Best Compression Socks For Pregnancy - What To Expect

Compression socks weren’t on my radar during the early days of pregnancy. In fact, I hadn’t even considered them until my doctor suggested I try them to address chronic nerve pain. At first, I panicked — was something wrong? But as it turns out, compression socks are a popular pregnancy accessory.

“Compression socks are used during pregnancy to improve circulation, prevent varicose veins and reduce swelling (edema in the legs),” says Dr. Jill Hechtman, board-certified OB/GYN at Pediatrix Medical Group. According to Dr. Hechtman, your growing uterus can put pressure on the veins in your legs, decreasing blood flow, which causes swelling (it affects about three-quarters of pregnant women!). “In pregnancy, the body is at increased risk of blood clots,” she adds, but compression socks have been proven to help.

And unlike most of your maternity wardrobe, compression socks are a fantastic tool to help with postpartum swelling or promote better blood flow while traveling or working at a desk job. Once you find a pair or two you like, you’ll likely get plenty of use out of them later.

But finding the best possible pair of compression socks for you is easier said than done. I was overwhelmed by the options. Did I need mild or moderate compression? And what does mmHg even mean, anyway? If shopping for the best compression socks for pregnancy has you just as confused (or crying all the frustrated tears — hello, hormones!), I’ve got your back with answers to all of your questions along with 10 mom-approved and doctor-vetted pairs.

How I Chose the Best Compression Socks for Pregnancy

When you're desperate for relief, you may be quick to grab the first pair of compression socks you see. But compression socks aren’t one-size-fits-all, so a little research is required before you add them to your cart.

To help with that process, I spoke to Dr. Hechtman and Iffath Hoskins, M.D., an OB-GYN at NYU Langone Health in New York City to learn how compression socks work and what to look for to maximize their effect. I also reviewed recommendations from the American Pregnancy Association. Based on this guidance, the best compression socks for pregnancy will:

• Offer graduated compression, meaning the pressure is greatest towards the feet and gradually lessens up to the knee, allowing for better blood flow.
• Or provide adequate compression, but are comfortable.
• Have at least knee-high coverage to promote the best level of circulatory support during pregnancy. “There are plenty of choices on the market, but what is most important is comfort. I recommend knee-high socks that have between 20-30 mmHg,” Dr. Hechtman says. “You don't want them too loose or too tight.”

I leaned heavily on my own experience as a mom of two who regularly wears compression socks to support healthy blood flow and alleviate chronic nerve pain in my lower legs and feet, considering around 30 brands of compression socks suggested by What to Expect’s community members. I gathered any recommendations that met Dr. Hechtman and Dr. Hoskins’s standards and narrowed down my list to the top 10 based on which factors were most important to moms, including those:

• Made of comfortable fabric.
• Easy to put on and take off.
• Available in a wide range of sizes.