For most women, pregnancy is not easy. With changes in hormonal levels, chronic diseases worsen, and all organs and systems in the body experience enormous stress.
Causes of cramps in pregnant women
Convulsive contraction of the calf muscle is a common phenomenon that worries the expectant mother at rest and at night. It doesn't just pull your legs.
In most cases, seizures occur as one of the symptoms of a pathological process, which should be paid attention to by 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 microelements. To prevent leg cramps, you should start taking a course of vitamins.
In the second trimester, intensive growth and development of the child occurs, which also entails a large consumption of minerals and vitamins. Loss useful substances may be associated with uncontrolled use of diuretics. The problem can be solved by selecting a special menu for expectant mothers, which will contain useful microelements.
Reduces the calves of the legs during pregnancy later due to the fact that an older child puts stress on the pelvic organs and compresses the inferior vena cava. Varicose veins may be the culprit for cramps in the third trimester.
Let's look at the main causes of leg cramps during pregnancy.
Deficiency of microelements and vitamins
- Calcium. Flaw of this substance in the body carries serious problems: tooth decay, dissection nail plate, hair loss, nerve problems.
- A lack of potassium is accompanied by depression, severe fatigue and constipation, and cramps of the calf muscle at night during pregnancy.
- Magnesium is a necessary element for the proper development of the fetus. If it is deficient, a woman experiences increased irritability, suffers from sleep disturbances, and increases in blood pressure. Sometimes uterine hypertonicity develops, which can lead to termination of pregnancy.
- Vitamin B6. Loss of the element leads to muscle weakness, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, irritability and fatigue.
Decreased hemoglobin and blood glucose levels
Monitoring of sugar and hemoglobin levels during pregnancy should be carried out regularly by a supervising doctor.
A lack of glucose and iron can lead to fetal hypoxia and the appearance of convulsive twitching at night or in the morning. Increased 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 participates in metabolic processes, eliminates waste products and transports nutrients to the developing child.
Muscle loads
Overwork as a result of work activity, combined with a rapidly growing fetus, leads to the fact that in the evenings a woman experiences a situation where her calf muscles are cramped. 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, and hereditary conditions can cause the development of varicose veins.
In the initial stages, the disease manifests itself as an increase in the capillary pattern and slight swelling in the ankle joint. As pregnancy progresses, legs cramp at night, veins appear in the form of cords and nodes. If left untreated, surgery will be required.
Compression of the inferior vena cava
The increasing size of the uterus affects the organs and vessels that are located in the pelvis. Pressure on the right inferior vena cava leads to disruption of blood flow, pain in the right side and congestion in the legs, which are manifested by pastiness, itching of the skin and cramps.
Inappropriate clothing
Often the legs cramp due to prolonged wearing of uncomfortable tight shoes or skinny jeans, which additionally compress the blood vessels.
Shoes on high heels 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 your legs cramp during pregnancy?
Muscle spasms cause a lot of discomfort and can occur suddenly. To eliminate the disease, the following actions are necessary:
- Gently massage the contraction area on the leg warm hands. Try to knead the muscle from bottom to top along the flow of venous blood, at the same time you need to clench and unclench your fingers.
- If movement of the feet is impossible, then you need to lean your foot against the wall, pull your foot towards you or place it on the floor and press until the muscle tissue relaxes.
- 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.
- To relieve leg pain after a spasm, you can take a warm bath or apply a heating pad to your shin.
- Pricking with a pin or pinching a muscle can help relieve a small attack.
After relieving the pain, you need to massage your calves a little and put your legs on an elevated platform.
Which doctor should I contact?
To find out the cause of cramps in the lower extremities, it is worth visiting a supervising doctor and getting tested.
Diagnosis is carried out along with consultations with an endocrinologist, therapist and phlebologist. The sooner you go to the medical center. institution, the faster the problem will be resolved and the risk of complications for the child will be reduced.
Treatment with ointments and gels
When using products, you need to remember the possible occurrence of allergic reactions due to altered hormonal levels. External medications 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. Helps well with 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 its natural ingredients and minimal risk of side effects.
Licorice 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 cramps.
To prepare the infusion, pour boiling water over 100 g of the plant and let stand until it cools completely. 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, peel the shell chicken egg wash thoroughly, pound in a deep bowl and add a few drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Take the supplement in the morning.
