Painful leg contractions during pregnancy.

Pregnancy and childbirth are physiological processes conceived by nature. But, despite this, the woman's body during the entire period of bearing a child is faced with increased stress. Leg cramps during pregnancy are a fairly common problem.

Periodically, almost every woman who is expecting a child faces them. Why do leg cramps occur in pregnant women? There can be several reasons - ranging from a lack of vitamins and trace elements in the body, ending with a sedentary lifestyle and stagnation of blood flow in the legs.

Often, convulsions appear in response to toxicosis. Repeated vomiting and salivation lead to excessive excretion of essential nutrients from the body, which are important for the full functional activity of the muscular system.

Venous diseases cause leg cramps during pregnancy not too often, however, they should not be discounted. After carrying out diagnostic manipulations, the gynecologist usually prescribes medications that are safe for the developing fetus and life-saving for the expectant mother.

Iron deficiency anemia, which is based on low hemoglobin levels, can also cause leg cramps in pregnant women. Iron deficiency is usually associated with malnutrition and dietary errors, so the doctor will advise the expectant mother to reconsider her usual diet and be sure to include foods such as butter, oatmeal, meat, fish, beets, honey, dried fruits and much more.

The lack of magnesium in the body is common among pregnant women, since during the period of gestation, its consumption increases significantly. Magnesium is directly involved in a whole complex of metabolic reactions, the intensity of which increases against the background of gestation. Magnesium deficiency always causes leg cramps during pregnancy. To remedy the situation, the doctor may prescribe magnesium supplements to the pregnant woman and recommend that cereals, legumes, eggs, fruits, vegetables, dill and cocoa be included in the diet. More about Magne B6 →

The lack of calcium, like magnesium, negatively affects all metabolic processes in the body. These trace elements closely interact with each other. Caffeine and many medications impair calcium absorption.

Together with magnesium and calcium preparations, foods such as milk, hard cheese, cottage cheese, nuts, greens, eggs and fish are recommended for the expectant mother to prevent calf cramps during pregnancy.

Potassium deficiency causes inhibition of the functional activity of the nervous system, since this trace element is responsible for the transmission of nerve impulses to muscle fibers. Calf cramps during pregnancy are the first and quite understandable sign of a lack of potassium in the body. In addition to the convulsive syndrome, which appears at any time of the day, but mainly at night, a woman may note such accompanying symptoms as general weakness, drowsiness, slow heart rate and constipation.

Hypokalemia often manifests itself already in the 2nd trimester, but more often expectant mothers experience this condition in the last weeks of pregnancy. In addition to potassium supplements, a woman is recommended to supplement her diet with dried apricots, nuts, legumes, seaweed and potatoes.

A lack of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) can also cause calf cramps during pregnancy. This microelement takes part in the synthesis of amino acids, which are important for the formation of protein compounds. In the body of the expectant mother, the amount of vitamin B6 should be increased by 30% compared to the level of its content before pregnancy.

The lack of pyridoxine causes increased irritability, disturbances in the digestive tract, the appearance of caries, the occurrence of early toxicosis and convulsive phenomena in the calf muscles. Nuts are rich in potassium, especially hazelnuts and cedar, sea buckthorn, chicken, fish and pomegranate.

Varicose veins, accompanied by swelling and slagging of the lumen of the venous vessels, also leads to cramps in the legs during pregnancy at night. In addition, the pressure of the growing uterus on the inferior vena cava causes seizures in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy.

There are other provoking factors that affect the occurrence of leg cramps in expectant mothers:

• uncontrolled intake of diuretics;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• lack of glucose in the body;
• smoking;
• swelling;
• caffeine.

First aid for seizures

What to do if you experience leg cramps during pregnancy? First of all, you need warmth. A woman should relax her limbs and apply a heating pad or a bottle of warm water wrapped in a towel to them.

If there is no heat at hand - for example, a cramp caught the expectant mother on the road or late at night - you need to stretch the muscles of the legs, stretching the feet towards you, then relax and pull again. These manipulations must be repeated until the convulsions subside.

Often, leg cramps during pregnancy at night appear due to long lying on the right side or back, as the fetus puts additional pressure on the inferior vena cava. In this case, it is recommended to sleep only on the left side.

If the cramps are excessively intense and last for a long time, they can be relieved with Paracetamol and a warm bath. Such cases should not be ignored; if they are repeated, consultation of such specialists as a gynecologist, phlebologist, gastroenterologist, etc. is necessary.

