With pregnancy comes a multitude of woes: swelling and varicose veins are just a couple of them. Finding the best maternity compression socks is one of the best ways to help combat these unpleasant side effects.
During pregnancy, your blood and fluid volumes increase by as much as 50%. While this is great for meeting the needs of your growing baby, it can leave you feeling swollen and achy.
Compression socks help relieve swollen ankles and legs by promoting blood circulation and oxygen flow. Not only does this reduce swelling, it also prevents blood clots, leg cramps, fatigue, and varicose veins.
Pregnancy can cause a lot of discomfort, so it's always a good idea to look into getting the some quality maternity clothes and other accessories that make you feel better.
According to a report by Swiss Medical Weekly, 30% of first-time moms and 55% percent of second-time moms develop varicose veins. Maternity compression stockings can help you avoid these painfully enlarged veins.
With an increased blood volume, pregnant women are at a high risk for blood clots. Factors such as inactivity, bed rest, and possible cesarean birth all increase that risk even more.
Wearing the best maternity compression socks can help prevent blood clots by aiding the veins in pumping blood back to the heart.
What to look for before you buy
- When looking for the best maternity compression socks, it's important to find ones with graduated compression. Graduated compression means that the socks provide the most compression around the ankle and less around the calf. This not only makes the sock fit more comfortably, it also aids in circulating the blood back towards the heart.
- Compression socks can come in a range anywhere from 8mmHg to 40mmHg, but the 15-20mmHg range and 20-30mmHg range often provides enough compression to suit most people's needs.
- The best maternity compression socks will have a no-slip grip along the top band to keep it from sliding down. Reaching down is hard enough with a bump in the way without having to adjust your sock every time you move.
- Pregnancy compression socks that feature no-slip traction, padded feet, and support soles aren't necessary, but they're an added bonus.
We've compiled a list of our favorite maternity compression stockings here to help you find the ones that best suit your needs.
And if you'd like to see what compression socks other moms recommend, don't miss this article here.
Quick comparison: Best maternity compression socks
Maternity | Features we love | Rating | Buy it now |
|---|---|---|---|
Compression Socks by Physix Gear Support | - Extremely well-made and comfortable | ||
Buttons & Pleats Compression Socks | - Ribbed cuffs keep - 100% money-back guarantee | ||
Compression Socks by Mubasel Gear | - Unique design, so they are more durable, denser, more | ||
Maternity Compression Socks by BeVisible Sports | - Breathable, durable, | ||
Pregnancy Compression Socks by MadeMother | - Easy to slip on and off without feeling too tight |
Keep reading for the full scoop on our top picks.
Compression Socks by Physix Gear Support
This sporty compression sock has a graduated compression range of 20-30 mmHg to give you a firm level of support.
The geometric heel design has a trendy look that many compression socks lack. It also comes in three different colors so that you have style options and still get the support that you need.
Made with antibacterial moisture wicking material, these socks are perfect for staying active while combating pregnancy-induced swelling.
While they must be hung to dry, these socks have a rapid drying feature so they're ready in just a couple hours. Just hang them up at night and you can wear them in the morning.
The wide graduated design of these socks is perfect for women with small feet and thick calves. Say goodbye to having to compromise with socks that are tight in the calf and loose in the feet!
Let's be honest: it's annoying to have to adjust your socks every 20 minutes, but thanks to the slide-proof cuff, these are guaranteed to stay in place.
Pros
- Rapid air dry
- Antibacterial
- Attractive
- 20-30mmHg
- Graduated compression
Cons
- Mediocre customer service
- Not enough compression in ankle
Why are these socks different?
We love how these socks are made from moisture-wicking material. That means they dry within hours and keep you sweat free all day long!
Buttons & Pleats Compression Socks
These compression socks have a moderate graduated compression grade of 15 mmHg to 20 mmHg. They are firm enough to provide adequate support for most women, yet relaxed enough to still be comfortable.
The supportive sole and reinforced heel provide enough pressure to help give your swollen feet relief. These socks will give you support where you need it yet give you space where you don't.
The seamless toe is designed to be roomy to help make you as comfortable as possible. The ribbed cuff will keep the tops of the socks from rolling down and squeezing your leg.
Pregnancy tends to throw off your balance, but the anti-skid traction on the bottom of these socks will help keep your feet planted firmly on the
ground.The breathable material is thick enough to give you adequate support, yet thin enough to keep you cool.
