Pressotherapy during pregnancy: contraindications and benefits

Pregnancy is a crucial stage in a woman’s life. Whether a first-time mother or not, it is a precious moment in a woman’s existence but it has its effects, not always so positive, on a woman’s body. Because although evolutionarily prepared to gestate new life, her body is not rubber, and it is not always able to revert its state with the same ease and speed. In fact, it is time to demystify the saying “everything goes back to its place” because it is never 100% true. What is clear is that a younger body generally recovers sooner and better.

But the reality is that nine months is a long time, and although they are full of beautiful moments, they also mean an increasing overload for both the bone and muscle structure. Let’s not forget that there is a baby growing day by day and that the amniotic fluid also has its weight. And if that were not enough, there is also fluid retention during pregnancy, which can be very pronounced and cause many discomforts from early morning. So how to take proper care and reduce the negative effects? How to successfully combat swollen legs during pregnancy? In the past, when doctors were not as well informed, rest was emphasized as the number one recommendation. And it’s not that it is bad or discouraged today, but now we have many more resources that improve the well-being of moms.

And among the best, pressotherapy for pregnant women! Something that contributes to the development of a healthier pregnancy and attention, also to a quicker postpartum recovery. So if you are pregnant or know a woman who is, keep reading because we tell you everything you need to know about pressotherapy and pregnancy. Yes, it is good to do pressotherapy during pregnancy. In fact, it is not only good but great, because taking care of the lymphatic system in this state is essential if we want to minimize the toll pregnancy takes on the body.

When to do pressotherapy during pregnancy?

In the first months of pregnancy, there is a great hormonal change and in the last months, an increase in blood flow and pressure. All of this is normal and is due to the growth of the fetus. It is then common to complain of heaviness in the legs, tingling or pain, swelling in the ankles, or the appearance of varicose veins. The lymphatic system, responsible for redirecting bodily fluids to cleanse the body, is also affected by the pressure that the growing belly exerts on it. This causes an accumulation of fluid between tissues known as edema.

Pressotherapy has been recognized as a safe and beneficial option for pregnant women from the second trimester of gestation.

Another of the most common problems is usually some dysfunction in venous return. That is why doctors recommend keeping the legs elevated for a while every day. This reactivates the blood circuit, which goes from the feet to the heart. So around the fourth month of pregnancy and always with medical approval, leg massage is more than recommended. Pressotherapy and pregnancy are therefore an ideal combination when it comes to improving circulation and decongesting the legs. Let’s move on to the main benefits of pressotherapy in pregnant women!

Benefits of pressotherapy during pregnancy

Pressotherapy helps, above all, to prevent risks derived from fluid retention and, with it, we also help prevent the formation of cellulite, varicose veins, or small venous thromboses in the last period or during delivery.

• Reduce fluid retention and relieve ankle swelling
  
  In most cases, we find women seeking to relieve swollen ankles, the sensation of tired and numb legs due to weight change and circulatory variations.
  
  In these cases, the frequent use of pressotherapy boots helps reduce fluid retention and thus reduce the volume of legs, ankles, and feet during pregnancy.
  
  It is especially advisable during the third trimester of pregnancy although it can be applied from the second; swelling of the ankles is more common in the last weeks due to the increase in blood volume and pressure changes caused by the growth of the fetus.
• It is an effective treatment for the prevention of varicose veins
  
  Thanks to pressotherapy we improve circulation, which is an excellent help for women who suffer from circulatory alterations caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy.
  
  One of the least desired consequences postpartum is the appearance of varicose veins due to small venous ruptures, which can be avoided by the continued use of pressotherapy boots.
  
  In this article, you have more information about the pressotherapy treatment to combat varicose veins.
  
  
• Improve the appearance of the skin
  
  Pressotherapy has a positive effect on circulation, increasing oxygen levels in the blood, which promotes cell regeneration and improves the appearance of our skin.
• Reduce or prevent the appearance of cellulite
  
  It improves by stimulating the lymphatic system and producing drainage; this release of localized fat in the buttocks, saddlebags, and thighs improves the elimination of orange peel skin and helps prevent it from reappearing.
  
  You have more information in our article that talks about the benefits of pressotherapy for cellulite.
  
  
• Prevent possible venous thrombosis in the last period or during delivery
  
  During pregnancy, placental hormones cause changes in the blood, making it denser. This change may seem illogical and we do not understand why our circulation worsens during gestation, but it is the way the body prepares for delivery, preventing bleeding problems.

Contraindications of pressotherapy during pregnancy

Regarding pressotherapy during pregnancy and its contraindications, we must make it clear that it is not indicated during the first trimester. It is from the fourth month that it can be applied, but NEVER on the abdomen or pubis. Only on the legs or arms if there is also edema in them caused by pregnancy. In summary, here are the contraindications:

• Avoid undergoing this treatment during the first 12 weeks.
• Do not apply any type of pressure on the trunk, pelvis, and abdomen

Ideally, follow a treatment of up to three sessions per week, leaving a rest between sessions to avoid saturating the lymphatic system.

