How to deal with leg cramps during pregnancy? What should I do if I have leg cramps during pregnancy

During pregnancy, leg cramps are more likely to occur due to the gradually increasing pressure on the lower limbs of the stomach. During pregnancy, in addition to ensuring the nutrition of the diet, calcium supplementation should be supplemented under the guidance of a doctor if necessary. Also, avoid overexerting your legs and don't sit and stand for long periods of time.

More than half of all pregnant women experience leg cramps during pregnancy, especially at night when they sleep. The reason for the period is that pregnant women gradually gain weight during pregnancy, the burden on their legs increases, and the muscles of their legs are often in a state of fatigue; In addition, after pregnancy, the need for calcium increases significantly. After pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters, the need for calcium increases to 1200 mg per day.

If the dietary calcium and vitamin D content is insufficient or there is a lack of sunlight, the calcium deficiency will be exacerbated, which will increase the excitability of muscles and nerves. Calcium levels are lower at night than during the day, so calf cramps often occur at night. Once cramps occur, symptoms can be quickly relieved by pushing the toes to the side of the head or pushing the heels down so that the ankles are overflexed and the gastrocnemius muscles are tightened.

To avoid leg cramps, care should be taken not to overstrain the leg muscles. Don't wear high heels; Legs and feet can be massaged before bedtime; Usually consume more foods rich in calcium and vitamin D; Appropriate outdoor activities and exposure to sunlight; Calcium and vitamin D may be added if necessary. However, it should be pointed out that pregnant women must not use calf cramps as an indicator of calcium supplementation, because individual tolerance values for calcium deficiency are different, so some pregnant women do not have symptoms of calf cramps when they are deficient in calf.

1. Emergency methods for leg cramps in pregnant women.

If a pregnant woman has cramps during the night and it does not resolve spontaneously after a while, emergency measures need to be taken. There are two main ways to do this, the first is to stand on the ground and push the cramped leg hard until the symptoms are relieved; The second way is to sit on a chair, put the cramped foot against the wall, and massage the calf muscles until the cramp is done with your hands, which can relieve the pain caused by the cramp. The phenomenon of cramps will also be well relieved.

2. Pregnant women with frequent leg cramps should pay attention to their diet.

If you want to fundamentally solve the problem of cramps, pregnant women first need to pay attention to eating evenly, because many pregnant women have leg cramps because of the lack of a certain vitamin in the body. The advice of obstetricians and gynecologists is that pregnant women should eat more things rich in calcium and vitamin D to satisfy the body's nutrition.

3. Appropriate outdoor exercise.

Many women stop participating in outdoor sports after pregnancy, thinking that pregnant women must take more bed rest, but this perception is wrong. Many pregnant women have leg cramps because of calcium deficiency, and the best way to replenish calcium in the body is to receive more sunlight, so if the body allows, pregnant women also need to go outside and bask in the sun.

In general, the main cause of calf cramps in pregnant women is caused by calcium deficiency. Pregnant women's demand for calcium is higher than usual, especially in the second and third trimesters, which is a critical period for fetal physique and bone development. Eat more calcium-rich foods, such as shrimp skin, dairy products, etc., and spend more time in the sun to promote the synthesis of vitamin D in the body and promote the body's absorption of calcium.

Moderate activity, do not overdo it, try to avoid standing or walking for long periods of time, and it is best to walk for a while and take a break. Pay attention to keep warm: soak your feet in warm water before going to bed, and you can also raise the back to prevent cramps.

Pregnant mothers should do outdoor activities appropriately and sunbathe more. The diet should be diversified, eat more calcium-rich foods such as kelp, fungus, sesame, beans, etc., such as stewed tofu with kelp and fried cabbage with fungus. From the 5th month of pregnancy, it is necessary to increase the intake of calcium, at least about 1,000 mg per day.

When sleeping, adjust the sleeping position and use the most comfortable side lying position. If the pregnant mother's leg cramps are more frequent and severe, in addition to increasing the amount of calcium supplementation, the expectant father can also soak the pregnant mother's feet and carry out hot compresses. Before going to bed, boil the ginger slices with water, and use them to soak the pregnant mother's feet when the temperature drops to the feet that can bear it.

Soaking your feet in ginger water not only relieves fatigue, but also promotes blood circulation and helps you fall asleep.

Expectant fathers use a hot and humid towel to warm their calves, which can dilate the blood vessels in the legs of the pregnant mother, reduce cramps, and at the same time, because the blood in the brain and internal organs is relatively reduced, the brain will feel tired and help sleep. If the pregnant mother does not have occasional calf cramps, but often has muscle pain, or the leg is swollen and tender, she should go to the hospital for examination. This may be a sign of venous thrombosis in the lower extremities and needs to be immediate**.

Pregnant women should take a hot bath and massage their legs every day after work, and soak their feet and necks in hot water at 40 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes before going to bed every day, which can reduce the accumulation of lactic acid, relax the tendons and activate the muscles, so as to prevent leg cramps at night. For pregnant women who have experienced leg cramps caused by leg fatigue many times, applying a moist hot towel to the leg and doing some simple stretching exercises before going to bed can relieve the symptoms of leg cramps.

When cramps occur, the muscles in the cramp area can be massaged to relieve them; Or slowly straighten your leg so that the spasms slowly subside. To prevent calf cramps at night, massage your legs before going to bed, and you can also wash your feet and legs with hot water before going to sleep. Usually wear soft-soled shoes, and do not walk too much, so as not to be too tired; Sleep at night to avoid dampness and cold.

More calcium supplementation is needed throughout pregnancy. Especially in the second and third trimesters, the calcium demand of pregnant mothers has increased significantly, on the one hand, the calcium preparation demand of the mother increases, on the one hand, the calcium reserve demand of the mother increases, and on the other hand, the teeth and bones of the fetus are accelerated, and a large amount of calcium is needed. When the calcium intake of the pregnant mother is insufficient, the fetus will compete for the calcium in the mother's body, causing the pregnant mother to have leg cramps, back pain and other symptoms, and even lead to hypochondriasis.

In addition, the increase in intra-abdominal pressure during pregnancy will cause poor blood circulation, which is also the cause of leg cramps. Cold, overexertion can also cause cramps in the leg muscles.

After pregnancy, expectant mothers should eat more sesame seeds, milk, pork ribs and other calcium-rich foods, which can prevent hypocalcemia due to calcium deficiency in pregnant women, and eat more to promote fetal bone development. While paying attention to calcium supplementation in the diet, pregnant women should go out to bask in the sun more and supplement vitamin D, so as to ensure that the calcium in the food is fully absorbed and utilized by the bones. For pregnant women who are deficient in calcium, calcium supplementation can be appropriate according to the situation, and a glass of pure milk should be drunk before bedtime.

Pregnant mothers during pregnancy cramps are generally a lack of calcium, the daily calcium supplement is not sufficient, and the second is the cold caused by the cold of pregnant mothers, so pay attention to keeping warm!

During pregnancy, leg cramps are more likely to occur due to the pressure of the lower limbs due to the gradual aggravation of the belly. During pregnancy, in addition to ensuring the nutrition of the diet and supplementing calcium, calcium supplementation should be supplemented under the guidance of a doctor when it is necessary to clear deficiency. Also, avoid overexerting your legs and don't sit and stand for long periods of time.