Compression Therapy during Pregnancy: Contraindications and Benefits

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

But the reality is that nine months is a long time, and although filled with beautiful moments, it also means increasing strain on both the bone and muscle structure. Let’s not forget there is a baby growing day by day and that the amniotic fluid also has its weight. And if that weren’t enough, there is also fluid retention during pregnancy, which can become 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 less informed, rest was emphasized as the number one recommendation. It’s not that rest is bad or discouraged today, but now we have many more resources that improve the well-being of moms.

And among the best, Compression Therapy for pregnant women! Something that contributes to the development of a healthier pregnancy and also, attention, to a faster 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 Compression Therapy and pregnancy. Yes, it is good to do Compression Therapy during pregnancy. In fact, it is not only good but excellent, because taking care of the lymphatic system in this state is absolutely essential if we want to minimize the toll pregnancy takes on the body.

When to do Compression Therapy during pregnancy?

In the first months of pregnancy, there is a significant hormonal change, and in the last months, an increase in blood flow and pressure. All of this is normal and 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 a buildup of fluid between tissues known as edema.

Compression therapy 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 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 runs from the feet to the heart. So, around the fourth month of pregnancy and always with medical approval, leg massage is more than advisable. Compression therapy 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 compression therapy for pregnant women!

Benefits of compression therapy during pregnancy

Compression therapy mainly helps prevent risks derived from fluid retention and, in doing so, also helps prevent the formation of cellulite, varicose veins, or small venous thromboses in the final period or during childbirth.

• Reduce fluid retention and relieve ankle swelling
  
  In most cases, we find women seeking relief from swollen ankles, the sensation of tired and numb legs due to weight changes and circulatory variations.
  
  In these cases, frequent use of compression therapy boots helps reduce fluid retention and thus decrease the volume of legs, ankles, and feet during pregnancy.
  
  It is especially recommended 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 compression therapy, we improve circulation, which is an excellent help for women who suffer from circulatory changes caused by hormonal shifts during pregnancy.
  
  One of the least desired consequences after childbirth is the appearance of varicose veins due to small venous ruptures, which can be prevented by the continuous use of compression therapy boots.
  
  In this article, you have more information about the Compression Therapy treatment to combat varicose veins.
  
  
• Improve the appearance of the skin
  
  Compression Therapy 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 can find more information in our article about the benefits of Compression Therapy for cellulite.
  
  
• Prevent possible venous thrombosis in the last period or during delivery
  
  During pregnancy, placental hormones cause changes in the blood, making it thicker. 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 Compression Therapy during pregnancy

Regarding Compression Therapy during pregnancy and its contraindications, we must make it clear that it is not indicated during the first trimester. It can be applied from the fourth month onward, but NEVER on the abdomen or pubic area. 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 pressure on the trunk, pelvis, and abdomen

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

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

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

In the case that only pneumatic compression therapy 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 issues, and swelling in legs, ankles, etc.

We suggest you read our compression therapy contraindications guide for more extensive and complete information. However, consulting a doctor before using compression therapy is always advisable.

Compression Therapy postpartum

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

Without a doubt, the use of compression therapy treatment postpartum will help recover your figure, improve skin appearance by preventing 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 compression therapy can help improve our circulation during pregnancy and aid in fluid elimination among many other benefits that will continue and increase even postpartum.

Thanks to SIZEN Compression Therapy and the adaptation of habits, diets, and training, you can relieve the feeling of fatigue during pregnancy and reduce the effects of circulation changes and fluid retention after childbirth, improving your physical condition and, ultimately, your health.

Additional tips:

• 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 your legs, moving in circular and upward motions.
• During your shower, massage your whole body with a loofah glove, using moderate pressure. It works 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 rest periods.
• Sleep well, at least 8 hours.

Let's 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 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 + COMPRESSION THERAPY

We conclude this article about pregnancy and compression therapy 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 compression therapy, 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 a beauty center for that, how about enjoying the advantages and benefits of compression therapy at home? How about using compression therapy during pregnancy and also after it?

SIZEN, for you who are a woman and a mother

SIZEN is compression therapy for pregnant women but also for any woman who wants to keep taking care of herself, especially after childbirth. Because if compression therapy during pregnancy is good, compression therapy 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, or do you fear it might? 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 look good and show off before becoming a mom, now you deserve no less pampering. Still doubtful? Cheer up and read the many positive reviews about compression therapy and pregnancy available online. Also, take note of all the advantages you have by having a SIZEN compression therapy device at home:

• So easy to use 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 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 to pose no risk)

And what can we tell you about the price of compression therapy for pregnancy? Simply that home compression therapy is nowadays an infinitely more affordable 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 compression therapy device to use at home can undoubtedly be the best thing you could buy for your health and well-being.

And you can also 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 the compression therapy boots you deserve. The baby is already expecting many gifts, but what about you? Happy pregnancy and recovery. With SIZEN compression therapy, that and more is guaranteed.