Pregnancy Cramps

Pregnancy Cramps is a common complaint during pregnancy. Learn how to alleviate cramping during pregnancy especially leg cramps.

Cramps are a sudden pain in the thigh, calf, and/or foot, followed by a general ache that lasts for some time. They tend to be more common in the third trimester, and usually waken you from sleep.

I remember waking up in the middle of the night, yelping in pain many times during my first pregnancy. After I realized that eating bananas helped a lot because the fruit is high in potassium, it became a regular part of my diet (but don't overdo it!).

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Cause of Cramping during pregnancy

Leg cramps in pregnancy are thought to be caused by low calcium levels in the blood, or they may be due to salt deficiency. Please check with your doctor.

My gynaecologist also thought it was due to calcium being leeched out to supply the baby that caused leg cramping during early pregnancy.

Treatment for Pregnancy Leg Cramps

Massage the area very firmly. Flex your foot up and push into the heel. (I found this particularly effective against the excruciating pain). Carefully make circling movements with your lower leg. This should relieve pregnancy cramping in the leg.

You may be prescribed calcium or salt tablets if your level are low, but don't self-prescribe without first consulting your doctor.

Important Tip : Remember to take your pre natal vitamins. I have always taken calcium in soft gel form (it is in liquid form for better absorption) even when I wasn't pregnant. After 20 years old, women start to experience bone density loss. That is why it is essential that girls eat a lot of high calcium food in their growing years, drink lots of milk and exercise as that helps them build bone density. Sometimes the minor bone aches and pains we experience is actually due to a lack of calcium. The pain miraculously disappears when there is sufficient calcium consumed.

Pregnancy Cramping in the leg poses no risk to the baby.

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