Treatment

Treatment of leg cramps during pregnancy depends entirely on the identified cause of this pathology.

The lack of individual trace elements in the body is replenished by taking multivitamin complexes, a properly selected diet and giving up bad habits. Walking in the fresh air helps to better absorb calcium and vitamin D.

Taking multivitamins and preventing their deficiency should be carried out at the stage of pregnancy planning, as well as throughout its entire duration. Do not neglect synthetic vitamin complexes. The fact is that not all nutrients and trace elements from food are absorbed in full, especially if there are problems with the digestive tract or metabolic disorders.

Anemia is eliminated with iron preparations, the course of treatment depends on the severity of the disease. There are situations when a woman is forced to fight anemia throughout her pregnancy and take these drugs.

Varicose veins require the appointment of venotonic drugs, the wearing of special stockings, the application of elastic bandages. All this is prescribed by a doctor, depending on the degree of varicose veins.

Adequately selected therapy leads to the elimination of convulsive phenomena in the legs, a decrease in the symptoms of toxicosis, and the normalization of the nervous system. Thanks to this, the unborn child receives a sufficient amount of trace elements necessary for its normal growth and development.

Prevention

With the help of timely preventive measures, you can avoid the occurrence of cramps in the legs in the future.

To do this, use the following recommendations:

• during pregnancy, wear shoes with a heel no more than 5 cm;
• eat varied and healthy, giving preference to fractional nutrition, as it provides the body with an optimal level of glucose throughout the day;
• before going to bed, do warm foot baths with the addition of sea salt;
• avoid prolonged sitting and standing, as this disrupts blood circulation in the limbs;
• sleep on your left side, placing a roller under your feet or use a special pillow for expectant mothers;
• daily walks in the fresh air and exercise moderate physical activity.

If, with all preventive measures, pain and cramps in the calf muscles continue to haunt a pregnant woman, the doctor should be informed. You may need to undergo a more complete examination of the body for possible diseases and abnormalities.

It is not only possible, but also necessary to get rid of leg cramps during pregnancy, since their development is most often due to a lack of certain microelements and vitamins in the body. Hypovitaminosis is dangerous for the development of an unborn child, so you can not take it lightly.

Useful video about leg cramps during pregnancy

Painful muscle contractions in the legs or arms are not uncommon during pregnancy. Seizures come on suddenly and especially often disturb the expectant mother during rest. What are the causes of cramps during pregnancy and how to deal with them?

Causes of seizures during pregnancy

Cramps can overcome a pregnant woman for many reasons, while acting as a kind of symptom of possible disorders in the body, starting with a lack of certain vitamins and minerals, and ending with complications during pregnancy. The main causes of seizures during pregnancy:

1. Lack of trace elements such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, as well as vitamin B6, caused by:

• firstly, severe toxicosis, in which the body loses many trace elements with vomit (usually in the early stages);
• secondly, an increase in the needs of the developing fetus (this is especially pronounced in the middle of pregnancy);
• thirdly, the uncontrolled use of diuretics;
• fourthly, an unbalanced diet, in which too few substances she needs enter the woman's body.

2. Decrease in the amount of hemoglobin (severe anemia).

3. Violation of blood sugar levels, which may occur due to the lack of a diet, when a pregnant woman eats rarely and in large portions, or “leans” too much on sweets.

4. Varicose veins, especially if there is an increased load on the legs.

5. The use of drinks containing caffeine, which provokes dehydration of the muscles and their tension, leading to the development of seizures.

6. “Syndrome of compression of the inferior vena cava”, in which the enlarged uterus presses on the inferior vena cava and causes a violation of the venous outflow from the legs. In this case, convulsions begin to torment the pregnant woman, usually in the third trimester, when she lies on her back or right side.

7. Various diseases and complications of pregnancy.

How to help yourself during seizures

1. Try to slowly and gently, but at the same time, pull the toes of the foot, in which the muscle has been reduced, towards you. After that, also slowly relax the leg, and then pull again.
2. After the cramp is released, gently massage the muscle, warming it up. To warm the muscle, you can also use a mustard plaster, heating pad or hot water.
3. To restore blood circulation, you can walk around the room a little.
4. To avoid recurrence of cramps, lie down with your legs slightly elevated, for this you can use a pillow or a folded blanket.