Due to the lengthy leg material, these maternity socks are perfect for tall women or women with long legs.
Pros
- 15-20mmHg graduated compression
- Lightweight
- Roomy, seamless toe
- Anti-skid traction
Cons
- Tears easily
- Thin enough to feel like hosiery
Why are these socks different?
This lightweight sock isn't thick and hot like most compression socks. The breathable design is a blessing for anyone who has ever had to suffer through pregnancy-induced hot flashes.
Compression Socks by Mubasel Gear
These 20-30mmHg compression socks are made with a 200-thread count material, making them more durable and supportive. They feature a strategically designed mesh leg that offers superior calf support and advanced breathability.
Sore feet are common during pregnancy, but the supportive sole and lightly cushioned heel of these socks provide all day comfort and support.
The blended nylon and lycra material is natural antibacterial and moisture wicking, to keep your feet dry and odor free all day.
The no slip cuff will keep the tops in place, saving you the annoyance and discomfort of rolled socks. These thick socks will help you keep warm during winter pregnancies!
Pros
- 20-30mmHg compression
- Antibacterial
- Moisture wicking
- Padded support sole
Cons
- Sizing chart is off
Why are these socks different?
Made with a 200-thread count, these compression socks are more supportive, fitted, and durable than other, more lightweight options.
Maternity Compression Socks by BeVisible Sports
These compression stockings have a firm graduated compression range of 20-30mmHg that will give you plenty of support and relieve your pregnancy aches and pains. The open toe gives you a little bit of breathing room without sacrificing compression where you need it.
Made with a thick quality material, these stockings are made to last, ensuring that you won't be stuck with torn stockings and painfully swollen legs. The quality weave gives just the right amount of compression to give you relief without sacrificing comfort. With the long leg portion and adjustable open toe, these compression socks are great for tall moms!
While they may not be the most fashionable compression socks, they provide excellent support that other brands may sacrifice for style. With the nude color, they are perfect for lounging around the house or can even be hidden under work clothes.
Pros
- 20-3mmHg graduated compression
- Quality weave
- Open toe
Cons
- Not stylish
- Bunches up at ankle
- Sizes run small
Why are these socks different?
Made with a thick quality material, these compression socks make function a priority. With a firm 20-30mmHg compression range and quality weave, they are designed to give excellent support and relief.
Pregnancy Compression Socks by MadeMother
These attractive compression socks may not look like your average compression sock, but they certainly function like one. These are a true medical-grade, graduated compression option, ensuring the perfect amount of comfort and support for your whole leg.
They feature a 25-30 mmHg compression range at the foot and ankle, a 15-20 mmHg compression range on the calf, and a 10-15 mmHg compression range at the knee. Made with a thick cotton weave, these socks are stylish and warm enough to be paired with your favorite winter boots, yet they provided just the right amount of ventilation.
You don't have to sacrifice fashion to get the support you need, thanks to the trendy woven texture and neutral gray color.
With a supportive sole and padded toe box, these socks are a relief for sore feet.
Designed to fit up to a 20" calf, these socks are a great choice for women with thick calves, but can adapt to all kind of bodies—petite and plus-size ladies, tall and short, just about everyone!
Pros
- Stylish
- 20-30mmHg truly graduated compression
- Warm
- Padded support sole
Cons
- Top band rolls down
Why are these socks different?
Made with true medical-grade graduated compression, these socks provide the perfect amount of support for your entire leg and foot.
Pregnancy brings with it the need for all kinds of products, from informative books and prenatal vitamins to pillows for back pain.
Pregnancy can also cause a plethora of unpleasant side effects including swelling, varicose veins, blood clots, and pain. Finding a good pair of pregnancy compression socks can help relieve these annoying and sometimes dangerous side effects.
Compression socks promote blood circulation and oxygen flow, which prevent these dysfunctions from forming. The best maternity compression socks, like the ones we reviewed here, will have a graduated compression within the range of 15-20mmHg and 20-30mmHg.
Depending on your preference, a compression sock that features a no-slip top band, grip traction, lightly padded feet, and a support sole may help make you more comfortable while still providing the support you need.
Now all that's left to do is to put your feet up, place an order, and wait for your new favorite pair of socks to arrive!
Featured image: Daniel Max
