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Why do pregnant women experience cramping in their legs? Leg cramps during pregnancy: what to do? To eliminate discomfort

Pregnancy is different for every woman. But the condition when legs cramp during pregnancy is known to almost all expectant mothers. Muscle spasms or cramps cause not just discomfort, but severe pain that cannot be controlled and eliminated until the muscle relaxes on its own.

It is not always possible to name the exact cause of this phenomenon. If the frequency of cramps in the leg muscles increases, you should tell your doctor about it. The specialist will not only try to clarify the cause of the condition, but will also help correct it so that convulsive leg spasms no longer haunt the expectant mother.

As a rule, seizures are not an independent disease. It is known that this problem occurs more often in expectant mothers than in other people. During pregnancy, legs may cramp due to poor circulation in the lower extremities, excessive muscle strain, or a certain disease.

Causes of cramps in the first trimester

With the onset of pregnancy, many expectant mothers are faced with the phenomenon of early toxicosis. This condition is most often accompanied by and. Against this background, the woman’s body loses a large amount essential vitamins and microelements. Their deficiency usually leads to a situation where leg muscles cramp during pregnancy.

In this case, cramps may bother the expectant mother throughout the first trimester. To avoid this, you need to consult a gynecologist who is managing your pregnancy. The specialist will try to select medications that will help replenish the loss of essential microelements.

Causes of cramps in the second trimester

Starting from the second trimester, a woman’s body begins to consume a huge amount of minerals and trace elements for the development of the fetus. Sometimes this is due not only to the rapid growth of the unborn baby, but also to the uncontrolled use of diuretics or wrong diet nutrition.

To eliminate the cause of this condition, it is necessary to adjust your diet, consult a doctor about taking any medications or plant origin, having a diuretic effect and, if necessary, discard them. A specialist can also select a vitamin and mineral complex to meet the increased needs of the expectant mother and baby for microelements.

Causes of cramps in the third trimester

In the last trimester, the fetus has already grown noticeably, so it is increasingly difficult for a woman to cope with the stress associated with daily activities. The problem can be aggravated by excess weight gain.

There are usually two reasons why legs cramp during pregnancy in the third trimester (they can be combined with each other):

varicose veins of the lower extremities;
compression of the vena cava by the enlarged uterus.

Often, a condition where cramps in the calves of the legs appears against the background of varicose veins. In this case, cramps are combined with increased fatigue of the lower extremities, a feeling of heaviness in them, especially after physical exertion.

With varicose veins, the outflow of venous blood is disrupted, which leads to a deterioration in the trophism of the leg muscles. This causes an imbalance of microelements in the tissues with the subsequent development of seizures.

Muscles may cramp due to inferior vena cava syndrome, especially if the woman has a large fetus. In this case, the enlarged uterus puts excess pressure on the inferior vena cava when the pregnant woman lies on her back or right side.

As in the case of varicose veins, this leads to disruption of the outflow of venous blood from the lower extremities. The mechanism for the occurrence of seizures will be exactly the same.

Which doctor should I contact?

The situation when pregnant women experience cramps in their legs is, in most cases, not a harmless symptom that did not arise by chance. Therefore, it is important to discuss the problem with your doctor. To correctly determine the cause pathological condition and select the necessary treatment, the woman may be recommended to undergo tests, consult an endocrinologist, therapist and phlebologist.

If the cause of seizures is a violation of the outflow of venous blood due to varicose veins, the expectant mother is referred to a phlebologist. In this case, a specialist can prescribe venotonics to the pregnant woman - drugs that tone the walls of blood vessels and prevent congestion in the veins.

These drugs are available in the form of gels, ointments and tablets. The doctor may also prescribe the patient to wear compression stockings.

If you suspect diabetes mellitus, to the expectant mother you need to take a blood test for sugar. An elevated level may indicate a metabolic disorder, which negatively affects the functioning of the entire body, including muscle trophism. The sugar content of a pregnant woman is adjusted by an endocrinologist after additional examination of the patient.