Prevention and treatment of seizures during pregnancy

Cramps are only a symptom of certain disorders in the body, so when they appear, you should immediately contact your doctor, who can find out the cause of painful muscle contractions and prescribe treatment.

If the reason is a lack of trace elements and vitamins, then the treatment will be reduced to a revision of the diet and supplementing it with the necessary products. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe a vitamin-mineral complex.

By the way, in the diet of a pregnant woman, in any case, there should be the following products: cereals (buckwheat and oatmeal), wholemeal bread and pasta, sour-milk products, hard cheeses, fish, lean meat, vegetables and fruits in fresh and dry form , as well as nuts in a small amount. To maintain normal blood sugar levels, it is worth eating often and in small portions.

In order not to provoke leg cramps, it is important to follow these recommendations:

• wear comfortable shoes with a stable heel that does not exceed 5 cm;
• with varicose veins, wear special tights and stockings (the doctor will help you choose the right ones for you);
• starting from the third trimester, try to lie on your left side or put a small pillow under your right buttock to prevent manifestations of the “inferior vena cava syndrome”;
• try to avoid heavy loads on the legs, and if you have to stand for a long time, do unloading exercises that help restore blood circulation in the calf muscles (for example, rise on your toes and lower yourself on your foot several times);
• rest with legs slightly elevated;
• take relaxing warm foot baths before bed, using, for example, sea salt.

Especially for beremennost.net - Ksenia Dakhno

Involuntary sharp, strong, painful muscle contraction is called a cramp. It is impossible to remove it by willpower, subsequently the muscle hurts for up to several days. Cramps during pregnancy can appear in any part of the body - arms, facial muscles, especially around the mouth - but the calves of the legs suffer more often, usually at night.

1. Causes of cramps in pregnant women
2. Methods of helping a woman
3. Measures for the prevention of pathology

Photo:

Causes of cramps in pregnant women

There is a group of diseases for which convulsions are one of the symptoms, appearing during pregnancy. They are associated with metabolic disorders. Fortunately, they are relatively rare. Often the reasons are more prosaic.

1. Micronutrient deficiencies.
2. Decreased hemoglobin.
3. Change in blood glucose.
4. Dehydration.
5. Phlebeurysm.
6. Squeezing of the inferior vena cava.

Muscle tissues are forced to contract sharply when the ionic balance of the cell and the pericellular fluid is disturbed. The leading role belongs to specific substances. Not only during pregnancy, their lack leads to convulsions.

The main reason is the lack of certain trace elements in the blood.

The lack of these microelements in the blood is the main cause of nocturnal convulsive muscle contractions. Here is a list of them by their prevalence:

• magnesium - its deficiency is manifested by muscle pain, changes in blood pressure, irritability, insomnia, numbness, and a decrease in body temperature; a particular danger lies in the possible increase in the tone of the uterus;
• potassium - a decrease in its amount affects a depressive state, increased fatigue, convulsions during pregnancy at night, dehydration, constipation;
• calcium - if it is not enough, teeth and gums are destroyed, pressure rises, nervous disorders appear, nails become brittle, eczema may develop.

Various conditions can cause a change in the content of trace elements:

• severe toxicosis - not only does the body lose useful substances during vomiting, the lack of appetite leads to the impossibility of replenishing them, which is why during pregnancy it often cramps the leg;
• unauthorized use of diuretics - together with the liquid they remove the necessary trace elements;
• malnutrition - everything is important, from the wrong combination of products to the mode of eating.

The lack of nutrients is especially strong during pregnancy against the background of an increased need for them, which causes leg cramps.

These same reasons lead to a decrease in hemoglobin and blood glucose. The level of sugar directly depends on the diet, provided that there are no other diseases. If you eat a lot once or twice a day, this indicator will constantly change, causing many unpleasant consequences.

It's not just the lack of drinking that leads to dehydration. Water is actively excreted from the body under the influence of caffeine and nicotine.

The causes of leg cramps during pregnancy associated with exercise are usually easy to determine by the nature of the woman's work. It can affect both the need to stand or walk all the time, and prolonged work in a sitting position.

Appearances due to overwork

The last reason - compression of the vena cava - is associated with an enlarged uterus. This vein is located under it, a certain position of the body leads to a violation of the outflow of blood.

There is a certain dependence of the frequency of the causes of seizures during pregnancy on its term. The lack of substances manifests itself in the middle, since it is then that the fetus is actively growing. In the first months, it is more often associated with toxicosis and malnutrition.