Hawthorn
Eating the fruits of the plant during pregnancy reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular and nervous diseases. Hawthorn decoction should only be taken under the supervision of a specialist: a sharp decrease in blood pressure, drowsiness or gastrointestinal disorders may occur.
To prepare the infusion, you need to take 3 tablespoons of the fruit, pour hot water over it and cook for 10 minutes. Then leave for several hours and take up to 5 times a day.
Valerian and nettle
The mixture reduces nervous excitability and improves signal conduction in tissues. To prepare a solution, 2 tbsp. spoons of plants are poured with boiling water and cooled slightly. Take the decoction twice a day, 250 ml.
Prevention measures
When performing simple activities, the risk of muscle spasms is reduced.
Massage and exercise
To relieve heaviness in the legs during pregnancy, it is useful to massage the limbs. It is advisable to perform the procedure every evening, starting from the foot and slowly moving towards the thigh. First, you need to do light stroking to warm up the muscles, and then begin kneading and rubbing.
Acupressure of the feet using acupuncture mats or balls brings good results.
After the procedure, you can take warm baths with sea salt And essential oils. To improve blood circulation in the lower extremities, you should often place your legs on a pillow or bolster.
Elements of therapeutic exercises during pregnancy prevent spasms and help relieve swelling and venous stagnation.
Approximate set of classes:
- slow raises on toes;
- rolling from heel to toes;
- swinging legs in a lying position, imitation of riding a bicycle, circular movements alternately with the lower limbs;
- bend and straighten your feet, pulling your toes towards you, stretching the muscles of your lower leg.
When performing exercises, you need to listen to your inner state. If pain or discomfort occurs, you should stop doing gymnastics and consult a doctor.
Proper nutrition
During the period of bearing a child, a pregnant woman's diet should be as balanced as possible and enriched with vitamins and mineral complexes.
General nutrition rules:
- Divide the daily amount of food into 5-6 meals.
- Avoid fried, smoked and spicy foods.
- You should not overeat or eat dry food.
- Avoid late-night snacking. Before going to bed, you can drink a glass of low-fat kefir or eat an apple.
- Food should be stewed, boiled or baked.
It is important to include in your diet foods containing sufficient amounts of potassium (kelp, bananas), calcium (eggs, vegetables, milk), and magnesium (nuts, dried fruits, beets).
Vitamins for pregnant women
The need for nutrients grows with the development of the child. Therefore, special complexes have been developed that correspond to each period of pregnancy.
Some vitamins should be taken at the planning stage for the proper development of the internal organs of the fetus. Folic acid, tocopherol, iodine, calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium are especially necessary.
Vitamin complexes are taken only after doctor's prescriptions. During use, you should pay attention to the appearance of rash or itching.
Whenever side effects The medications should be discontinued and the doctor should be informed to decide on a replacement.
Also, to prevent seizures, you should adhere to the following rules:
- wear comfortable shoes and clothing that does not interfere with free blood circulation and lymph drainage;
- in the presence of varicose veins, support the venous walls by wearing compression garments;
- avoid exposure to high and low temperatures;
- sleep on the left side to avoid compression of the pelvic vessels;
- lead healthy image life;
- take a walk in the fresh air every day.
During pregnancy, you need to tune in to positive thoughts and avoid stress as much as possible. When the first symptoms of the disease appear, you should consult a specialist and, if necessary, begin treatment.
Convulsions- This is an involuntary and rather painful muscle contraction caused by poor circulation in this area of the body.
Quite often, women first experience leg cramps during pregnancy. “Legs together,” as they say in common parlance, can happen for a variety of reasons, the main ones of which are described below.
Why do pregnant women experience leg cramps?
Most often, seizures are not an independent disease. Cramps of the lower extremities are more likely a symptom of some disease, a sign of poor circulation or excessive muscle strain.
Your legs may cramp due to:
- predisposition or presence of varicose veins (since this disease leads to poor circulation in the extremities);
- muscle fatigue;
- improperly selected shoes or wearing high heels;
- uncomfortable posture or prolonged stay without movement during sleep (the legs become numb and cramp);
- swelling of the legs of various origins;
- cold feet syndrome;
- metabolic disorders (potassium, calcium and magnesium deficiency), which leads to muscle weakness and spasms;
- the presence of inflammatory processes in muscles or ligaments;
- diabetes mellitus (since this disease impairs the peripheral circulation of the legs);
- neurological problems, in particular diseases of the lower spine;
- hormonal imbalance (but then the pregnant woman is diagnosed with “threatened miscarriage” and she undergoes hormonal therapy), but if nothing threatens the pregnancy, then convulsions can occur due to changes in hormonal status (when the body has not yet had time to adapt).