If no serious reasons are found to explain why the expectant mother has cramps in her calves during pregnancy, the therapist prescribes the woman vitamin complexes designed specifically for pregnant women, for example, Vitrum Prenatal, Complivit Mama and others.

Their goal is to compensate for the lack of microelements, in particular magnesium and calcium. Multivitamin complexes can be taken throughout pregnancy, until the birth of the baby.

What to do if you have leg cramps?

If an expectant mother experiences a cramp in her leg, she should not be nervous. It is necessary to perform actions that will stop painful muscle spasms. What to do?

To eliminate discomfort:

You need to slowly pull the toes of the leg that has cramped towards you. Then relax your leg for a short time and repeat the stretch again. As a result of these simple actions, the cramp should go away.
After the spasm has passed, warm up the muscles with a massage of the lower extremities, hot water or using a heating pad.
Walk around to restore blood circulation in your leg.

Folk remedies

Traditional methods used for cramps in the lower extremities are aimed at replenishing the lack of microelements and improving nerve conduction. Recipes traditional medicine can be combined with medicines which are prescribed by the doctor.

Licorice root

An infusion from this plant improves nutrition of the muscles of the lower extremities and tones the nerve fibers, normalizing their conductivity, which reduces the frequency of seizures. To prepare the infusion, you need to pour 100 grams of licorice into 500 ml of boiling water and leave until it cools completely. Take 1 teaspoon of infusion orally 3 times a day.

Eggshell

This is the richest source of essential microelements for bone and muscle tissue. To prepare the medicine, you need to wash the shells from raw egg(not boiled!), crush it in a mortar to a powder and add 5 drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice to the resulting pulp. Take the prepared product once a day.

Hawthorn

This plant normalizes the functioning of muscle cells and restores the structure of nerve fibers. To prepare a medicinal decoction you will need 3 tbsp. spoons of herbs and hawthorn fruits and 500 ml of water. Bring the broth to a boil, simmer over low heat for 5 minutes, cover the dish with a lid and leave for at least 3 hours.

The finished product is taken warmed 5 times a day, 2 tbsp. spoons. Duration of treatment is 3 weeks.

Valerian and nettle

The combination of these plants helps reduce the excitability of nerve fibers and improve the conduction of nerve impulses in the muscles. To cook remedy you need 2 tbsp. spoons of nettle leaves and the same amount of valerian root, pour 500 ml of boiling water, leave for at least 10 minutes. It is recommended to drink one glass of infusion in the morning and evening.

Prevention

To prevent such an unpleasant situation as leg cramps during pregnancy, it is necessary to pay attention to prevention. Firstly, it should be aimed at preventing vitamin deficiency and lack of microelements in the body.

Cramps are involuntary muscle contractions accompanied by sharp pain; they can last from 30 seconds to 2 minutes. They manifest themselves in varying degrees - from mild muscle spasms to severe attacks, when loss of consciousness is possible.

Why does a pregnant woman have cramps in her legs?

Muscle spasms may appear at different stages of pregnancy, most often occur at night, but are also possible during the day, when a woman is resting or after being in one position for a long time.

The main causes of cramps during pregnancy:

On early stages this is toxicosis, vomiting, low appetite. The few nutrients that enter a woman’s body are retained for a short time, and a general weakening occurs.
In the second trimester The cause of seizures may be a deficiency of vitamins and microelements (magnesium, potassium, calcium, vitamin B6). This is the main period of fetal growth and development.
In the third trimester the uterus increases in size and the likelihood of “inferior genital vein syndrome” appears, as a result of which blood flow is disrupted and heaviness in the legs appears.
Low blood sugar levels. Glucose is the main source of energy for the mother and the unborn child, so the need for it during pregnancy increases sharply.
Decreased hemoglobin level(severe anemia).

There are several factors that influence the development of seizures in pregnant women.

