Can I sleep with compression stockings on?

I am 21 weeks pregnant and my whole leg and feet really hurt. I only have knee-length compression hose. Can I sleep with them on?

Answers from doctors (15)


Tulane Heart & Vascular Institute

Published on Jul 31, 2013

Yes. It is important that you have a doctor consider an ultrasound of your veins. A surgical supply store may have better leg support if you need them.

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Answered by Tulane Heart & Vascular Institute

Yes. It is important that you have a doctor consider an ultrasound of your veins. A surgical supply store may have better leg support if you need them.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Arizona Vein Specialists

Published on Apr 30, 2013

Yes, it is OK to sleep with compression hose on.

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Answered by Arizona Vein Specialists

Yes, it is OK to sleep with compression hose on.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of Orange County

Published on Apr 23, 2013

Healthy young patients may sleep with 20-30 mmHg or 30-40 mmHg compression stockings, but older patients with arterial insufficiency may not.

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Answered by Vein Center of Orange County

Healthy young patients may sleep with 20-30 mmHg or 30-40 mmHg compression stockings, but older patients with arterial insufficiency may not.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Sheen Vein Institute

Published on Apr 23, 2013

You can wear compression stockings at night; however, given that you are pregnant, you would be better off wearing a thigh-high compression stocking instead of the knee-high. Part of the reason your whole leg may hurt is because the pregnancy and swelling is affecting your entire leg and not just the part below your knee. The thigh-high stocking may help control this.

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Answered by The Sheen Vein Institute

You can wear compression stockings at night; however, given that you are pregnant, you would be better off wearing a thigh-high compression stocking instead of the knee-high. Part of the reason your whole leg may hurt is because the pregnancy and swelling is affecting your entire leg and not just the part below your knee. The thigh-high stocking may help control this.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


VeinSolutions - Edina

Published on Apr 23, 2013

Yes, you certainly can sleep with your compression hose on if it gives you some relief. You may want to ask your OB/GYN about thigh-high compression hose if your entire leg(s) is hurting. Full-length compression may offer more relief over simply wearing knee-high compression hose.

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Answered by VeinSolutions - Edina

Yes, you certainly can sleep with your compression hose on if it gives you some relief. You may want to ask your OB/GYN about thigh-high compression hose if your entire leg(s) is hurting. Full-length compression may offer more relief over simply wearing knee-high compression hose.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Published on Apr 23, 2013

You really need the panty compression hose designed for pregnancy.

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Answered by Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

You really need the panty compression hose designed for pregnancy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein 911

Published on Apr 22, 2013

Absolutely! Wearing stockings overnight is perfectly fine and many of my patients do it. However, if you develop numbness, tingling and/or foot pain when wearing stockings while lying down in bed, take the hose off immediately. Venous pressure decreases when you are lying down and sometimes the stocking pressure is too much and may compress arteries and/or nerves.

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Answered by Vein 911

Absolutely! Wearing stockings overnight is perfectly fine and many of my patients do it. However, if you develop numbness, tingling and/or foot pain when wearing stockings while lying down in bed, take the hose off immediately. Venous pressure decreases when you are lying down and sometimes the stocking pressure is too much and may compress arteries and/or nerves.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

Published on Apr 22, 2013

Yes, you can sleep with compression stockings on, but make sure that they fit properly.

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Answered by Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

Yes, you can sleep with compression stockings on, but make sure that they fit properly.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Apr 22, 2013

Typically, it's not a problem if you wear compression stockings at night while you sleep. However, you should double check with your MD.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

Typically, it's not a problem if you wear compression stockings at night while you sleep. However, you should double check with your MD.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Apr 22, 2013

You can sleep with compression hose. They help to decompress the veins and improve the venous return.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

You can sleep with compression hose. They help to decompress the veins and improve the venous return.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Americas Vein Centers - Southborough

Published on Apr 22, 2013

I would not recommend wearing compression stockings to bed, for this could result in over-compression.

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Answered by Americas Vein Centers - Southborough

I would not recommend wearing compression stockings to bed, for this could result in over-compression.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein & Laser Centre, Ltd.

Published on Apr 22, 2013

I would discourage knee-high stockings. There are pregnancy panty hose. You may sleep in them if you want, but I'd recommend not wearing hose and resting in bed with the foot of the bed elevated.

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Answered by Advanced Vein & Laser Centre, Ltd.

I would discourage knee-high stockings. There are pregnancy panty hose. You may sleep in them if you want, but I'd recommend not wearing hose and resting in bed with the foot of the bed elevated.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on Apr 22, 2013

Sure you can wear compression stockings when you sleep, but do not do it every night. Your skin needs to breath and your leg needs periods where it can decompress.

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Answered by Heart and Vein Center

Sure you can wear compression stockings when you sleep, but do not do it every night. Your skin needs to breath and your leg needs periods where it can decompress.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Apr 22, 2013

You can sleep with compression hose on, although this usually isn't necessary, since laying flat should help at night. Ask your vein doctor for specific recommendations.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

You can sleep with compression hose on, although this usually isn't necessary, since laying flat should help at night. Ask your vein doctor for specific recommendations.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Apr 22, 2013

You can wear compression stockings while you sleep, but most people take them off.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

You can wear compression stockings while you sleep, but most people take them off.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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