Leg and foot cramps in pregnancy: causes and remedies

Many of us sometimes experience painful cramps in the calf muscles or toes, especially in the summer, but this is certainly more common during pregnancy . It is estimated, in fact, that about half of expectant mothers suffer from cramps especially in the second and third trimester of gestation. Let's see what are the causes, symptoms and how we can prevent cramps in pregnancy.

Cramps in pregnancy: c ause

The causes of cramps in pregnancy are not very clear, it is possible that pregnancy affects the metabolism, but other causes are:

Insufficient or excessive exercise,

Electrolyte imbalances,

· Vitamin deficiencies.

Also, the causes of cramps include:

Changes in blood circulation caused by pregnancy: circulation slows down and this can lead to cramps. This is why it is always important to maintain an active lifestyle, to stretch and exercise regularly and to walk often throughout the day.

Keeping your legs raised as much as possible when sitting or lying can promote circulation and also reduce swelling in the lower limbs, another very common ailment in expectant mothers.

Pregnancy-related weight gain can also affect the risk of having cramps: the pressure of weight, combined with the additional pressure caused by the growing baby, can impact muscles, blood vessels and nerves.

Dehydration: can potentially cause leg cramps. Increasing your water intake is one of the easiest ways to deal with leg cramps.

Leg Cramps: Symptoms

Leg cramps come on suddenly with sharp, sudden pain, usually in the calf muscles or feet, and are caused by shortening and spasm of the muscle.

They may last a few seconds, but the muscle then remains sore and contracted even for a few hours. It can make walking and moving difficult. Like many pregnancy symptoms, leg cramps tend to appear in the third trimester.

Remedies

Regular, gentle exercises could help reduce the number and severity of episodes, but they are also very useful during cramps. How to do them?

Bend and vigorously stretch the foot up and down

Pull the toes towards the ankle or massage the muscle vigorously.

When a cramp occurs, stretch and massage the muscle immediately.

What to do for cramps at night?

In many cases, cramps come on suddenly while sleeping and can hinder the quality and duration of nighttime sleep, which is so important during pregnancy. What to do then?

Get out of bed and walk on your heels for a while before going back to sleep

· Remove the covers to leave the feet and legs free

· Raise your feet by placing them on a pillow and trying not to have your toes pointing downwards.

When to worry

Rarely, leg cramps can be a sign of something more serious like a clot, which can affect 1-2 in a thousand pregnancies. If cramps are extremely common it is important to contact your doctor.