If the expectant mother suffers from painful muscle spasms, then These dangerous factors should be excluded:

Consumption of caffeinated drinks (strong tea, coffee). After all, it contributes to muscle dehydration and leaching of calcium from the body.
Smoking leads to lack of oxygen and causes severe muscle spasms.
Poor nutrition– the cause of almost all health problems in pregnant women.
Uncomfortable clothes, including skinny trousers.
Taking diuretics– together with excess liquid are washed out of the body healthy vitamins and minerals.

Convulsions are not obvious dangers for the health of a woman and her unborn child, but their occurrence on different terms pregnancy may indicate the presence of problems such as varicose veins or metabolic disorders in the body.

If spasms last more than 2 minutes, are repeated regularly and are severe in nature, it is worth contacting medical care. If convulsions occur, it is necessary consult on this issue with your gynecologist to find out the exact causes and their subsequent elimination.

First aid for painful spasms of the calf muscles

To independently cope with pain during cramps and get rid of spasms, the following measures must be taken:

Relieve muscle tension. To do this, strain and stretch the sore muscle, and repeat this exercise until completely relaxed. Lightly tingling the muscle with a pin or needle will also help.
Warm up the muscle with massage , hot water or put an ordinary mustard plaster.
Restore blood circulation in the legs - carefully walk around the room, stand on your toes, roll from toe to heel.
Avoid recurrent attacks - lie down with your legs raised up.

Features of treatment of leg cramps during pregnancy

As mentioned above, seizures in themselves do not pose a danger, but serve as a signal to take measures - preventive or therapeutic.

Regardless of the reasons, there are general recommendations that will help avoid cramps during pregnancy or minimize the possibility of their occurrence:

Wear the most comfortable shoes possible with a heel height of no more than 5 cm.
Try to sleep and lie on your left side to reduce pressure on the pudendal vein.
Avoid putting excessive stress on your legs.
When resting, keep your feet elevated(you can use a cushion or pillow).
Do leg exercises.
Avoid products with high caffeine content.
Don't smoke and don't drink alcohol.
Stick to it healthy eating.

Seeing a doctor will mainly help identify the nature of muscle spasms.

When the cause of cramps is a deficiency vitamins and microelements, treatment involves analyzing and changing the nutritional diet of a young mother. If necessary, it is supplemented with vitamin and mineral complexes at the discretion of the doctor.
If you have varicose veins, With a specialist can recommend certain creams and ointments, or underwear with an anti-varicose effect
It creates the necessary pressure on the walls of blood vessels, and they do not deform under the increased weight of the expectant mother.
To maintain normal level glucose in the blood, fractional nutrition is selected, various types of sweets and foods high in sugar are excluded.
To improve blood circulation in the legs , doctors recommend soothing sea salt baths and foot massages.

Having carried out the necessary tests and assessing the nature of the spasms, specialists will be able to understand the degree of their danger to the woman and child.

Website website provides background information. Adequate diagnosis and treatment of the disease is possible only under the supervision of a conscientious doctor. If alarming symptoms occur, consult a specialist!

Pregnancy is a severe test for the fairer sex. Changes occur in the functioning of the nervous and endocrine systems, internal organs.

So, many women experience cramps in their calf muscles during pregnancy. Why do these contractions occur? How to get rid of spasms?

Why do leg cramps occur during pregnancy?

Cramps in calf muscles ah experienced every third. For a pregnant woman they are especially painful.

Cramps are sharp and sudden, long-term or short-term muscle spasms caused by overexertion. Doctors note that contractions in pregnant women appear in the second or third trimester, when the belly is already clearly visible. During this period, the uterus also increases in size, which compresses blood vessels pelvis

There are many reasons for abbreviations:

impaired blood circulation;
deficiency of potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, glucose and vitamins (B6, etc.);
excess sodium and phosphates;
lack of hemoglobin;
dehydration of the body;
insufficient or excessive physical activity;
severe toxicosis;
blockage of the inferior vena cava;
dilation of venous vessels;
swelling;
anemia;
myositis;
diabetes mellitus;
neurological diseases;
hormonal imbalance;
foot deformities;
abuse of medications that increase the rate of blood filtration by the kidneys;
bad habits (smoking, drinking strong coffee, tea, etc.);
tight shoes and clothing;
uncomfortable position in sleep.