Increased load, varicose veins, compression of the vena cava are more common in the last months. This is due to the increased body weight of a woman.

Methods of helping a woman

Be sure to inform your doctor about the occurrence of cramps in the calf or other muscles during pregnancy. Even if this is not a manifestation of a serious illness, any cause is fraught with consequences. By the nature of the accompanying symptoms, blood tests, additional studies, the doctor will determine the exact cause. This is the main condition for successful treatment.

But you need to know what to do if you have seizures during pregnancy. They appear more often at night, when the doctor is not around, and cause severe pain. There are proven and absolutely safe remedies that relieve pain in just a few seconds or prevent it altogether.

Also find out which cream to choose for stretch marks after childbirth and whether almond oil helps with stretch marks.

A lot of people are helped by pickle, for example, from a jar of cucumbers. Just one or two sips quickly cause muscle relaxation.

If leg cramps appear during pregnancy at night, you can keep a bar of soap in bed. Doctors cannot yet explain the action of a remedy tested by many people. But glycerin, which is one of the ingredients in the soap, has been found to help. Therefore, you can buy a bottle and lubricate your feet at night with a few drops.

Glycerin to the rescue

Grabbing pain is removed by simple and completely safe actions:

• stand on the cold floor with the whole foot;
• rest with a straight leg against the wall, so that the leg is perpendicular to the body;
• pull the big toe towards you, you need to do this even through pain, you can act with your hand, belt, towel, sheet;
• a risky, but helpful remedy for many - to prick the muscle with a needle;
• massage, rub, scratch the muscle;
• attach a hot heating pad, a bottle of water, pour from the shower.

By themselves, cramps in the calves of the legs are not particularly dangerous during pregnancy. But there are additional signs that indicate the possibility of a dangerous condition, requiring immediate medical attention.

1. The condition does not improve, it constantly repeats.
2. There is a feeling of numbness (in any part of the body).
3. There are edema, swelling.

In addition to the main reason, it is precisely the cramps during pregnancy that can be eliminated by massage, exercises, various ointments and gels are used with the permission of the doctor.

For quick help, use Venitan

Massage and exercise help improve blood circulation in the muscles. This brings tangible benefits in this condition. If leg cramps appear at night during pregnancy, it is better to do massage or gymnastics before bedtime.

Massage movements are very simple - you need to rub, knead the muscle. They move towards its center. Too much effort is not worth making, so as not to harm. A sufficient effect is a feeling of warmth, which indicates an increase in blood flow.

Gymnastics from cramps in the calves during pregnancy can be of the following plan:

• stand on your toes a dozen times, it is best to do several approaches throughout the day;
• lunges forward, alternately with each leg - this is an exercise for stretching the muscles;
• stand facing the wall, lean with your palms, step back with your feet, making sure that the body does not move.

Measures for the prevention of pathology

Knowing why it cramps legs, it is quite possible to avoid their appearance during pregnancy. The doctor may prescribe special preparations with magnesium, potassium and calcium. You also need to follow some simple rules.

1. Wear comfortable shoes, heels no higher than 5 cm.
2. Sleep under a spacious blanket.
3. With increased load on the legs, perform gymnastics.
4. If you have varicose veins, wear compression stockings or tights, and rest with your legs elevated.
5. When cramps in the calf muscles are associated with compression of the inferior vena cava, it is better to sleep on the left side during pregnancy.
6. Avoid smoking, caffeinated drinks, black tea. You can replace it with herbal infusions, compotes, juices.
7. An evening warm foot bath with sea salt helps.

Also find out what colostrum looks like during pregnancy and what causes colic in the abdomen during pregnancy.

Night cramps are a common problem that worries women during pregnancy. Painful muscle contractions occur in the middle of the night, interfering with normal sleep. What is the reason for this condition and how can you help yourself with seizures?

Causes

Cramps are severe painful muscle contractions. During pregnancy, this condition occurs mainly at night, after a short sleep. Attacks can also occur in the morning, especially in late gestation. After changing the position of the body, the pain noticeably subsides or completely stops.

Possible causes of night cramps:

Mineral metabolism disorders

In anticipation of the baby, the woman's need for some important trace elements, including calcium, potassium and magnesium, increases significantly. The lack of these substances can provoke the appearance of convulsions - painful muscle twitches. A similar problem often occurs in the early stages of pregnancy, in the midst of severe toxicosis. Constant vomiting leads to leaching of beneficial trace elements and vitamins, which provokes the appearance of seizures at night.

