Dealing with Pregnancy Pains

Leg cramps got you down?

Some women get leg cramps when they are pregnant. Nobody knows why. Some say it’s because of the extra weight the mother is carrying around all day. Others believe the cramps are a result of the expanding uterus straining the flow of blood from the legs to the heart, as well as the nerves.

It’s not like you’re getting that much sleep to begin with, and then you have to deal with leg cramps waking you up. Pregnancy is supposed to be a beautiful time when you are bonding with your baby. There are ways to deal with leg cramps and still have a relaxing pregnancy.

Reasons for leg cramps

Dehydration
Fatigue
Tight muscles
Sitting or standing too long during the day
Uterus pressing against your sciatic nerve

Ways to prevent leg cramps

Relax your muscles by taking a warm bath
Drink plenty of fluids, like water, throughout the day to keep from getting dehydrated
Do not cross your legs while sitting
Do not stand for too long
Stretch your legs while sitting by slowly point, then flex your feet or rotate your feet/wiggle your toes
Unless your health care practitioners has said not to, take a walk every day
Ask your health care practitioner about supplements, like magnesium
Eat and drink foods that are high in calcium, like cheese, milk and broccoli
Make sure your shoes are comfortable
Support hose might help, but make sure they are not too tight
Lay on your left side for better circulation
Massage the cramp or apply a warm compress to the area
Put your feet up

Call your health care practitioner if your leg(s) become swollen, warm to the touch, tender, or constant pain and not just a cramp, as you may have a blood clot. Although rare, your pregnancy puts you at high risk for them, and if it’s a blood clot, you need medical attention right away.

Leg cramps are a pain, but they don’t have to be a part of your wonderful memories of being pregnant. For information on coping with labor pains without meds, read http://www.painrelief101.com/natural-health-treatments/finding-comfort-from-labor-pains.htm.