Question for all corporate/office worker types...

[OceanPrincess]

So I just read on a website somewhere (not BB!) that you should avoid wearing half-stockings and stocking socks during pregnancy. Apparently it can restrict the flow of blood, causing swelling and stuff.

My question is for all the corporate types, or those that are wearing uniforms that have pants - obviously its winter and freezing cold, so I can't wear open toe shoes right now, so what am I supposed to wear under my boots/with shoes???

I guess I could wear socks with boots, but what about flat shoes? Socks would look ridiculous with my suit pants.

[Devon]

Hi OP, I've never heard of this, I wear knee-high stockings every day to work. They're not that tight and I really don't think it would be a massive problem. Maybe you could just find some loose ones? Are you having problems with swelling? If you're not, I wouldn't worry about it too much.

[Aimz]

I wear tights with my flats and work pants in winter. They aren't knee highs - they are just like socks. You can buy them in navy, black, and tan and they work a treat to keep my feet warm while also keeping up the coporate look. When I wear my heels I always go the knee highs in tan. I don't think knee highs are tight at all though. You should be fine!

[BekZ]

I have heard of this, but to be honest I wore knee highs with both pregnancies. I would just wear them and if you get any swelling or tingling then take them off. Like Devon said maybe wear looser fitting ones.

If you are at a desk I recommend getting and moving at 30 min inertvals and elevating your feet at lunch time.

[puppies]

Yep have heard of this too. I bought black knee high tights for under my pants and they come in different patterns. But I don't wear them up to my knees I just wear them like sock. And that works under pants. As for full length stockings, I hate them cause I hate the restricted feeling when I wear them. Don't know if that helps. Soon Winter will be over and this issue will be behind us, yeah!

[Rebecca77]

You can also buy maternity pantyhose/tights that allow for the extra little bit of roundness that is gonna come!
I guess what they are mainly worried about is DVT which can occur commonly during pregnancy. As BekZ said - keep moving, and feet elevated and you should be ok. But dont forget to take them off at the first sign of tingling etc. Make sure you give your legs a good rub down at night too so that any swelling is minimized.
Oh and there are some socks that you can buy (but i think they are mens) that are stay up socks but arent tight around the sock line. I have seen them in kmart. I guess it all depends on what you wear to work!

[Nai]

I wear maternity stockings and they make a huge difference. I also have knee high socks that aren't tight so they don't cut off the circulation. Presently I am wearing ankle boots with normal socks which is perfect for winter. As the weather gets warmer I will switch to mary-jane style flats with those little sockette things that you can't see under them.

[Jennifer13]

I was only in the early stages during winter and I wore stockings all the time. Rather that than freeze to death!

I don't think it would be an issue of restriction unless you were wearing them too tightly.

[tiggerlinda]

OP I have some flat boots that I can wear with my socks and suits there are some quite cute ones

[OceanPrincess]

Thanks ladies! Looks like a shopping expedition might be in order on the weekend to see what's out there in maternity style!

[satya]

I gave up wearing pantihose and socks during my third tri as I did get swelling and everything was just sooooooooooo uncomfortable. Even though it was winter towards the end I wore open toed slip on shoes as they were the only shoes I could fit (and they were a size larger). I did not notice the cold at all as I was feeling hot most of the time anyway. Towards the end I had to go shoeless around the office - otherwise I would've had to go home. No-one cared but a few people did comment on how uncomfortable I looked.

[Kitt3n]

Thanks ladies! Looks like a shopping expedition might be in order on the weekend to see what's out there in maternity style!

Be very very careful of maternity stockings.

I bought two pairs of fairly exxy ones from Myer (they were actually all they had in stock at the time!!) and they are just horrible, plain horrible.

So much for tummy support - by the time i get down the bottom of my street to catch my bus the things have fallen below my belly at the front and are half way down my a$$ at the back.

waste of money

I work in a corporate office and jut bought a pair of balck jeans from pumpkin patch and wear long tops over them - with my boots (and socks). No one has said anything yet and if they do i'll tell them they can take me shopping! Not wasting any more money on something to last another 3 months.

[alioops]

I wear the stay-up lace tops from Bra'sNThings. They dont cut into you at all and fit firmly to aid with varicose veins, like support stockings. And there is no belly in them, they are full leg no butt or tummy ones.

[OceanPrincess]

Ali thanks for the tip re stay up stockings however I have discovered I am allergic to the latex in the stay up top bit.

Discovered this when DH and I were TTC and I was trying to be seductive... wore them under a suit and came up in a nasty rash...

I like the black jeans idea too...

Thanks ladies!