Should you wear compression socks when pregnant and flying?

Wear compression stockings or flight socks – these will help to improve your blood flow and also reduce risk of swelling pain that can be caused during a flight.



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Compression socks prevent swelling
Being able to stand up and walk around or stretching is limited on a plane; therefore, promoting blood circulation is necessary. “Compression socks help to increase circulation, thus preventing swelling in your lower legs and feet,” he explains.

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Since it's safe to wear your travel compression socks for 16+ hours, don't worry about putting them on early in the day. I bought compression socks for the whole family for a 9-hour air flight. We all wore our socks except for my son in law who exited the plane with swollen ankles. The rest of us had no swelling.

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When to put on compression socks for flying. It's recommended to start wearing compression socks before you board your flight or hop in the car for a long trip. Since it's safe to wear your travel compression socks for 16+ hours, don't worry about putting them on early in the day.

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You should wear your compression stockings during the day and take them off before going to bed. Put them on again first thing in the morning. You should be given at least 2 stockings, or 2 pairs if you're wearing them on both legs. This means you can wear 1 stocking (or pair) while the other is being washed and dried.

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During a healthy pregnancy, occasional air travel is almost always safe. Most airlines allow you to fly domestically until about 36 weeks of pregnancy. Your ob-gyn can provide proof of your due date if you need it.

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What to know about flying while pregnant and everything you need to do it comfortably
  1. Pack snacks. ...
  2. Turn to aromatherapy. ...
  3. BYOP: Bring your own pillow. ...
  4. Pack for your trimester. ...
  5. Scope out a doctor or hospital where you're going ahead of time. ...
  6. Pack and wear compression socks. ...
  7. Pack a bungee chord.


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If you've reached your 36th week or after, you'll need an obstetrician's certificate — the original and two copies — stating that you're fit for air travel. The certificate must be dated within three days (72 hours) of your flight departure.

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You can often arrange for priority boarding on airplanes and even some cruise ships if you are pregnant and require additional time or assistance to get to your seats or accommodations. For air travel, making such arrangements in advance is usually unnecessary: Simply speak to a representative from your airline.

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Compression socks should feel comfortable, like a gentle hug to your legs. Many describe this hug as a “supported” feeling. Compression socks or compression stockings made with graduated compression should feel tightest at the ankle and gradually get looser.

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Remember that anything over 6 hours flying time is considered long haul, but flights of longer than 10 hours are not uncommon either. One important thing to remember is to keep your seat belt fastened at all times in case of unexpected turbulence.

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