But as a rule, leg cramps are observed in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. The reason for this is the increased load on the muscles and ligaments of the legs, because a pregnant woman’s tummy is constantly increasing in size and weight. In addition, the enlarged uterus often compresses the large blood vessels of the pelvis, which disrupts the venous outflow and cramps the legs.
It is also worth saying that during pregnancy the need for microelements increases, because the baby takes a certain part of them from the mother’s body. With a deficiency of such important nutrients as potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, cramps in the calves and toes may occur. Therefore, if a woman has not yet started taking a special complex of vitamins for pregnant women, it is worth thinking about it.
Why do my legs cramp more often at night?
This may happen due to:
- uncomfortable body position or prolonged immobility during sleep. At the same time, blood circulation in the legs is disrupted and the legs cramp.
- increased muscle excitability due to drinking excessive amounts of coffee or tea during the day. These drinks are muscle stimulants due to the presence of caffeine in them, so excessive intake of coffee or tea does not allow the legs to relax even during a night's rest.
- In most women, swelling of the legs increases in the evening due to the stress suffered during the day. The appearance of edema causes leg cramps.
Nighttime cramps can be longer and more painful than daytime cramps. You need to know how to make your muscles relax and stop the development of pain.
What to do during a seizure attack?
It is necessary to remember the sequence of actions for cramps of various groups of leg muscles and practice in advance to quickly and clearly perform them. This will help relieve spasms without unnecessary fuss in a minimum amount of time.
General procedure:
- Straighten your leg.
- Engage antagonist muscles (see explanation below).
- Activate blood circulation by rubbing the painful area.
Detailed procedures for different muscles
1. If there is a spasm in the muscles of the foot and calves, the first step is to forcefully pull the sock towards you (see Figure 1).
Figure 1 – Method for getting rid of foot and calf cramps
In this way, antagonist muscles will be activated, which do the opposite work. And if they tense, then the cramped muscles should spontaneously relax. This is provided for by the structure of the body of each person.
With the other hand, you need to thoroughly and quickly rub, knead, and pinch the cramped muscle.
Such actions will reduce spasm and increase blood flow in the spasmed muscle.
Also, painful contractions in the calf muscles can be stopped by pressing on certain points. Press sharply, quickly and forcefully thumb in the center of the popliteal fossa of the flattened leg. Next, you need to press the point above the heel 5-6 cm, and moving your hand up, press the calf three times at intervals of several centimeters.
2. If you have a cramp in the front of your thigh, bend your leg at the knee, pulling it towards your chest with your hands (see Figure 2). If the deadline no longer allows you to do this, then you need to pull your leg as close to your stomach as possible, but without squeezing it.
Rub the cramped muscle and repeat all over again.
Figure 2 - Method for getting rid of cramps on the anterior thigh
3. If there is spasm in the back of the thigh and/or buttock, lift the cramped leg and straighten it at the knee (see Figure 3). Rub the back of your thigh thoroughly with your hands. If necessary, do this all again.
Figure 3 – Relief from hamstring cramps
It is useful for all pregnant women to study this instruction, regardless of whether they suffer from leg cramps or not, because no one is immune from its occurrence.
Seizure prevention
What can I do to avoid or reduce the frequency of seizures? The first step is to identify and try to eliminate the cause of their occurrence.
If the woman does not suffer from any of the diseases listed at the beginning of the article, then the general recommendations should be followed.
1. Eat more greens, vegetables, fruits (in winter period dried fruits, such as dried apricots, dates, prunes) and sesame seeds (a source of calcium). Increase the amount in your diet fermented milk products. Avoid excessive consumption of tea and coffee, salty, spicy and pickled. Try to drink more clean water, and only 30% of the total amount of liquid consumed should be juices, fruit drinks, and compotes.
A pregnant woman, tired during the day, finally goes to rest in the evening. But what is it? The calf muscle located on the back of the lower leg tightened sharply, suddenly, causing severe pain. The foot straightened and stretched out, as if wanting to “stand on tiptoe.” Moreover, experiencing significant pain from muscle strain and overextension, you cannot relax and return the foot to its normal position: the muscles simply refuse to obey the orders of the brain. This is how cramps appear, which often become uninvited companions of pregnancy.