In late pregnancy, calcium and magnesium deficiency can be caused by improper nutrition. Night cramps are more likely to occur in women whose due date falls in early spring. To prevent beriberi, all expectant mothers are advised to take multivitamins designed specifically for pregnant women.

Anemia

Iron deficiency is another common cause of nighttime cramps. Anemia develops mainly in the second half of pregnancy, when the woman's body can no longer cope with the increased load. With severe anemia, metabolism is disturbed, and the required amount of oxygen ceases to flow into the muscles. Seizures develop, significantly complicating the life of the expectant mother. For the treatment of anemia, iron preparations are prescribed in tablets or injections.

Varicose disease

More than 50% of all pregnant women face manifestations of varicose veins. Hormonal changes that occur in anticipation of the baby lead to a decrease in the tone of the veins and provoke stagnation of blood in the vessels. In the later stages, the pressure of the growing uterus on the veins of the small pelvis is added. There is pain in the legs, heaviness, swelling. At night, painful cramps of the calf muscles occur. It helps to cope with cramps by wearing compression underwear and taking drugs that increase the tone of the venous wall.

Compression syndrome of the inferior vena cava

The inferior floor vein, into which the vessels from the lower extremities and the pelvis flow, runs along the spine. In late pregnancy, in the position of a woman lying on her back, the enlarged uterus compresses the wall of the vein. There is shortness of breath, the heartbeat becomes more frequent, cramps of the calf muscles occur. After 30 weeks, expectant mothers are advised to sleep on their side with a comfortable pillow or cushion under their buttocks.

First aid for seizures

How to relieve painful leg cramps?

1. Straighten the leg, pulling the toe towards you with force.
2. Rub the cramped muscle with your fingers, pinch yourself on the skin.
3. Massage the calf muscle with strong circular motions.
4. Get out of bed, walk barefoot on the floor.
5. Standing on the floor, step on the heel, transfer the weight of the body to it.
6. Take a warm shower.

If the pain persists, you need to stand against the wall, leaning your hands against the support. Slowly, in very small steps, step back as long as the length of the arms allows. Repeat the exercise several times until the cramp is gone. After the pain subsides, walk barefoot for a few minutes.

Principles of treatment

Several methods are used to treat and prevent night cramps:

Physiotherapy

Therapeutic exercise is the best way to prevent the occurrence of painful cramps at night. You should do it regularly, every day at about the same time. All exercises are done slowly, without tension, to the best of your ability and ability. If you feel unwell, training should be stopped for a while.

Sample selection of exercises:

1. Sit comfortably with a straight back. Stretch your legs forward, pull the sock towards you. Return to starting position.
2. Sitting with a straight back, pull your leg towards you, bending at the hip joint. Do a few lunges forward and backward. Help yourself with your hands if necessary. Repeat the exercise with the other leg.
3. Sitting on the floor, pull your bent leg in and make a few circular movements in the hip joint. Repeat the exercise with the other leg. This warm-up allows you to not only cope with cramps, but also prepares the hip joints for the upcoming birth.

Regular yoga or gymnastics in groups for expectant mothers will also help alleviate the condition. Swimming in the pool will be beneficial.

Massage

Cramps in the calf muscles can be relieved with self-massage. During the attack, grasp the shin with both hands, fix the thumbs on the back of the leg. Massage the contracted muscle for at least one minute. After the pain subsides, massage the lower leg with light circular movements with the whole palm. If the legs cramp every night, preventive massage should be done 2-3 times during the day.

Diet

Rational nutrition is an excellent prevention of beriberi during pregnancy. In the diet of the expectant mother, there must be foods rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium:

• bananas;
• dried apricots;
• potatoes (in moderation);
• legumes (if there are no problems with digestion);
• carrot;
• spinach;
• greenery;
• milk;
• dairy products;
• cottage cheese.

Drug therapy for seizures during pregnancy is extremely rare. In the case of varicose veins, it is recommended to wear special compression garments that increase the tone of the venous wall. Until the birth, you should stop wearing tight, uncomfortable shoes (including high heels). Throughout the day, it is necessary to change the position of the body as often as possible so as not to provoke stagnation of blood and the appearance of painful cramps at night.