Deficiency of vitamins and microelements

A woman who is carrying a child must consume a certain amount every day. useful substances. A lack of vitamins and minerals can lead to digestive problems and muscle cramps in your calves or feet.

Magnesium, calcium, potassium are the three pillars on which the health of the body rests. A diagnosed low level of one of the components will lead to disruption of the metabolism of other substances.

Enlarged uterus

The uterus grows with the baby. The larger the size of this organ, the more pressure it puts on the blood vessels of the pelvis. As a result, blood circulation is impaired, which leads to spasms.

During sleep, spasms are most often felt in the lower extremities. To prevent cramps from bothering you, after 7.5 months of pregnancy, doctors advise sleeping on your side. Another important point is gymnastics. This point will be discussed in more detail later.

Convulsions due to toxicosis

The first sign of pregnancy for many women is vomiting. Due to toxicosis, dehydration occurs, loss of essential substances, which ultimately leads to spasms in the limbs.

Night cramps and severe vomiting are a signal that it’s time to see a doctor. You can't sit and wait for it to be over. You need to take care of yourself and your baby.

Bad habits

The following bad habits can lead to seizures:

Poor nutrition during pregnancy can trigger not only seizures, but also a number of diseases.
Coffee leads to dehydration of the body. Muscles lose elasticity, which can result in cramps during pregnancy, as already noted.
Nicotine negatively affects the health of any person. Cigarette smoke causes a chronic lack of oxygen, which leads to cramps in the limbs.
People who abuse alcohol get a whole bunch of diseases. It is quite logical that the expectant mother should not drink this drink.
Sweet and fatty foods overload blood vessels. Tubular formations have to work in enhanced mode.
Wearing tight clothes and narrow shoes.

Varicose veins

Due to increased stress on the legs and hormonal imbalances, the expectant mother may develop varicose veins. Doctors note that more than half of all women inhabiting our planet suffer from this disease. The signs of this pathology are:

fatigue;
swelling;
swollen and dilated veins;
convulsions.

If a woman observed these signs in herself even before pregnancy, while carrying a child, varicose veins may again appear. Inflamed venous nodes may appear in the legs, increasing the risk of blood clot formation. The vessels will not be able to function normally, so blockage of the tubular formations is possible. In such a situation, compression garments will help.

Excessive stress on the legs

The motor activity of a pregnant woman should be gentle. The expectant mother needs to think not only about herself, but also about the child.

On later During pregnancy, it is difficult for a woman to cope with the stresses that were previously habitual. Weight has increased, it is difficult to walk and sit, varicose veins and vena cava syndrome may occur.

Doctors note that circulatory disorders are often diagnosed in women who are carrying a large child. Twins or triplets can also cause vena cava syndrome. The uterus grows along with the fetus (fetuses), puts pressure on the internal organs and blood vessels, which leads to problems with blood circulation in the body.

What to do?

If a woman experiences calf cramps at night during pregnancy, the expectant mother should consult a doctor. Problems in the functioning of the body are signals that cannot be ignored.

If a cramp suddenly cramps your leg, you should not panic. Below are some tips that the expectant mother should heed.

Proper nutrition

Doctors note that food should be balanced. This should not only apply to pregnant women. U healthy person Problems such as caries, damaged hair, brittle nails, etc. will never arise.

Due to the growth of the fetus in the womb, iron is rapidly consumed and folic acids. Fermented milk products will help replenish the reserves of these substances, which will relieve the woman of cramps.