Often, cramps begin to bother the expectant mother in the first months of pregnancy due to repeated vomiting ( early toxicosis). Convulsive contractions of the calf muscles or hand muscles (less commonly, the facial muscles located around the mouth) usually occur at night, while falling asleep. But they can also appear during the day, for example, when a pregnant woman sits down or lies down to rest.
Reasons
Mechanisms of occurrence of muscle contraction and its regulation by nervous system are extremely complex and are based on the difference in the ion content of certain microelements outside and inside the cell. Any violation of this ratio can manifest itself, among other things, in seizures. One of the main causes of hypnogogic (that is, occurring before falling asleep) cramps in pregnant women is precisely a violation of mineral metabolism.
What leads to these violations:
- Firstly, an increase in the need for microelements, because now much more minerals are required: a woman needs to both provide her own body with them and “saturate” the growing child.
- Secondly, vomiting during pregnancy. With vomit, a person loses a huge amount of microelements - not only those that he received with food the day before, but also those that are part of digestive enzymes.
- Thirdly, nutritional imbalance, when, to please food preferences, a woman refuses any group of products and, accordingly, does not receive the unique substances contained in them (for example, by giving up cottage cheese and other fermented milk products, we do not receive enough calcium).
- Fourthly, incorrect, uncontrolled use of diuretics, the use of which is associated with an attempt to relieve swelling in the second half of pregnancy. Diuretic drugs intensively remove not only water, but also minerals dissolved in it.
Most often, cramps occur due to a deficiency of potassium, calcium, magnesium or vitamin B6.
Potassium
Potassium is present in every living cell and is extremely important for it. Prolonged, frequent vomiting and profuse diarrhea, as well as improper use of certain diuretics are dangerous due to the occurrence of a deficiency of this substance. Excessive consumption of coffee (caffeine) can also lead to potassium deficiency. In addition, under conditions of magnesium deficiency, the absorption of potassium is also impaired.
Potassium deficiency manifests itself:
- rapid muscle fatigue and cramps;
- constipation;
- retention of salt and fluid in the body, i.e. swelling;
- low blood pressure;
- thirst and dry mouth;
- depression, nervousness, low mood;
- increased blood cholesterol levels;
- dry skin;
- the occurrence of acne;
- tachycardia (rapid heartbeat).
Potassium is ubiquitous and can be found in any food product, only in some there is a little more of it, and in others - a little less. The richest in potassium are: dried apricots - dried apricots and apricots, melon, bananas, beans, potatoes, broccoli, beef liver, milk. An adult should receive about 4-5 g of potassium per day, and a complete daily diet fully satisfies this need.
Potassium is included in vitamin-mineral complex preparations, usually in the form of potassium iodide.
Calcium
Calcium is one of the most famous minerals required by humans. Possible calcium deficiency in the body will be indicated by:
- excited state (increased activity, nervousness, irritability);
- insomnia;
- high blood pressure;
- heartbeat;
- feeling of numbness, tingling sensation and “pins and needles” in certain parts of the body;
- sore and bleeding gums;
- tooth decay;
- fragility of nails;
- eczema.
Women usually begin to worry only when a significant deficiency of this substance has already developed and painful cramps twist their legs at night.
Having heard a lot about calcium, pregnant women often start taking calcium gluconate on their own, but tablets alone are not enough. In order for calcium to be absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and reach its destination - into the cells, vitamin D3 and magnesium are needed. Without them, calcium entering the body becomes useless!
The “consumption” of calcium in the body increases under stress and during pregnancy (after all, now two people “eat” it). Prevent calcium absorption: spinach, sorrel, rhubarb, which contain large quantities of oxalic acid (its soluble salts, reacting with calcium ions, form insoluble, and therefore indigestible, compounds). The absorption of this substance is also reduced by foods high in phosphates (caviar, canned fish, eggs, cheese, green peas, beans, cauliflower), carbonated drinks, cocoa and chocolate. High protein diets also interfere with calcium absorption, and only 15% of the calcium eaten in this situation will be absorbed. But low-protein diets also do not promote the absorption of calcium: in this case, 5% of the total amount eaten enters the human body. Excessive consumption of coffee promotes increased excretion of calcium by the kidneys. A sufficient intake of iron, on the contrary, improves the absorption of calcium.