The use of special pillows for pregnant women significantly reduces the likelihood of developing seizures. Such pillows are soft rollers with a length of 1.5 to 2 m. The pillow is placed under the legs or between the legs, under the lower back or buttocks. In this position, the calf muscles relax, and pain in the legs practically does not occur. Instead of special pillows, you can use a blanket folded several times, a regular pillow or a soft roller.

Often, during a night's sleep, pregnant women are disturbed by discomfort in the legs, especially in the calf muscles. Why do they occur and ?

CAUSES OF CAPS IN PREGNANT WOMEN

Glucose deficiency. Convulsions in pregnant women can also occur due to a sharp drop in blood sugar levels. Since glucose, being a valuable source of energy, is now needed not only by the expectant mother, but also by the growing child, there are often not enough resources.

The absence of a diet, eating on the go, late plentiful dinners also contributes to a decrease in sugar levels.

Phlebeurysm. The situation is aggravated by excessive pressure of the growing fetus on the veins of the small pelvis, as a result of which blood circulation in the lower extremities weakens. At the same time, the acceleration of blood circulation in the groin increases the load on the arteries and capillaries.

Smoking, abuse of strong coffee and tea. Under the influence of nicotine, a chronic lack of oxygen develops, which leads to spasms. Excessive caffeine intake leads to dehydration of the muscles, which leads to loss of elasticity and cramps.

Abuse of deuretic drugs used in the fight against puffiness. These drugs are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they facilitate the work of the kidneys and really relieve swelling. On the other hand, with the wrong dosage, together with excess fluid, they remove trace elements from the body, which causes cramps in the legs.

In some cases, convulsions can occur against the background of reduced hemoglobin (anemia), with an excess of lactic acid and magnesium deficiency.

PREVENTION OF CAPS DURING PREGNANCY

Depositphotos

Naturally, the problem is easier to deal with before it occurs. In order to avoid seizures during pregnancy, you must:

• lead a mobile lifestyle;
• eat right during pregnancy
• take a mineral complex containing calcium and magnesium;
• do stretching, Pilates or swimming;
• massage (rub heated vegetable oil with a few drops of essential oil into the calves and feet, kneading with the fingertips and rubbing with the knuckles or the edge of the palm; perform all movements in ascending lines);
• use special cooling creams and ointments with severe heaviness in the legs (for the prevention of varicose veins, products with horse chestnut extract are best suited).

HOW TO FIGHT CRAMPS DURING PREGNANCY

Visit a doctor. He must determine if the spasms are a side effect of any serious illness.

With severe spasm, stand on an abducted leg. If the pain is too sharp and it is difficult to even move, you need to at least pull the foot towards you. This must be done by overcoming the pain.

Relax a tense muscle, make pinching and patting movements. In some situations, if the muscle is numb, it is worth using piercing objects (pin or needle).

Make hot foot baths with sea salt and mustard(if spasms are not caused by varicose veins).

Depositphotos

Review your diet. must be balanced. Eat slow carbohydrates: cereals, whole grain bread, durum wheat pasta, fresh vegetables and fruits. If there is a problem of leg cramps, it is better to give up fast carbohydrates: sugar, sweets, pastries, as they provoke a jump in blood glucose, and then a sharp decrease in it. And this is fraught with muscle spasms.

Eat dairy products to make up for calcium deficiency: natural cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt. To saturate the body with potassium, dried fruits, bananas, potatoes, beef liver are suitable. By eating seeds, nuts, green leafy vegetables and carrots, you can provide the body with the necessary dose of magnesium. Also, the application will not be superfluous.

During pregnancy, a woman often feels painful contractions of the legs when their tension reaches the limit - this is called cramps. They start abruptly, mostly during periods of rest, often at night. Leg cramps during pregnancy can overcome the expectant mother for various reasons.

What causes seizures?

• These painful contractions are a symptom of so many possible disorders in the body. Their most common cause is a lack of certain trace elements and vitamins. This condition may occur due to toxicosis, increased needs of the growing fetus, the use of diuretics and herbs, and malnutrition.
• The second most common factor that can cause leg cramps is severe anemia or stress.
• When a woman's blood sugar is disturbed, it can also lead to painful contractions. The expectant mother may not even be aware of her condition, the reasons for which are rather banal - a pregnant woman loves various sweets very much or eats rarely, in large portions.
• Varicose veins and drinks containing caffeine often provoke cramps.
• If none of the reasons listed above are confirmed, then the woman may be suffering from "inferior vena cava compression syndrome" with a growing uterus - this happens in the 3rd trimester. When the gynecologist refutes this probability, then you really need to rely on his experience and listen to his assumptions, because this trouble can be caused by a number of other diseases and complications.