Signs low content calcium are the following symptoms:

nervousness;
sleep problems;
hypertension;
rapid heartbeat;
tooth decay;
bleeding gums (see also: how to treat bleeding gums during pregnancy?);
brittle nails;
skin rashes;
convulsions.

If the calcium content is low, the expectant mother should include sesame seeds, onions, broccoli, cheese, almonds, seafood, legumes and, of course, dairy products in her diet. You will have to avoid foods that interfere with calcium absorption:

vegetables containing oxalic acid (sorrel, spinach, etc.);
products containing high level phosphates (caviar, canned fish, raw smoked sausages, etc.);
soda and coffee.

Indicators of low magnesium levels in the blood of the expectant mother are the following:

irritability;
dry mouth;
gagging;
low blood pressure(we recommend reading: low blood pressure during pregnancy: what to do to increase it?);
slow heartbeat;
low body temperature;
numbness in the limbs;
deviations from the norm of coordination of movements;
pain in the lumbar region;
convulsions.

Magnesium, as doctors note, is found in almost all products, but they are especially rich in it:

whole seeds and nuts;
buckwheat;
watermelons (nitrate-free);
green;
seaweed;
carrot.

A healthy person should consume 360-380 mg of magnesium daily. Pregnant women will need a little more of this microelement: 400-450 mg.

Signs of low potassium in the blood of a pregnant woman are the following signals:

convulsions;
problems with stool;
swelling;
low blood pressure;
rapid heartbeat;
thirst and dry mouth;
nervous excitability;
dry skin;
acne.

The lack of potassium can be compensated for by introducing bananas, dried apricots, carrots, rye bread, legumes, beef liver. Fermented milk products are also rich in this useful substance.

It is worth noting that diet alone will not always be able to replenish the reserves of necessary elements. In some cases, doctors prescribe vitamin and mineral complexes to expectant mothers. You can take them only after consulting your doctor.

Gymnastics and massage

To get rid of cramps in your calves, slowly pull your toes towards you, then relax the limb. Repeat these same movements until the spasm is relieved.

If discomfort occurs in the toes, you need to apply pressure to the foot. This must be done until the convulsions stop.

Sometimes pinching and pricking with something sharp, such as a needle or pin, can help get rid of cramps. When your legs cramp during pregnancy, massage movements help get rid of the discomfort. Rub the muscles of the feet, legs, and thighs to improve blood flow. Attach a thermophor or a bottle of warm water so that the nagging pain disappears. You can also warm your feet with a shower. An alternative acupressure may become needle mats or balls. They need to be rolled on the floor with your feet.

Get plenty of rest. When sitting, try to place your limbs on an elevated position. If you are lying down, put your feet on a blanket folded several times or on a pillow. This will increase blood flow from the lower extremities.

Folk remedies

Everything that nature gives to humanity must be used. Many argue that even tablets can be replaced with decoctions and infusions. Sometimes this treatment really helps. However, during pregnancy, a woman is responsible not only for herself, but also for her child, so before using any remedy, you need to consult a doctor!

One of the folk remedies against seizures is eggshells, a source of calcium. To prepare the medicine, you need to wash the shell of a fresh egg, grind it to a powder and add a couple of drops of lemon to it. It is recommended to use this remedy once a day.

In this article we talk about how cramps in the legs occur during pregnancy. You will find out the causes of the disease on different dates baby's expectations. We will explain how to eliminate cramps using traditional medicine and traditional medicines.

Leg cramps during pregnancy can occur due to micronutrient deficiency

Often, expectant mothers are bothered by muscle spasms in their legs; the discomfort can appear at different stages of pregnancy. Cramps are accompanied by pain that does not go away until the muscles completely relax.

The causes of leg cramps in pregnant women are different and it is not always possible to determine them. Most often, muscle spasms appear due to poor circulation in the lower extremities, increased load on the legs and a lack of minerals - calcium, magnesium and potassium.