On the other hand, we must not forget the general contraindications of pressotherapy, regardless of whether pregnancy exists or not. We should be cautious and the use of pressotherapy is discouraged in the following cases:

• Hypertension.
• Open skin lesions in the area to be compressed during treatment.
• Coronary or arterial problems
• Thrombosis or thrombophlebitis
• Infections or febrile processes

In the case that only pneumatic pressotherapy boots are used, there are no risks for the baby or the mother, in fact, it will be a great ally to reduce symptoms of fatigue, circulation, and swelling of legs, ankles, etc.

We suggest you read our pressotherapy contraindications guide for more extensive and complete information. However, medical consultation before using pressotherapy is always advisable.

Pressotherapy postpartum

Another major question our team receives concerns the use of pressotherapy after childbirth.

Without a doubt, the use of pressotherapy treatment postpartum will help recover the silhouette, improve the appearance of the skin by preventing the formation of stretch marks, sagging in arms or legs, or the formation of cellulite on thighs and buttocks.

In conclusion, we can say that it is true that pressotherapy can help improve our circulation during pregnancy and aid in the elimination of fluids among many other benefits that will continue and increase even postpartum.

Thanks to SIZEN pressotherapy and the adaptation of habits, diets, and training, you can relieve the feeling of fatigue during pregnancy and reduce the consequences of changes in circulation and fluid retention after childbirth, improving your physical shape and, ultimately, your health.

Additional advice:

• Engage in some physical activity throughout pregnancy to maintain muscle tone and reactive circulation. Long walks, swimming, yoga, pilates…
• Light but nutritious diet and whenever possible, 100% homemade.
• Drink at least 2 liters of water a day.
• Wear loose clothing, without tightness.
• Apply cold showers on the legs, in a circular and upward motion.
• During the shower, massage your entire body with a horsehair glove, with moderate intensity. It serves as an exfoliant and lymphatic stimulant.
• Keep your legs elevated for about 10-15 minutes every day.
• To avoid varicose veins during pregnancy, it is also good to reduce the time you spend standing. Alternate with periods of rest.
• Sleep well, a minimum of 8 hours.

Let us also remember that during pregnancy, prolactin is produced, a hormone that prepares the breast for breastfeeding. This, combined with weight gain and the compression of blood vessels due to the baby's growth, is one of the main reasons why cellulite appears during pregnancy. The only way to prevent or minimize orange peel skin during pregnancy is by taking good care of yourself. And this is the basic formula you need:

LIGHT AND BALANCED DIET + MODERATE PHYSICAL EXERCISE + PRESSOTHERAPY

We conclude this article about pregnancy and pressotherapy by also reminding you that after childbirth, the body will need time to fully recover. So now that you know you can treat swollen legs during pregnancy with pressotherapy, this therapy applied as a postpartum treatment could continue to be the best solution to recover your figure as soon as possible. And although you can always go to an aesthetic center for that, how about enjoying the advantages and benefits of pressotherapy at home? How about using pressotherapy during pregnancy and also after it?

SIZEN, for you who are a woman and mother

SIZEN is pressotherapy for pregnant women but also for any woman who wants to keep taking care of herself, especially after childbirth. Because if pressotherapy during pregnancy is good, pressotherapy after pregnancy can be just as good or better. Unfortunately, many women neglect themselves after childbirth, with little time for themselves, between work, house care, or children… and that ends up taking a toll on their bodies.

Has it happened to you, is it happening to you, or do you fear it might happen? What we can tell you is that as little as you can, you should make time for yourself in your schedule. If you liked to dress up and show off before becoming a mom, now you deserve no less pampering. Still doubtful? Cheer up and read the many positive reviews about pressotherapy and pregnancy available on the Internet. Also, take note of all the advantages you have by having a SIZEN pressotherapy device at home:

• So easy to use that you could almost do it with your eyes closed.
• Lightweight, compact, portable, and not bulky at all.
• With 4 programs and 6 differentiated air chambers.
• With many complementary garments.
• Sessions of up to 90 mins (30-45 mins are enough, but if you want to extend your session, don’t worry, not even during pregnancy, because the pressure is calculated so that it poses no risk)

And what can we tell you about the price of pregnancy pressotherapy? Simply that home pressotherapy is nowadays an infinitely more economical option than going to a center several times a month. And considering that after the first trimester of pregnancy, you still have many months and days ahead, a pressotherapy device to use at home can undoubtedly be the best thing you could buy for your health and well-being.

And also, you can continue using it during postpartum recovery and throughout the rest of your life, whether for aesthetic, therapeutic, or sports purposes. Take advantage of the financing options offered by SIZEN and bring home the lymphatic massage machine and pressotherapy boots you deserve. The baby is already expecting many gifts, but what about you? Happy pregnancy and recovery. With SIZEN pressotherapy, that and more is guaranteed.