support for pregnant women that maternity compression stockings provide are truly invaluable. Make these pregnancy self-care tips part of your daily routine, and enjoy a more comfortable pregnancy journey.
