Calf cramps often occur after pregnancy, especially in pregnant women who are more than five months pregnant. Symptoms often occur during sleep and calf cramps when you wake up. So what should pregnant women do if they often have calf cramps? In response to this problem, the editor below will analyze it for everyone:
1. Causes of calf cramps:
1. Lack of calcium in the body. It is known that all the calcium needed for fetal bone growth depends on the pregnant mother. Therefore, pregnant mothers must ensure that their daily calcium intake is around 12,001,500 mg. If maternal calcium intake is insufficient, hypocalcemia can result. Calcium is an important factor in regulating muscle contraction, cell division and glandular secretion. Low calcium increases neuromuscular excitability, causing muscle contraction and subsequent cramping. Because blood calcium levels tend to be lower at night than during the day, cramps tend to occur at night.
2. Walking too much or standing for too long during pregnancy will increase the burden on the leg muscles, leading to the accumulation of local acidic metabolites and causing muscle spasms. However, don\’t think that more sleep is better. Sleeping for too long will slow down blood circulation, accumulate carbon dioxide and other metabolic wastes, and may also induce muscle spasms.
3. Cold factors, such as low room temperature at night in winter, the quilt being covered when sleeping is too thin or the legs and feet are exposed outside the quilt; or the sleeping posture is incorrect, such as lying on your back for a long time, the quilt is pressed on the feet, or the feet are pressed against the bed, causing blood circulation Poor circulation is also the cause of cramps.
2. What should pregnant women do if they often have calf cramps?
If you have calf cramps, stretch your calf muscles immediately: Straighten your legs and, starting from your heels, slowly hook your toes toward your shins (the long bones on the inside of your lower legs). Although it may be painful at first, doing so will lessen the cramping and the pain will gradually subside. You can try massaging your muscles or using a hot compress from a bottle of hot water to relax cramped muscles. Walking back and forth for a few minutes may also help relieve calf cramps.
If you don\’t experience occasional calf cramps but have frequent muscle pain, or if your legs are swollen or tender, you should see your doctor. This may be a sign of venous blood clots in the lower extremities that require immediate treatment. Although blood clots are rare, the risk is slightly higher during pregnancy.
3. Prevent calf cramps in pregnant women:
Even if you don\’t have calf cramps yet, it\’s a good idea to take steps to prevent them from happening. You can try the following:
Avoid standing or sitting cross-legged for long periods of time.
Stretch your calf muscles frequently during the day and a few times before bed.
Roll your ankles and wiggle your toes while sitting, eating, or watching TV.
Go for a walk every day unless your doctor advises you not to exercise.
Avoid excessive fatigue. Lie on your left side to improve blood circulation in your legs.
Drink water frequently during the day to stay hydrated.
Take a hot bath before going to bed,Relax your muscles.
There is some evidence that taking a calcium-magnesium preparation with pregnancy vitamins can help some pregnant women with calf cramps. But check with your doctor first, as any supplement during pregnancy should be approved by your doctor.