Preventing leg Cramps During Pregnancy
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| Leg Cramps During Pregnancy |
How do you get rid of leg cramps while pregnant?
Muscle cramps at the end of pregnancy are a common phenomenon. When they occur, they can disrupt the sleep you need so much.
What Causes Calf Cramps During Pregnancy
Loss of muscle tone, fluid build-up, too much phosphorus or a deficiency in calcium and magnesium are the main triggers of painful and unpleasant nighttime cramps in the calves.
Magnesium deficiency, the main cause of cramps
Cramps are usually caused by a magnesium deficiency , which can be caused by stress, sweating or excessive exercise.
Athletes suffer from cramps when they train too hard and strain their muscles too much.
However, excessive sweating, which leads to a significant loss of water and therefore also a loss of minerals, can also cause cramps. Apart from sports that make you sweat a lot, the risk of cramps is highest in summer, the hottest season of the year.
In older people , the body's fluid and mineral content is often disturbed by an unbalanced diet and insufficient fluid intake . In addition to the many negative effects on the body, painful cramps occur, caused by nutritional deficiencies.
During pregnancy , hormonal and metabolic changes often cause a magnesium deficiency. Calf cramps are especially common during the second half of pregnancy, because during this period the body needs more magnesium.
What to do about calf cramps
Cramps appear without warning and are often painful. Find out here what to do immediately against calf cramps.
Quick solution for foot or leg cramps
Fortunately, there are quick and easy ways to relieve painful cramps.
Start by gently stretching the muscle by extending your foot downward and then extending your toes upward, so that you feel a stretch down the back of your leg. Repeat this until the cramp is gone and you feel relief.
Then gently massage the tight muscle or have your partner do it for you. Applying a hot water bottle or warm compress can also be effective for relieving acute pain.
Then take a short walk to loosen up the muscles.
More tips to prevent calf cramps
To avoid cramps, stretch your legs regularly throughout the day, drink enough water and, you guessed it, make sure to eat a balanced and healthy diet. In addition, daily physical activity is important to avoid cramps.
Relax during pregnancy has many benefits
Away from everyday life, relax will help you relax your body and mind. You take time for yourself and the specific exercises will bring you calm and balance, which will also benefit your baby. In addition, stretching exercises effectively prevent foot and calf cramps.
Let yourself be guided by your feeling of well-being to know how long to practice pregnancy relax. There are no time rules. The important thing is that you feel good and that the exercises do not tire you out.
If cramps persist, consult a doctor immediately.
In most cases, calf cramps are often due to a simple deficiency of minerals such as calcium or magnesium.
However, if the calf cramps occur more frequently and not only at night, you should definitely consult a general practitioner or sports doctor and have him examine you. It is also advisable to ask the gynaecologist to examine your baby as well if your general practitioner detects any illness.
If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor and have yourself examined:
- The cramps do not go away despite stretching.
- Night cramps recur frequently and lead to lack of sleep and therefore concentration problems.
- Calf cramps during pregnancy are very severe and last a long time.
- Muscle cramps only occur during certain movements.
- Calf cramps also often occur during the day.