During pregnancy, cramps in the legs at night may appear if a woman sleeps in an uncomfortable position.. Spasms can also be caused by pressure from the uterus on the inferior vena cava.

If your leg muscles cramp during pregnancy during the day, the cause may be prolonged standing on your feet and muscle strain. High heels and uncomfortable clothing can also trigger cramps in the lower extremities.

Causes of early seizures

The main reason why legs cramp during early pregnancy is metabolic disorders and lack of minerals such as magnesium, potassium and calcium. Due to toxicosis in the first trimester, the expectant mother’s body loses these substances necessary for health. In this case, the woman needs proper diet and vitamin-mineral complexes.

Causes of cramps in later stages

If your legs cramp during late pregnancy, this may signal the development of varicose veins. In this case, the outflow of venous blood in the lower extremities is disrupted and, as a result, convulsions appear.

If your leg cramps in the thigh during pregnancy, this indicates increased pressure from the uterus on the inferior vena cava. Therefore, expectant mothers are not recommended to lie on their back or right side, so as not to increase the pressure.

Excess weight and prolonged standing can also trigger cramps in the lower extremities. In this case, rapid fatigue of the legs and a feeling of heaviness may be observed, especially after physical activity.

Which doctor should I contact?

If your leg muscles cramp during pregnancy, consult your doctor.

First of all, if your calves cramp during pregnancy in the morning, you need to contact your obstetrician-gynecologist. Depending on the symptoms, the doctor may prescribe tests and refer you for a consultation with an endocrinologist or phlebologist.

An appointment with an endocrinologist may be necessary if the expectant mother is suspected of having diabetes mellitus. A high level of glucose in the blood indicates a metabolic disorder and, as a result, a lack of magnesium, potassium and calcium.

Consultation with a phlebologist is necessary if the suspected cause of leg cramps is varicose veins. The specialist will select medications to strengthen the walls of blood vessels and improve blood circulation.

What to do if you have leg cramps

Expectant mothers ask the question - when their legs cramp during pregnancy at night - what to do? Special exercises and massage are used as first aid.

To relieve muscle tension, first of all you need to straighten your leg and smoothly pull your toes towards you. Take a break for 5-7 seconds and relax your leg. Repeat the exercise until the muscle spasm stops. After this, the relaxed muscles need to be warmed up. A heating pad, bath or warming massage is suitable for this.

If your toes cramp during pregnancy, massage and gymnastics will also help. Perform circular movements with your feet in different directions, pulling your toes and heels alternately. After exercise, walk for 5-7 minutes to restore normal blood circulation.

Drug treatment

If cramps in your feet become more common during pregnancy, you should consult a doctor for advice. Properly selected treatment will help eliminate the ailment and prevent its recurrence in the future. The use of this or that drug should be agreed with a specialist, since there are many reasons for the appearance of leg cramps.

First of all, pregnant women are prescribed vitamin and mineral complexes to normalize metabolism and restore their balance. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, antispasmodic drugs, for example, No-shpu, as well as sedatives - Sedavit, may be prescribed.

If varicose veins are suspected, venotonics are prescribed, for example, Detralex. If thrombophlebitis joins the problem, it is necessary to take anti-inflammatory drugs - Ortofen or Xefocam. As a complex treatment, ointments and gels for external use are used - Troxevasin, Aescusan.

Folk remedies

Often, after a muscle spasm, discomfort remains in the legs. To eliminate them, you can use traditional medicine. Consider a recipe for a warming ointment that can be prepared at home.

Ingredients:

Mustard powder - 2 tablespoons.
Honey - 1 tablespoon.

How to cook: Melt honey in a water bath, add mustard powder and stir until smooth.

How to use: Before going to bed, apply warming ointment for half an hour, then rinse with warm water. With regular and severe cramps leave the ointment on overnight, wrapping your feet in cling film.

Result: The ointment warms up the muscles, relaxes them and eliminates pain.

Lotions with a decoction of horsetail will help eliminate discomfort in the legs. They have a relaxing effect on the muscles.