What foods are sources of calcium? First of all, these are dairy products (from which we get up to 55% calcium); green leafy vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, turnip leaves, cauliflower, asparagus), egg yolks, all kinds of legumes, nuts, figs.
If you take calcium supplements, they will be absorbed more fully if you drink them not on an empty stomach, but after a light meal.
Magnesium
The magnesium content in the body of an adult is about 20 g. This element should be no more and no less - the golden mean, so to speak. An increase in magnesium content in the blood causes drowsiness, lethargy, dry mouth, thirst, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood pressure, and slowed pulse. This condition can occur with severe impairment of renal excretory function, hypothyroidism, and severe complications of diabetes mellitus.
A decrease in magnesium content in the blood is possible with severe and repeated vomiting, significant diarrhea, some other conditions and chronic diseases (hyperfunction of the parathyroid glands, impaired kidney function, cirrhosis of the liver, etc.). A relative lack of magnesium in the body develops with increased consumption even with sufficient intake from food, for example, with excessive neuropsychic and physical activity, during pregnancy and lactation (and also, for example, during the period of active growth in children). In the body of a pregnant woman, the need for magnesium increases by 2-3 times. One of the main reasons for this is that during development the fetus receives magnesium from the mother's body.
Alcohol, caffeine, excess potassium, and some diuretics enhance the excretion of magnesium by the kidneys. The need for magnesium increases due to the high content of proteins, sugar, animal fats, butter in the diet, and uncontrolled intake of certain hormonal drugs.
The consequences of magnesium deficiency are varied and affect both the health of the mother and the health of the child. In a pregnant woman, this condition manifests itself:
- increased neuropsychic excitability (irritability, susceptibility to stress, anxiety, memory impairment, insomnia, asthenia);
- unsteadiness when walking;
- the appearance of a feeling of numbness in the arms and legs, tingling, “crawling”;
- decreased body temperature;
- disorders of the cardiovascular system (arrhythmia, increase or, conversely, drop in blood pressure);
- increased muscle excitability (lower back pain, cramps, increased uterine tone, sometimes even leading to miscarriage).
Magnesium is found in almost all foods. Particularly rich in it are whole seeds, nuts, sunflower seeds, all legumes, green vegetables, carrots, green onions, and spinach. One would expect a high magnesium content in bread, but “thanks to” new technologies - refining - bread loses this mineral.
Replenish magnesium only through food products often fails, and in this situation it is required additional assignment in the form of tablets such as MAGNESIUM-B6 or as part of multivitamin mineral complexes. If you take magnesium tablets, it is best to take them before bed with plenty of water (about a glass) a few hours after meals. Loose stools are a sign that you overdid it with magnesium.
An adult needs to receive approximately 360-380 mg of magnesium every day; pregnant and nursing mothers, as well as adolescents - up to 400-450 mg.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
Violation of its daily intake in itself does not cause seizures, but this vitamin promotes the absorption of magnesium by cells, improves its absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, serves as a conductor for it into the cell, increases the permeability of the cell membrane and fixes magnesium ions inside the cell, preventing its rapid excretion from the body.
Vitamin B6 deficiency manifests itself:
- increased hair loss;
- anemia;
- loss of appetite;
- nausea;
- in the corners of the mouth;
- mouth ulcers;
- depression;
- nervousness, irritability;
- a feeling of numbness in the arms and legs, tingling, and (or) “goosebumps”;
- increased fatigue, muscle weakness, drowsiness.
Dietary sources of B6 include: poultry, beef, pork, veal, beef liver and kidney, tuna, salmon, soybeans, bananas, brewer's yeast, walnuts, peanuts, avocado. But, alas, we have to reckon with the fact that when cooking meat, the loss of this vitamin will be from 50 to 70%, grinding wheat causes losses from 50 to 90%, and frozen vegetables and fruits are depleted by 15-70% of vitamin B6.
Alcohol consumption and smoking also contribute to pyridoxine deficiency.
Other causes of seizures
- Frequently recurring cramps in expectant mothers can also occur with severe anemia - a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin.
- Sometimes cramps in the calf muscles can appear against the background of developing varicose veins. At the same time, they are combined with increased fatigue and a feeling of heaviness in the legs, which quickly increases throughout the day, especially if you have to stand for a long time. In some patients, all these signs precede the appearance of visible varicose veins. With varicose veins, the outflow of venous blood from the legs worsens, which disrupts the nutrition of muscles, including the calf muscles, causes an imbalance of microelements and leads to cramps.
