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Gas and Leg Cramps
Gas
Excess gas in the digestive system can be painful (when it's trapped in the body) and embarrassing when it's finally released. Whichever way it's released - from the mouth or from below - it's hard to mask. Try to get over the 'social embarrassment' aspect of it. You've got a human being pressing into your digestive system. An entire human being. At least you've got an excuse. What excuse does your brother have for his thunderous outbursts? None. You, dear mother, are excused.
What else makes you gassy when you're pregnant?
Watch your diet and see if you experience gas pains or if you're a little "louder" some days. If you notice a difference from one day to the next, you may just be more sensitive to certain foods right now. If it's only a handful of foods that affect you, that's simple enough to fix. Lima beans giving you trouble? Put them on hold until baby is born. Problem solved.
What else makes you gassy? Remember those hormones that slowed down your digestive system? Slower digestion is often the cause of excess gas. But that's still something you control. Boost your metabolism and speed up digestion with lifestyle changes like adding some regular exercise to the daily routine.
When will the problem go away?
There's no pretty way to say this. For many moms, the bigger the baby grows, the gassier mom gets. The key to surviving these gassy moments during your pregnancy is by maintaining your dignity. Remain calm, crack a tasteful joke, rub your belly and smile. Keep things in perspective. It's just gas and everyone - from heads of state to fashion models - gets gassy. You just have more of it than you're used to right now.
Comebacks For Gassy Moms-To-Be
- Ooops, the baby's a little gassy today.
- (look around confused) Did somebody step on a duck?
- I'm just practicing to burp Junior.
- She wants to be an opera singer.
- His little legs are always kicking me after I've eaten.
- Excuse me, my baby didn't like the pastrami I had for lunch.
- Thank you for dinner, it was lovely. Hear how much we both enjoyed it?
Of course, you should always use your manners. Say "excuse me" then be done with it.
Leg Cramps
Charley horses, stitches, cramps, spasms, whatever you call the painful and unpredictable pains that many pregnant women feel in the calves, they hurt - a lot. They're sudden, and they are all-consuming.
Some women feel leg cramps after sitting for long periods of time. Others feel them more when in bed at night. Whenever and wherever they're felt, they're very painful and even more annoying.
The good news is that they disappear just as quickly as they appear. While muscles cramp up, that minute or two seems like a longer, but a cramp generally lasts just a minute or two. Then it's usually over for a day or two. Two minutes of occasional cramp pain in exchange for a lifetime of hugs and kisses from your child is definitely worth it.
Why do the calf muscles cramp up? Sometimes it's the way you're sitting, sometime it's just plain old muscle fatigue. The fact is modern medicine doesn't offer a precise answer, but they are a fact of pregnant life for many woman.
If you experience persistent cramping of the calf (more than a few minutes per day), talk to your doctor.
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