Overall, I really cannot complain about my third pregnancy. No vomiting, no overly crazy mood swings (yet ;)), no pimples and thank god no second miscarriage. Really, things are not so bad. Except for one thing: varicose veins. And the accompanying compression sock hassle.
Genetic predisposition for varicose veins
Sadly, varicose veins run in my family. Literally all my aunts and uncles, my grandma, and my mom have had their veins stripped at some point in their lives. All the women have developed it during pregnancy, too. When I was pregnant with Bubsi I was so glad to be spared, this time there is no escape it seems.
As I have seen the members of my family struggle with varicose related issues for years, I really wanted to do everything I can to prevent it from getting worse. So I told the doc immediately when I saw a bigger vein and my legs started to feel heavy during first trimester. And guess what, during pregnancy there is really not much you can do about it. Except for wearing my new best friends, compression socks.
Compression socks suck
Since the end of May I have been wearing thigh high compression stockings. Every single day, from the moment I get up in the morning until just before bedtime. They do help. I notice it and that is why I have been diligent to not ever leave them in the closet. If only they did not come with annoying side effects. Compression stockings dry out my skin, so it itches a lot even though I do put lots of oil and lotion every night. On very hot days, I develop an allergic reaction to the silicone band that keeps the socks from falling down my legs. They are a pain to put on and take off, but the far worst of it: they need washing, hand washing, every single day. And it needs to happen at least ten hours before I get up and have to put them back on, for otherwise they will still be wet. Good luck if you only get one pair.
The health insurance pays for two pairs of compression socks a year. As my doctor recommended just getting one pair to start with, so I can receive a second pair in case my body shape changes in pregnancy, I had no pair to switch. The daily washing at the right time is quite a nuisance, let me tell you. Still, I did as required, until… My only pair broke. Two big holes, at the bottom of both feet. After just two months, when they are supposed to last you half a year (that is why insurance pays two pair a year). To have them fixed I paid a lot of money, but they broke again within a month. When they were broken my legs throbbed and got substantially worse. What a hassle!
Lessons learned
I got my second pair prescribed. I picked a different brand, to see if this new company has better quality stockings, and paid a premium for this out of my own pocket. And I also got myself a pair of my own for 150€. To be able to switch them. Wash them with less stress. And hopefully prolong their lifetime. Because let me tell you, broken socks suck.
