“What Can I Do About Leg Cramps During Pregnancy?”

What Can I Do About Leg Cramps During Pregnancy?

During each of my pregnancies I often found myself lying awake at night as my legs pulsated in and out of pain. Leg cramping is just one of many common pregnancy complaints that keep many pregnant women awake during the wee hours of the night. Fortunately if you do experience leg cramps during pregnancy, you can take steps to help alleviate your pain and promote a good night’s rest.

I often found the quickest relief came from some light stretching, use of a heating pad or warm shower and use of a body pillow or maternity pillow at night to support my lower back and legs. This also helped alleviate some swelling and helped me relax just enough to get some sleep.

Read on to find out more about leg cramps during pregnancy and steps you can take to help reduce the discomfort associated with them and related conditions.

How Common Are Leg Cramps During Pregnancy?
Many women experience uncomfortable leg cramps during pregnancy. This is usually a side effect of gaining a few extra pounds during pregnancy. Carrying around an unborn baby is no easy task, and does take its toll on our bodies in small and unique ways.

Leg cramps are a common side effect of pregnancy often beginning some time during the second trimester. Many women find them most severe during the third trimester. Leg cramps often get worse as the uterus continues to expand placing more pressure on the blood vessels returning blood from the legs to the heart.

Leg cramps may occur during the day, but most women report they are worse at night when they are trying to rest and relax.

Causes and Treatments for Leg Cramps During Pregnancy
Your expanding uterus is most likely the cause of your leg camps. Other contributing factors may include fatigue associated with carrying around the extra weight of your baby. Most women will realize their legs start cramping more toward the late second and early third trimester.

Some tips for preventing leg cramps include consuming enough calcium and potassium during pregnancy, though there are no definitive studies suggesting that added calcium and potassium will eliminate cramping entirely. Practical tips for alleviating leg cramps include:

•  Limiting the amount of time you spend standing or sitting.
•  Avoid crossing your legs for long periods during the day.
•  Stretching your calves and leg muscles daily.
•  Try a prenatal yoga class that can help stretch muscles.
•  Walk or get some other form of mild exercise daily to help strengthen legs and promote better circulation.
•  Drink adequate fluid and water during the day. Dehydration can contribute to leg cramping.
•  Stretch your legs when cramping.
•  Try lying in bed at night and elevating your legs.
•  Apply a heating pad to your legs to help alleviate cramping.

In rare situations a leg cramp may be a sign of a more severe problem. If you develop a sudden cramp accompanied by tenderness or swelling in your leg, seek the advice of your doctor immediately. This may be a sign of a blood clot requiring immediate attention.

Other times women will experience leg cramps in conjunction with a condition called sciatica during pregnancy. Sciatica pain typically involves a sharp or aching pain in the lower back and buttock that sometimes travels down to the leg and calf. This pain is often relieved with a heating pad or exercises, though some women find Tylenol works well to help alleviate the pain. In some cases your doctor may recommend physical therapy if the pain associated with sciatica is especially debilitating.

The good news is leg cramping and pain associated with sciatica is temporary and often resolves itself within a few weeks after delivery.