What are maternity compression stockings?
Maternity compression stockings are elastic stockings designed to fit a changing pregnant body. They squeeze the legs gently, with the most pressure at the ankle and less higher up. This graduated pressure helps the veins push blood back towards the heart.
Many are made as tights or pantyhose with a stretchy, supportive panel over the bump, so the waistband does not press on your belly. Others are knee-high or thigh-high stockings that you wear alone. Ordinary compression socks can work too, but maternity styles are shaped for comfort as your abdomen grows.
If you want the basics on how compression works, our complete guide to compression stockings explains pressure levels, lengths and materials.
Why pregnancy makes legs feel heavy
Several changes in pregnancy put extra load on leg veins:
- Hormones. Higher levels of pregnancy hormones relax the walls of veins, so they stretch more easily.
- More blood. Your blood volume rises during pregnancy to support the baby.
- Pressure from the womb. As the uterus grows, it presses on the large veins in the pelvis and slows blood returning from the legs.
- Less movement. Tiredness, nausea and discomfort can mean more sitting and less walking.
The result can be aching, swelling around the ankles, heavy or tired legs, and new or worsening varicose veins. Our guide to varicose veins in pregnancy covers what is normal, what is safe and what usually happens after birth.
What compression stockings may help with
Used properly, compression stockings are generally helpful for comfort. Women commonly report that they:
- Ease aching and heaviness, especially by the end of the day
- Reduce ankle and foot swelling
- Support veins that are already enlarged
The evidence is stronger for symptom relief than for preventing varicose veins. Guidelines on chronic venous disease, including those from the European Society for Vascular Surgery, support compression as a first-line way to manage symptoms. They do not claim it repairs the damaged valves behind varicose veins. For more on swelling in particular, see compression stockings for swelling.
Who should be careful or avoid them
Compression is not suitable for everyone. Speak to your doctor or midwife before buying if you have:
- Known poor circulation in the arteries of the legs
- Fragile, inflamed or broken skin on the legs
- An allergy to latex or synthetic fibres
- Numbness or loss of feeling in the feet
- A sudden swelling in one leg, which needs urgent assessment first
Wearing stockings over a possible blood clot is not safe until a doctor has checked you.
Stockings for blood clot prevention in pregnancy
Pregnancy and the weeks after birth carry a higher risk of venous thromboembolism, which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism. Your obstetric team assesses this risk using factors such as previous clots, family history, age, weight, caesarean birth and long periods of immobility.
If your risk is raised, you may be advised to wear specially fitted stockings, and sometimes other treatment. This is guided by obstetric guidelines such as the RCOG Green-top Guideline and NICE NG158. It is a medical plan, not something to decide alone. Read more on how to prevent DVT and on compression stockings for blood clots.
How to choose the right pair
A good fit is what makes stockings comfortable and effective. A few practical tips:
- Get measured properly. Ankle, calf and thigh sizes are usually measured, and sizes can change as pregnancy progresses. Many pharmacies and medical supply shops can help.
- Measure in the morning. Legs are least swollen then, which gives the most accurate size.
- Choose a length that suits your needs. Knee-high is easier to put on and often enough for ankle and calf symptoms. Thigh-high or tights cover more but can be warmer and harder to wear.
- Pick a pressure level your doctor recommends. Higher is not always better. Ask which strength suits you.
- Look for breathable fabric. In Singapore’s heat and humidity, a lighter, moisture-wicking material is more comfortable.
Replace stockings when they stretch out or lose their grip, as worn-out pairs give less support.
How to wear them comfortably
- Put them on before getting out of bed, or after lying with your legs raised for a few minutes, when the legs are least swollen.
- Smooth out wrinkles. Folds and creases can dig into the skin.
- Do not roll the top down. A rolled band acts like a tight ring and can restrict blood flow.
- Wash them as directed so the elastic keeps its strength.
- Take them off at night unless your doctor has told you to keep them on.
If you are new to compression, build up wear time gradually and check your skin each day for redness, sores or marks. You can read about possible problems in our guide to compression stocking side effects.
Other ways to support your legs
Stockings work best alongside everyday habits:
- Walk regularly and flex your ankles during long periods of sitting
- Rest with your legs raised above heart level when you can
- Avoid standing in one spot for long stretches
- Sleep on your left side if it feels comfortable, which can relieve pressure on a large pelvic vein
- Stay hydrated and wear loose clothing around the waist and thighs
If you already have varicose veins and want to know more about compression outside pregnancy, see compression socks for varicose veins.
When to see a doctor
Mention leg symptoms to your doctor or midwife at your next antenatal visit, especially if they are getting worse or keeping you from sleeping, working or moving comfortably. It is also worth asking for advice if:
- Stockings cause pain, numbness, tingling, blisters or colour changes in your feet
- You notice a rash, itching or broken skin under the stockings
- Your varicose veins become painful, hard, red or hot
- Swelling is severe or comes on quickly, particularly in the face and hands, as this may signal a pregnancy complication
When it’s an emergency: sudden pain, swelling, warmth or redness in one leg may be a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If you also have sudden chest pain, breathlessness or you cough up blood, call 995 or go to the nearest emergency department straight away. Do not wait to see whether it settles.
This article is general information and is not a substitute for advice from your own doctor. If you are unsure whether compression is right for you, you can also use our vein symptom check to help you decide what to ask.
Frequently asked questions
Are compression stockings safe during pregnancy?
For most pregnant women they are considered safe and are widely used for leg discomfort and swelling. Your doctor or midwife may advise against them if you have poor arterial circulation, certain skin conditions or an allergy to the material, so it is worth checking before you buy.
When should I start wearing compression stockings in pregnancy?
There is no single start date. Many women begin when leg heaviness, swelling or visible veins appear, which is often in the second or third trimester. If you have a strong family history of varicose veins or worked on your feet before pregnancy, you may choose to start earlier.
Do compression stockings prevent varicose veins in pregnancy?
The evidence that they prevent varicose veins from forming is limited. They are better supported for easing symptoms such as aching and swelling. Think of them as a comfort tool and part of a wider plan that includes movement and rest breaks.
Can I wear maternity compression stockings if I am at risk of a blood clot?
Pregnancy raises the risk of blood clots, and some women are advised to wear specially fitted stockings for this reason. That is a medical decision made by your obstetric team after assessing your risk, so follow their advice instead of choosing for yourself.
How long should I wear them after delivery?
Your care team will advise you. Some women stop soon after birth once swelling settles, while others with a higher clot risk are advised to continue for a set period. Do not stop early if you were prescribed stockings for clot prevention.
Sources and further reading
- NICE Guideline NG158: Venous thromboembolic diseases — diagnosis, management and thrombophilia testing
- RCOG Green-top Guideline No. 37a: Reducing the Risk of Thrombosis and Embolism during Pregnancy and the Puerperium
- NHS — Common symptoms in pregnancy
- NHS — Varicose veins
- European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) 2022 Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Chronic Venous Disease of the Lower Limbs
This article is general information, not personal medical advice. Please speak to a doctor about your own symptoms. How we create our content.
