Long stretches of sitting still are one of the situations compression is genuinely useful for, and travel is where most women first hear about it.
Before you travel
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Put them on before you leave the house, not at the gate. Getting them on after two hours in an airport is much harder.
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Tell your midwife or doctor about the trip. Travel during pregnancy comes with its own guidance, and long journeys are something they will want to know about. They may have specific advice for you.
During
- Keep them on for the whole journey, including layovers
- Get up and walk when you safely can
- Move your ankles and flex your calves regularly while seated
- Drink water
Afterwards
Keep them on for the rest of the travel day if you are still on your feet or sitting in transfers. Take them off at bedtime as usual.
The honest framing
Sitting for long periods does raise clot risk, and pregnancy raises it too. Health authorities do suggest compression stockings and in-seat leg exercises as part of general travel advice for some people. What we are not going to tell you is that a pair of socks prevents blood clots, because that is not a claim a sock can make.
If clot risk during travel is a concern for you, particularly if you have a history of clots or a family history, that is a conversation to have with your care team before you book. They may recommend something specific.
Calf pain, swelling in one leg, warmth or redness, chest pain or breathlessness during or after travel needs urgent medical attention. See the full list.
