Leg cramps during pregnancy

introduction

Leg cramps are a phenomenon that affects many pregnant women.
A calf cramp describes a painful cramping of the calf muscles, which is usually triggered by a faulty excitation of the nerves in the leg.

This fact often affects pregnant women in particular. It is believed that more than every tenth expectant mother is plagued by frequent cramps in the lower leg muscles.
The exact causes have not yet been clarified, but there are several factors in pregnant women that can promote such cramps. They also mostly occur at night and often prevent women from sleeping.
It is not known why the calves are often affected.

Read more on the topic: Leg cramps at night

The cause of calf cramps is not to be found in the behavior of the pregnant woman herself, but is an interplay of many factors that occur during pregnancy and are inevitable.

It is increased by leg cramps in the last third reported during pregnancy, but they can also occur in the second trimester.
This indicates that the increasing development of the child and thus also the weight load for the woman plays an essential role in calf cramps.

Kick the pain much earlier a gynecologist should be consulted.
Consultation with a specialist is also recommended if the pain does not occur in spasms and cramps, but rather permanent and constant persists.

In the worst case, a thrombosis that is causing the pain and needs urgent medical attention.

causes

The causes for Calf cramps in the pregnancy are diverse and often appear together.
magnesium is an important mineral that muscles need.
Is this missing or is one defect before, the Relax muscles worse and cramps can occur.

If the muscle is additionally strained, this also promotes cramping. Both factors are more common in pregnancy than in physically healthy young people. The Additional burden mostly arises from the additional weight load.
Of the Magnesium deficiency however, is on the Change in maternal metabolism and in particular the mineral and fluid balance.
An increased urge to urinate and increased fluid loss, for example through sweating, are at the expense of the magnesium level.

A decreased blood flow the leg muscles also promote the development of cramps.
Pregnant women in particular are affected by this, as they are increasingly produced by the interaction of the Hormones and because of the less exercise that inevitably occurs with pregnancy, you have a significantly higher risk of circulatory disorders.
Also Thrombosis in Pregnancy can be a consequence of this.
They are more likely to cause you constant painif they arise in a leg vein.
Since they sometimes very dangerous Immediate is recommended for such pain Advice from the gynecologist.

It is not uncommon for the spasm to be triggered directly by irritation of the associated nerve.
Since the uterus continues to grow in the course of a pregnancy and takes up space for itself, nerves in the lower abdominal area can be pinched, which is directly noticeable in the legs.

Symptoms

The leg cramp is a common phenomenonwhich is not only found in pregnant women. He kicks in bursts and short-lasting Cramps, which unfortunately are perceived as uncomfortably painful. It is reported that this pain in most cases at night occurs. This makes the occurrence of calf cramps even more uncomfortable, as the affected person is always roused from their sleep.

It should be noted that with calf cramps the pain convulsive and only in bursts occurs. This pain is to be distinguished from a constant and permanently existing Pain, which one for example Thrombosis which finds leg veins.
To further differentiate, it also helps to note the time of pregnancy.

Leg cramps often occur in later stages, that is in the last third pregnancy before birth.
If severe pain occurs early in pregnancy, a specialist should be urgently consulted.

therapy

There are targeted measures to combat an acute muscle spasm in the calf, it should occur once. You can also enter through a few possibilities Prevent cramp.

When the cramp occurs acute on, this is initially very uncomfortable and is often perceived as very painful. Looking at the leg from the outside, you can quickly see that the Muscle strongly contracted, cramped will and himself hardened.
One measure that immediately relieves pain and should be applied reflexively is that Tighten your toes towards your shin.
You can support this movement with your own hand if you reach your feet with your hands despite the baby bump, or with the the ball of the foot firmly braced against a wall or floor.

A targeted movement of the calf muscles is a remedy for acute spasms. Also a brief walking around with conscious involvement of the affected leg is helpful. It is recommended in any case, during and after the occurrence of the spasm Massage the lower legs, to the To loosen muscles.
If you don't do that, you often find yourself very uncomfortable the next day aching firmly.

One method here is to use the flat of your hand to “spread out” the cramp from your heel upwards. This loosens the muscle and the pain should also be relieved quickly. warmth also has a relaxing effect on the calf area. A warm bath or one Hot water bottle can make a big difference.

Also prophylactic can be Exercises apply to the leg muscles. Frequent stretch and targeted training the calf muscles can help. It has proven to be beneficial for many women to do stretching exercises before going to bed. Here, too, the aim is to loosen up and relax the muscles. Big lunges and conscious rolling of the foot strain and loosen the muscles evenly.

Another starting point to preventively counteract calf cramps during pregnancy is one Improve blood circulation in the legs. Generally it stimulates blood circulation Sports. On the one hand, the possibilities of doing sport are limited during pregnancy, on the other hand, even light exercise pays off. Come into question walks, swim go, To go biking, yoga and other pregnancy-friendly sports. Excessive exercise is counterproductive, which is why breaks should not be neglected.

Even in everyday behavior you can Actively affect the blood circulation in the legs. If you sit or lie down a lot during the day, it is advisable not to stay in the same positions all the time. On the other hand it is occasional raising of the legs relieves and promotes blood circulation. This is because gravity reduces the work of the veins that carry the blood out of the legs. Ultimately also effect Massages a promotion of blood circulation, especially in combination with Alternating showers and essential oils.

As a widely accepted cause of calf cramps in one Magnesium deficiency you can increase your magnesium level therapeutically as well as prophylactically. Usually it is enough to be aware to eat rich in magnesium and in addition much to drink. A few examples are magnesium-rich foods Nuts, dairy products, spinach or fennel. If the deficiency is severe, in Consultation with the doctor also one Magnesium tablet be taken.
In any case, under no circumstances should you take medication yourself during pregnancy, as the changed metabolic situation can have different effects on the organism than usual.
Also magnesium got to magnesium because in too high concentration can it die Inhibit labor. On the other hand is a severe deficiency of magnesium can also be classified as dangerous. Just as initially only calf cramps occur, if the level is blatantly low, the Uterus cramp and cause early labor.

Alternative medical treatments often include the so-called "Schüssler salts". This is Preparations of mineralswhich, however, are in homeopathic doses exist. Let them dissolve in your mouth until they are completely absorbed by the mucous membrane.

This therapy method is based on the idea that all diseases are caused by an unbalanced mineral balance. The use of Schüssler salts is very widespread in naturopathy, but not recognized by medicine as an effective treatment method.
This is due to the fact that scientific methods alone cannot prove any effect.