Leg Cramps in Pregnancy
During the course of pregnancy, your body will change and adapt in order to accommodate for the extra weight that your body will be carrying. You may experience changes to not only your stomach as your pregnancy progresses but also to your posture, legs and feet. These changes and the aches associated with them are normal. Becoming aware of how your body will change at each stage of your pregnancy will help you to cope and deal with pregnancy pain.
Leg Cramps
Leg cramps are a common pain for pregnant women to experience. It is still unsure exactly why these are caused but studies [1] suggest it could be because of pregnancy weight and the compression of blood vessels in the legs due to the expansion of the uterus.
These cramps are often worse at night and can wake you up with sudden sharp pain in the leg. The following things may be helpful:
Gentle leg stretches
Regularly stretching your legs may help prevent cramps. There are a few leg stretches you can do that will help the muscles relax, and will reduce the frequency and severity of the cramps. Stretches for the calf and hamstrings have been found to be very beneficial. If you would like more guidance on the best stretches to suit your body and needs, get in touch and we can develop a plan and guide you through it.
Keeping hydrated
Dehydration often plays a big part in muscle cramps. Keeping hydrated throughout the day, especially while moving, can help keep cramps from happening. During cramps, fluids can help the muscles to relax.
Keeping active
Activity while pregnant can help to alleviate pains and aches. Light exercise is recommended during pregnancy as it helps to energise your body and ease pain. Pilates, yoga and swimming are all considered very beneficial to expectant mothers. These low impact activities are safe for the baby.
Rest
Although keeping active is important, resting is just as important. Lying down for a rest during the day to give your legs a break can be helpful.
If you notice excessive swelling, redness or heat in the calf, this could be a sign of a blood clot. Although these are rare, they are more common during pregnancy. This requires immediate medical attention, please contact your doctor if you see these signs.
If you have any questions regarding pregnancy pain or wish to book an appointment, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Resources
[1] Changes in lower extremity blood flow during advancing phases of pregnancy - Link here
Pregnancy Services
Many changes happen to your body over the course of the 9 months, this may put more strain on certain parts of your body. We want to support you in having a healthy and happy pregnancy. It is our mission to support you in pursuing a healthy lifestyle and regaining confidence in your body.