Pregnancy Tips

A painful side effect of pregnancy can be the nightly leg cramps. What causes pregnancy leg cramps?

When pregnant, our bodies go through a major metamorphosis and the additional weight our legs must bare can have an impact on muscles and you can have sciatic pain and femur pain as well. Leg cramps can happen at night due to many factors such as the weight gain, dehydration, poor circulation and vitamin deficiencies. By dealing with circulation, eating well and getting some help from your spouse, you can reduce the chances of having these pains which disturb your much needed rest.

Pregnancy and Vitamins

Be sure you take your prenatal vitamins during pregnancy. Getting enough calcium, magnesium and potassium can reduce the chances of painful leg cramps. Eating a daily banana can increase your potassium levels and reduce the chance of painful muscle spasms like leg cramping.

Hydration

Many pregnant women avoid having a drink before bed to reduce nighttime waking to urinate but dehydration can cause problems with muscles and increase your chances of having leg cramps.

Circulation

If you suffer from repeated problems with leg cramps and other aches and pains, consider taking a nightly bath and soaking with witch hazel which can help with swelling and circulation.

Leg Cramp Exercises

Before you retire lay in bed and raise one leg and flex your toes several times. Then rotate ankles clockwise and counterclockwise about ten times each. Then do the other leg.

A combination of all of the above can help you feel better during pregnancy and reduce the likelihood of night wakings with excruciating leg pain.

Don’t take any type of the additional supplements, the drugs or remedies of sweet herbs without checking with your doctor initially to ensure their safety.

Take Care

If there was ever a time to indulge in a little extra pampering and care, this is the time. Since your body needs sufficient rest to worry during this little about life inside, don’t skimp on your sleep during the pregnancy. Take time to exercise, even if it is a walk moderately trained around the neighborhood at night. This will help to maintain your body in the form during the pregnancy and to prepare it for the work of work and delivery that lies ahead.