- In the third trimester, especially when multiple pregnancy, cramps in the legs may occur against the background of inferior vena cava syndrome, in which, when a woman lies on her back or on her right side, the enlarged uterus compresses the inferior vena cava, which causes a violation of the venous outflow from the legs. And further mechanisms for the development of seizures resemble the processes that occur with varicose veins of the legs. To prevent manifestations of inferior vena cava syndrome, a woman should sleep on her left side or with a small pillow under her right buttock to redistribute the weight of the enlarged uterus on the left side of the body and thereby reduce its pressure on the inferior vena cava, located to the right of the spine.
First aid for seizures
To relieve a mild calf muscle cramp, you can:
- with force, even through pain, slowly pull the toes of the clamped foot toward you;
- rub the stiff muscle, pinch it, scratch it, etc.;
- massage your foot by squeezing and straightening your toes;
- grab your big toe and pull it towards you;
- put mustard plaster on the hardened muscle, place it under a hot (as hot as the skin can tolerate) local shower.
- When the pain subsides, you need to walk around to improve blood circulation.
To prevent cramps, you can massage your feet, take a contrast shower, and wear wool socks at night.
Cramps can be symptoms of various diseases, including serious complications of pregnancy. Therefore, if they occur, you should definitely consult a doctor: he will determine the specific cause and select the necessary medications.
Pregnancy makes its own adjustments to the levels of vitamins, micro- and macroelements necessary for its development; she immediately punishes with various ailments for violating the “sphere of her interests.” Therefore, you should not leave everything to chance, hiding behind sayings like “maybe it will blow away.” No, it won't! Once occurring, metabolic disorders will haunt the woman throughout pregnancy like a sword of Damocles. Moreover, they will not slow down to have an impact - alas, not in the best possible way- on the course of childbirth, and then - on the growth and development of the child. And this is true not only for the considered problem of night cramps and related elements, but also for all parts of metabolism. Therefore, first of all, be careful about what you eat.
Your diet should be complete in micro- and macroelements, vitamins and essential amino acids. The foods listed in the article, rich in certain substances, must be present on your table. Do not neglect vitamin-mineral complex preparations: they are specially selected taking into account the increased needs of a pregnant woman and contain sufficient quantities of all the necessary vitamins and microelements, including those discussed above. Your doctor will help you choose the right diet and vitamin therapy.
Based on materials from the magazine “Pregnancy. From conception to childbirth" No. 3/2006
An involuntary sharp, strong, painful contraction of a muscle is called a cramp. It is impossible to remove it by force of will; subsequently the muscle hurts for 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 are most often affected, usually at night.
Deficiency Causes Help glycerin
Reduces pain during pregnancy at the doctor
During pregnancy there is discomfort
Causes of cramps in pregnant women
There is a group of diseases for which seizures are one of the symptoms, appearing during pregnancy. They are associated with metabolic disorders. Fortunately, they are found relatively rarely. More often the reasons are more prosaic.
- Lack of microelements.
- Decreased hemoglobin.
- Changes in blood glucose levels.
- Dehydration.
- Varicose veins.
- Compression of the inferior vena cava.
Muscle tissue is forced to contract sharply when the ionic balance of the cell and pericellular fluid is disrupted. The leading role belongs to specific substances. Not only during pregnancy, their deficiency leads to cramps.
The main reason is a lack of certain microelements in the blood
Lack of these microelements in the blood is the main cause of nighttime muscle contractions. Here is a list of them according to the prevalence of manifestations:
- magnesium - its deficiency is manifested by muscle pain, changes in blood pressure, irritability, insomnia, numbness, decreased body temperature; a particular danger lies in the possible increase in uterine tone;
- potassium - a decrease in its amount affects depression, increased fatigue, cramps during pregnancy at night, dehydration, constipation;
- calcium - if there is not enough of it, teeth and gums are destroyed, blood pressure rises, nervous disorders appear, nails become brittle, and eczema may develop.
Various conditions can cause changes in the content of microelements:
- severe toxicosis - not only does the body lose useful substances when vomiting, the lack of appetite leads to the inability to replenish them, which is why during pregnancy the leg often cramps;
- unauthorized use of diuretics - along with the liquid, they remove essential microelements;
- poor nutrition – everything is important, from the wrong combination of foods to the food intake.