Ingredients:

Horsetail - 2 tablespoons.
Water - 500 ml.

How to cook: Grind the herb, fill it with water and place in a water bath. Simmer covered for 30 minutes. Remove from heat, cover with a towel and let sit for 15-20 minutes.

How to use: Dip gauze or a cloth napkin into the resulting infusion, wring it out and wrap it around your leg. Apply lotions 2-3 times a day.

Result: The product effectively eliminates pain and relaxes muscles.

Preventing seizures

To prevent cramps in the lower extremities during pregnancy, it is necessary to adhere to a balanced diet and take vitamin and mineral complexes. To prevent blood circulation from being impaired, the following rules should be followed:

Choose comfortable clothes and shoes so that nothing presses or constrains you anywhere.
The heel must be stable. The optimal height is 5 cm.
For varicose veins, use compression garments.
Take baths with herbs and sea salt 2-3 times a week.
Sleep on your left side. You can put a pillow under your feet.
Walk slowly so as not to increase the load on your legs.
Reduce your consumption of coffee and strong tea.
Do morning exercises special attention pay attention to warming up your legs.

Video: how to get rid of cramps during pregnancy

To learn how to massage your feet during pregnancy, watch this video:

What to remember

The main reasons for cramped calves during pregnancy are metabolic disorders, lack of minerals such as magnesium, potassium and calcium, varicose veins and excessive pressure of the uterus on the inferior vena cava.
Relaxing exercises and massage will help relieve muscle tension.
As preventive measures The expectant mother needs to monitor her diet and not wear high heels and uncomfortable clothes, periodically take relaxing baths and do morning exercises.

Of course, I knew that pregnant women could have toxicosis and was mentally prepared for it. Maybe that’s why my first months of pregnancy passed calmly and without any complications. But now I have another problem: sometimes my leg muscles cramp very badly.

On the forum, the girls said that these could be leg cramps during pregnancy. I would like to know how serious this is and what needs to be done in such a situation.

What is a cramp?

Indeed, leg cramps are a fairly common occurrence in pregnant women. Convulsions appear in the form of a sharp contraction of the muscle. She suddenly shrinks tightly and freezes in this state. If you try to feel the area that is cramping, you will find a lump under the skin.

Know! Usually convulsive contractions come suddenly. At the same time, a piercing pain is felt. Most often, cramps occur in the calf muscles. During such a spasm, you will not be able to move your leg, because the slightest movement will be painful. When the muscles of the lower leg cramp, the foot straightens and extends forward.

It has been noticed that cramps in the legs mainly occur during pregnancy at night or during daytime rest. The spasm may occur as you begin to fall asleep or immediately after you wake up.

Why do my legs often cramp during pregnancy?

Carrying a child is a very difficult period for a woman. You experience increased stress on your legs and the entire body as a whole.

There is an increase in the volume of circulating blood;
The outflow of venous blood in the legs becomes difficult;
Long walking or, conversely, being in a sitting position does not have a very good effect on the condition of the musculoskeletal system;
The baby “pulls” a lot of nutrients from the mother’s body, and you feel a lack of them, read the article on how to bear a healthy baby >>>
The water-electrolyte balance is disturbed;
During pregnancy, your immune system weakens and existing chronic diseases may appear.

It is not surprising that in this situation the body often “fails.” The appearance of cramps during pregnancy is not very good sign. They do not pose a direct threat to your health, but indicate problems that have appeared in the functioning of organs.

You should not think that cramps are a temporary phenomenon that will soon go away on its own. If you do not take any measures, such spasms can spread to the muscles of the uterus. And this is a real threat of premature birth!

Therefore, if you experience cramps in your calves during pregnancy, you should immediately consult your doctor. He will help determine the cause of seizures and prescribe treatment.

Causes of cramps during pregnancy

Seizures can be caused by various factors. Some of them are quite harmless:

incorrect position of the legs during sleep, which compresses the blood vessels;
insufficient blood supply to the muscles due to a sedentary lifestyle.

