Pregnancy Leg Cramps
Several pregnant women get leg cramps. Leg cramps during pregnancy can be caused due to various reasons. One of the reasons is fatigue that is caused by carrying around extra weight that women put on during pregnancy. Cramps are also caused by the increasing size of the uterus. When the uterus increases in size, it puts pressure on the blood vessels that circulate the blood from the legs to the heart and nerves.
While there are no supporting studies to prove this, some are speculating that cramps can happen because of too little potassium and calcium, or too much of phosphorous. You may want to avoid foods with phosphorous and increase your intake of calcium when you are pregnant.
Ways of Preventing Leg Cramps:
• Avoid sitting or standing with your legs crossed for a long time.
• Make it a point to stretch your leg and calf muscles through the day and before you go to bed.
• Wiggle your toes and rotate your ankles when you are sitting.
• If your doctor allows it, do walk a bit every day; maybe a short walk of about 10 minutes to improve the blood circulation.
• Give yourself a break when you are feeling tired and lift your legs whenever possible.
• You must also wear supportive stockings.
• A warm bath before you get into bed might also be a good idea.
• Drink a lot of water.
• Speak to your doctor and see if he will allow you to take a magnesium supplement along with your prenatal vitamins. It is believed that magnesium can treat leg cramps.
• Exercising is one of the best ways to keep the cramps at bay. If you were not able to exercise much during your first trimester, chances are that your muscles may feel week later, causing the cramps to happen. Try to work some form of exercise into your daily schedule. Moderate walking, swimming, yoga, stretches or Pilate. Exercising will improve your blood circulation and keep your muscles strong.
• Stretching your calf muscles can keep them supple and can prevent cramps. Do some simple stretches during the day and a few before going to bed.
• Try to wear loose clothes when you are pregnant as tight clothes may restrict the flow of blood in your body and this can cause leg cramps.
• You might want to sit cross-legged as often as possible when you are pregnant as this position will improve the blood circulation. Also, when you wake up, sit in a cross-legged position for some time and breathe deeply.