The lack of nutrients has a particularly strong effect during pregnancy due to the increased need for them, which causes leg cramps.
The same reasons lead to a decrease in hemoglobin and glucose in the blood. Sugar levels directly depend on diet, provided 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 lack of drinking that leads to dehydration. Water is actively removed from the body under the influence of caffeine and nicotine.
The causes of exercise-related leg cramps during pregnancy are usually easy to determine by the nature of the woman’s work. The need to stand or walk all the time, as well as prolonged work in a sitting position, can have an effect.
Appearances due to excessive work
The last reason - compression of the vena cava - is associated with an enlarged uterus. This vein is located underneath it; a certain position of the body leads to disruption of the outflow of blood.
There is a certain dependence of the frequency of causes of seizures during pregnancy on its duration. The lack of substances manifests itself in the middle, since this is when the fetus is actively growing. In the first months it is often associated with toxicosis and poor nutrition.
Increased load, varicose veins, compression of the vena cava are more common in recent months. This is due to the woman’s increased body weight.
Methods of helping a woman
Be sure to tell your doctor if you experience 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. Based on the nature of the accompanying symptoms, blood tests, and 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 experience cramps during pregnancy. They appear more often at night, when the doctor is not around, and cause severe pain. There are proven and absolutely safe means help that relieves pain in just a few seconds or prevents it altogether.
Many people find brine, for example, from a jar of cucumbers, helpful. Just one or two sips quickly cause muscle relaxation.
If leg cramps occur at night during pregnancy, you can keep a bar of soap in bed. Doctors cannot yet explain the effect of a remedy tested by many people. But glycerin, which is one of the ingredients in soap, has been found to help. Therefore, you can buy a bottle and lubricate your feet with a few drops at night.
Glycerin to the rescue
The lingering pain can be relieved by simple and completely safe actions:
- stand on the cold floor with your entire foot;
- place your straight leg against the wall so that your leg is perpendicular to your body;
- pull the big toe towards you, you need to do this even through pain, you can do it with your hand, belt, towel, sheet;
- a risky but helpful remedy for many is to prick the muscle with a needle;
- massage, rub, scratch the muscle;
- apply a hot heating pad, a bottle of water, and pour it from the shower.
Cramps in the calves themselves do not pose any particular danger during pregnancy. But there are additional signs indicating the possibility of a dangerous condition that require immediate medical attention.
- The condition does not improve and constantly recurs.
- A feeling of numbness appears (in any part of the body).
- Edema and swelling occur.
In addition to the main cause, cramps during pregnancy can be eliminated with massage, exercises, and with the permission of a doctor, various ointments and gels can be used.
| Name | Action | Average cost in Russia |
| Troxerutin (Troxevasin) | Increases the strength of cell walls, reducing their permeability. This not only helps relieve swelling, but also reduces the likelihood of seizures. | 200 rub. |
| Venitan | Reduces pain, helping during pregnancy to quickly eliminate the consequences of too strong cramps in the calf muscles. | 250 rub. |
| Heparin ointment | Used only for medical prescription for the treatment of varicose veins. | 80 rub. |
| Fastum-gel | Used with doctor's permission. Increases blood flow to the muscles, warming them. | 220 rub. |
For quick help, use Venitan
Massage and exercise help improve blood circulation in the muscles. This brings tangible benefits for this condition. If leg cramps appear at night during pregnancy, it is better to do massage or exercises before bed.
Massage movements are very simple - you need to rub and knead the muscle. They move towards its center. You shouldn’t put in too much effort so as not to cause harm. The sufficient effect is a feeling of warmth, which indicates increased blood flow.
Gymnastics for calf cramps during pregnancy can be as follows:
- stand on your toes a dozen times, it’s best to do several approaches throughout the day;
- lunges forward, alternately with each leg, is a muscle stretching exercise;
- stand facing the wall, lean on your palms, slowly step back with your feet, making sure that your body does not move.
Pathology prevention measures
Knowing why leg cramps cramp, it is quite possible to avoid their occurrence during pregnancy. The doctor may prescribe special medications with magnesium, potassium and calcium. You also need to follow simple rules.
- Wear comfortable shoes, heels no higher than 5 cm.
- Sleep under a spacious blanket.
- If there is increased load on the legs, perform gymnastics.
- If you have varicose veins, wear compression stockings or tights, rest with your legs elevated.
- When calf muscle cramps are associated with compression of the inferior vena cava, it is better to sleep on your left side during pregnancy.