Treatment and prevention of leg cramps during pregnancy

First, if there is an attack, then slowly and strongly pull your toes towards you, relax and repeat the exercise.

Secondly, after the pain has subsided, massage the muscle where the cramp occurred and slowly walk around.

The prevention of painful contraction of the leg is a simple action: you need to raise your legs on the pillow and thus lie down a bit. It is also advisable to wear comfortable shoes and avoid long walks. You should also stop smoking and reduce the amount of caffeine and sugar in your diet.

All these techniques will only ease the attack, but it is necessary to deal with treatment and find out the cause.

• If the cause of seizures is a lack of nutrients in the body of a pregnant woman, then vitamin preparations are prescribed and the woman's nutrition is regulated. If they occur due to stress, then it is possible to use sedatives.
• When painful contractions are caused by the "squeezing syndrome of the inferior vena cava", then only the usual prevention and patience will help. After childbirth, this condition will definitely pass.

Reviews

Alenka:"Magnesium B6 helps a lot and the course of Calcemin"

Katia:"You need to drink calcium. Calcinova, for example, or Calcium D3 forte"

Lena:“It happens to me in the mornings. The first pregnancy was generally terrible ... Then both legs hurt, I couldn’t walk ... And now I learned how to stretch my leg correctly and it doesn’t hurt at all later. I drink milk, kefir .. I don’t like tablets"

Maria:“But nothing helped me during pregnancy. My hands were cramping terribly, especially at night. I roared and endured. Good."

Alyona:"You can't have too much calcium.. Especially after 30 weeks... You only need to drink one course of it! And so you need to drink Magnesium B6 !!"

Olga:"My gynecologist advised me to drink magnesium B6. It helped me. I drank for a week 2 times a day"

Anna:"Magnerot needed!!! Great thing"

Jadwiga:"I also suffer from seizures, especially during pregnancy. I have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and potassium is sometimes below normal. During pregnancy, I ate a lot of dried apricots and raisins - it helped"

For most women, pregnancy is difficult. With a change in the hormonal background, an exacerbation of chronic diseases occurs, and all organs and systems in the body experience an enormous load.

Convulsive contraction of the calf muscle is a common occurrence that worries the expectant mother at rest and at night. Pulls legs for a reason.

In most cases, convulsions occur as one of the symptoms of the pathological process, which should be paid attention to the pregnant woman and the doctor observing her.

The cause of the disease in the first trimester is toxicosis, which is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The body loses many valuable trace elements. To prevent leg cramps, you should start taking a course of vitamins.

In the second trimester, there is an intensive growth and development of the child, which also entails a large consumption of minerals and vitamins. The loss of nutrients may be associated with the uncontrolled use of diuretics. The problem is solved by selecting a special menu for expectant mothers, which will contain useful trace elements.

Reduces the calves of the legs during pregnancy in the later stages due to the fact that the grown child puts a load on the pelvic organs and compresses the inferior vena cava. The culprit of spasms in the third trimester can be varicose veins.

Read also: What to do if a nerve is pinched in the knee?

Consider the main causes of leg cramps during pregnancy.

Deficiency of trace elements and vitamins

• Calcium. The lack of this substance in the body brings serious problems: tooth decay, stratification of the nail plate, hair loss, and nervous problems.
• Potassium deficiency is accompanied by depressive states, severe fatigue and constipation, cramps in the calf muscle at night during pregnancy.
• Magnesium is an essential element for the proper development of the fetus. With its lack, a woman experiences increased irritability, suffers from sleep disturbance, and jumps in blood pressure are noted. Sometimes uterine hypertonicity develops, which can lead to termination of pregnancy.
• Vitamin B6. The loss of the element leads to muscle weakness, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, irritability and fatigue.

Decreased hemoglobin and blood glucose levels

Control of sugar and hemoglobin levels during pregnancy should be carried out regularly by a doctor.

A lack of glucose and iron can lead to fetal hypoxia and the appearance of convulsive twitches at night or in the morning. An increase in blood sugar is dangerous for the development of gestational diabetes.

Lack of water in the body

A pregnant woman should drink at least 2 liters of fluid per day. Dehydration can occur with frequent consumption of caffeinated drinks or excessive smoking.

