MD Podiatrist Discusses Compression Socks for Pregnant Women

When shopping for compression socks, podiatrist Dan Michaels, DPM, MS, says pregnant women should start with a mild compression of 15-20 millimeters of mercury (mmHg). This is the same scale of measurement used for blood pressure and indicates the level of compression at different parts of the sock.
 
 
You should also consider how comfortable the socks are and whether they provide measurable relief. “Listen to your body,” says Dr. Michaels. “If you’re feeling discomfort while wearing your compression socks, it’s time to remove them, elevate your feet, then put them back on once your swelling has gone down.”