- Avoid smoking, caffeinated drinks, and black tea. You can replace it with herbal infusions, compotes, juices.
- A warm evening foot bath with sea salt helps a lot.
Monitoring nutrition, physical activity, and enough walks is everyone’s responsibility. expectant mother. There are cases when, after introducing all the necessary products into the diet and switching during pregnancy to frequent meals in small quantities, the cramps in the calves at night stopped altogether. This particularly illustrates the fact that the human body is almost completely dependent on what it eats.
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The information published on the website is for informational purposes only and is intended for informational purposes only. Site visitors should not use them as medical advice! The site editors do not recommend self-medication. Determining the diagnosis and choosing a treatment method remains the exclusive prerogative of your attending physician! Remember that only complete diagnosis and therapy under the supervision of a doctor will help you completely get rid of the disease!
Convulsions- These are involuntary muscle contractions. Pregnant women most often experience cramps in the calf muscles (calf muscles); less often, other muscles of the legs, arms, and neck may spasm. During a cramp, a woman feels a strong, sharp pain in the muscle, mainly occurring at night during sleep or in the morning when waking up.
Information The most severe muscle spasms during pregnancy appear in the second trimester, when the fetus is actively growing and its nutritional needs increase.
Causes of cramps during pregnancy
Main reasons The appearance of muscle spasms in pregnant women are:
- Decreased micronutrient levels in the mother's body (potassium, magnesium) and vitamins(mainly vitamin B);
- Decreased glucose levels(sugar) in the blood. Glucose is the main energy source for the body; during pregnancy, it is intensively spent on the needs of the mother and the growing fetus. A pronounced lack of glucose occurs with rare and large meals, so pregnant women are advised to eat often, but in small portions;
- Decreased hemoglobin levels in the blood;
- Varicose veins. During pregnancy, increased blood flow in the pelvis increases the load on the veins of the lower extremities. Due to deterioration of blood circulation in the veins, muscle nutrition is disrupted, which is a favorable background for the development of seizures;
- Inferior vena cava syndrome(observed only in the third trimester). When a woman lies in a supine position for a long time, the large uterus puts pressure on the inferior vena cava. In this regard, there is a violation of venous circulation and, consequently, a violation of the nutrition of the calf muscles;
- . When smoking 10 or more cigarettes per day, chronic oxygen deficiency develops, which has a negative effect on the condition of the muscles;
- Consuming more and other caffeinated drinks (provokes muscle tension and cramps).
First aid for seizures
If an attack of convulsions occurs, it is necessary:
- Try not to panic breathe deeply and calmly;
- Pull your toes towards you several times (repeat until muscle pain decreases);
- Carefully massage the muscle from the periphery to the center, so as not to provoke a new attack;
- Lie down with your legs raised up to improve blood circulation in the calf muscle.
Treatment of seizures in pregnant women
If cramps occur, you must immediately notify the obstetrician-gynecologist in charge of the pregnancy. If necessary, the doctor will prescribe additional diagnostic measures (biochemical blood test, blood test for glucose, general analysis blood, etc.) and consultations with specialists (therapist, surgeon).
Treatment for seizures depends on the cause that causes them. Yes, when lack of microelements and vitamins in the body, therapy will consist of normalizing nutrition and taking a complex of multivitamins to normalize their deficiency:
- Normalization of potassium levels in the body. The richest in potassium are bananas, potatoes, broccoli, and beef liver. If there is insufficient intake of potassium from food, drug treatment is prescribed: Asparkam,;
- Replenishment of calcium deficiency. This microelement is found in larger quantities in dairy products, green vegetables (cauliflower, asparagus, broccoli), beans, eggs, and nuts. From medicines most often used during pregnancy;
- Increasing the amount of magnesium in the body. Magnesium is found in many foods (seeds, nuts, legumes, greens, carrots, buckwheat porridge). Drug treatment includes reception.
To maintain sufficient level of glucose in the body a pregnant woman is prescribed fractional meals. The basis of the daily diet should be complex carbohydrates (brown bread, cereals, pasta, fruits and vegetables). You should avoid taking simple carbohydrates (sweets, cakes), because. with a large intake of sugar from the outside, the level of glucose in the blood drops, which leads to severe cramps.
With severe anemia treatment consists of taking iron supplements (for example,), which normalize the level of hemoglobin in the blood. light stroking from the feet to the thigh;