Water is involved in metabolic processes, eliminates decay products and transports nutrients to the developing child.

Loads on the muscles

Overwork as a result of work activity, together with a fast-growing fetus, leads to the fact that in the evenings a woman has a situation where a cramp has reduced the calf muscles. When pregnancy occurs, the expectant mother should switch to light work and rest more often.

Vein problems

Increased pressure on the legs associated with weight gain, a sedentary lifestyle, hereditary burden, can cause the development of varicose veins.

In the initial stages, the disease is manifested by an increase in the capillary pattern and small edema in the ankle joint. In the stage of progression during pregnancy, it reduces the legs at night, the veins appear in the form of strands and knots. If left untreated, surgery will be required.

Read also: Pinching and inflammation of the sciatic nerve

Compression of the inferior vena cava

The growing uterus affects the organs and vessels that are located in the small pelvis. Pressure on the right lower vena cava leads to impaired blood flow, pain in the right side and congestion in the legs, which are manifested by pastosity, itching of the skin and convulsions.

Inappropriate clothing

Often the legs are brought together due to prolonged wearing of uncomfortable tight shoes or skinny jeans, which additionally compress the blood vessels.

High-heeled shoes are contraindicated during pregnancy due to a shift in the center of gravity and vestibular disorders due to toxicosis or hormonal changes.

First aid methods

What to do when legs cramp during pregnancy?

Muscle spasm brings a lot of discomfort and can occur suddenly. To eliminate the disease, the following actions are necessary:

1. Gently massage the contraction on the leg with warm hands. Try to knead the muscle from bottom to top along the course of venous blood, at the same time it is necessary to squeeze and unclench your fingers.
2. If the movement of the feet is not possible, then you need to lean your foot against the wall, pull the foot towards you or put it on the floor and press until the muscle tissue relaxes.
3. If the cramp does not go away, you need to get up and walk a little on the cold floor. The cooler the surface, the faster relief will come.
4. To eliminate pain in the legs after a spasm, you can take a warm bath or apply a heating pad to the lower leg.
5. Pricking with a pin or pinching a muscle helps relieve a small attack.

After removing the pain syndrome, it is necessary to massage the calves a little and put the legs on a raised platform.

Which doctor should I contact?

To find out the cause of the appearance of seizures in the lower extremities, it is worth visiting the observing doctor and taking tests.

Read also: Causes of cramps in the femoral muscles

Diagnosis is carried out along with consultations with an endocrinologist, therapist and phlebologist. The sooner you turn to honey. institution, the sooner the problem will be resolved and the risk of complications for the child will decrease.

Treatment with ointments and gels

When using funds, you need to be aware of the possible occurrence of allergic reactions due to altered hormonal levels. Topical drugs are the safest for a pregnant woman.

To relieve spasms use:

• Troxerutin - strengthens the venous walls and reduces the pastiness of the legs;
• Venitan - gel has an analgesic effect and eliminates the consequences of an attack;
• Heparin ointment is used under the supervision of a specialist, as it has side effects. Good for varicose veins;
• gels that stimulate blood circulation and have a warming effect.

Folk remedies

The use of alternative medicine methods is more preferable during pregnancy due to natural ingredients and minimal risk of side effects.

Liquorice root

The plant has a beneficial effect on the trophism of the muscle tissue of the limbs and has a tonic effect on nerve conduction, resulting in a reduced risk of night spasms.

To prepare the infusion, 100 g of the plant is poured with boiling water and allowed to stand until completely cooled. Take 3 times a day.

Eggshell

The product is rich in calcium, which is necessary for normal growth and development of bone tissue. Before using the product, the chicken egg shell is thoroughly washed, crushed in a deep bowl and a few drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice are added. Take a supplement in the morning.

Hawthorn

The use of the fruits of the plant during pregnancy reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular and nervous diseases. Take a decoction of hawthorn only under the supervision of a specialist: a sharp decrease in blood pressure, the occurrence of drowsiness or disorders in the gastrointestinal tract are possible.

To prepare the infusion, you need to take 3 tablespoons of fruits, pour them with hot water and cook for 10 minutes. After insisting for several hours and taking up to 5 times a day.

Valerian and nettle

The mixture reduces nervous excitability and improves the conduction of signals in tissues. To prepare a solution of 2 tbsp. Spoons of plants are poured with boiling water and cooled slightly. Take a decoction twice a day, 250 ml.