In such cases, getting rid of painful spasms is very easy. It is enough to choose a more comfortable sleeping position or do the simplest physical exercise.

Other causes of leg cramps during pregnancy are more serious.

1st trimester

2nd trimester

In the second trimester, a large consumption of microelements is also possible. This happens because it is during this period that the maximum growth spurt of the fetus is observed. In order not to experience the need for vitamins and essential microelements, take the course Secrets of proper nutrition for an expectant mother >>>

Know! The main reason why legs cramp during pregnancy is a lack of potassium, calcium, magnesium, vitamins B and D.

Loss of these beneficial substances also occurs with uncontrolled use of diuretics. On the other hand, a lack of necessary microelements will be felt if you do not adhere to a balanced diet. For the same reason, an excess of phosphates or sodium may occur, which also affects the appearance of convulsive spasms.

3rd trimester

The third trimester has its own characteristics - the child has grown significantly, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to carry him. You will find important information about this period in the article 3rd trimester of pregnancy >>>

The causes of seizures may include:

Varicose veins;
Compression of the inferior vena cava by the enlarged uterus.

The development of seizures also contributes to:

smoking;
consumption of caffeinated drinks;
severe anemia or a sharp decrease in hemoglobin levels (more about anemia during pregnancy >>>);
abnormal blood sugar levels;
stress.

If none of the above reasons is confirmed, you should conduct a full examination to identify diseases of the internal organs or other complications of pregnancy.

And yet, conversations with the doctor and examination will come later, but what to do immediately at the moment when your legs cramp during pregnancy? I recommend using the following tips:

Gently but firmly pull your toes towards you. Then release the tension and repeat the procedure again. You need to act, even if the movement causes pain. We must try to be calm and breathe deeply;
If you can’t move your toes yourself, you can rest your toe against a wall or other support and apply pressure. The movements should be repeated several times until the muscle relaxes;
To relieve spasm, you need to warm the muscle. To do this, you can rub the painful area with your hand or apply a warm heating pad (mustard plasters). A light, gentle massage or a warm foot bath will also help;
There is also good folk remedy: pinch a muscle or prick with a pin.

After the spasm passes, it is advisable to walk around the room, then lie down and put your feet on a pillow. This way you will be able to avoid recurrent seizures.

Preventing seizures during pregnancy

There are also tips on how to minimize the frequency of leg cramps or get rid of them completely (depending on what the provoking cause is).

Wear comfortable shoes, which should have low (4 - 5 cm) heels and fit properly;
Do simple physical exercises regularly: roll from heel to toe, rise on your toes, stand on your heels, etc. You can do yoga for pregnant women, water aerobics;
Stretch your legs (but not your toes) frequently. This helps a lot if leg cramps appear at night during pregnancy;
Try not to stand in one place for a long time and not cross your legs;
Massage your feet, use massage mats or balls;
Make foot baths with sea salt (2 tablespoons of salt per 5 liters of water);
If you have varicose veins, it is advisable to wear compression tights or stockings;
Adjust your diet: you need to eat in small portions at regular intervals and not indulge in sweets.

It is very important to review your diet and include foods that contain:

Potassium (bananas, dried apricots, seaweed, etc.);
Calcium (green leafy vegetables, eggs, dairy products, nuts, etc.);
Magnesium (dried fruits, legumes, beets, etc.) (For more information about what you can and should eat, read the article Nutrition during pregnancy >>>)

Don't eat fast food soft drinks which contain phosphates.

If it is determined that the cause of leg cramps during pregnancy is an imbalance of microelements and vitamins, then the doctor may recommend long-term use special fortified complexes.

Medicines should also only be prescribed by a doctor. You cannot treat leg cramps during pregnancy on your own! It is especially important to remember this if the cramps are accompanied by edema, numbness, swelling or for a long time don't pass.