Generality
Cramps in pregnancy constitute a rather common disorder, which tends to occur especially during the last trimester of gestation.
Normally, cramps tend to disappear within a few minutes and are not considered a serious disorder; however, this does not take away from the fact that they are annoying and that they can negatively influence the daily life of the expectant mother.
Causes
The main causes of cramps in pregnancy are essentially the electrolyte imbalances and the reduced venous circulation that are created in this particular period of the woman's life.
In fact, during pregnancy, the woman may find herself with a deficit of very important mineral salts, such as potassium and magnesium, but also sodium, calcium and phosphorus.
In addition to this, in the pregnant woman there is a slowing down of the blood circulation (in particular, the venous circulation), due to the high levels of progesterone present in her body. Furthermore, even the gradual increase in women's body weight helps to hinder blood circulation in the lower limbs.
Treatment
As mentioned, usually, cramps tend to self-cancel within minutes. In some cases, to relieve pain and help it disappear, it can be useful to stretch the muscle or the muscles affected by the cramp, also performing a massage to try to reactivate the blood circulation in the affected area.
If cramps during pregnancy occur during the night, however, it can be useful to get out of bed and take a few steps.
Normally, it is preferred to avoid taking a drug therapy for the treatment of cramps during pregnancy. Rather, if deemed necessary, the doctor may decide to prescribe the administration of food supplements to restore normal levels of mineral salts.
Finally, the doctor could also advise the expectant mother to use graduated compression stockings : medical devices indicated to favor the return of venous blood to the heart, therefore to improve blood circulation in the lower limbs.
However, if cramps occur during pregnancy, it is always good to contact your doctor and refrain from performing any kind of self-diagnosis and self-therapy, so as to avoid exposing yourself and the fetus to potential and unnecessary health risks.
Useful Tips for Prevention
To try to prevent - or at least reduce - the frequency of cramps during pregnancy, it is first of all essential to adopt a healthy diet that allows to increase the levels of mineral salts of which the pregnant women are typically lacking. In this regard, it can be very useful to consume foods rich in potassium, magnesium and calcium, such as dairy products, bananas, green leafy vegetables, legumes, cereals and dried fruit.
In addition to proper nutrition, cramps in pregnancy can also be prevented by following some simple tips, such as:
- Drink plenty of water to avoid any dehydration;
- Practice moderate and regular physical activity, which is adapted to the conditions of the expectant mother. Swimming is often recommended, but even a simple walk (especially in the morning and before going to sleep) can contribute greatly to promoting blood circulation;
- Perform muscle stretching exercises;
- Avoid staying in the sun for too long, or in any case in very hot places;
- Avoid getting tired while standing for long periods of time and avoid sitting for too long;
- Wear low (but not flat) shoes that are comfortable and do not compress your foot, ankle or calf too much;
- Before going to bed, perform a cold leg massage;
- Sleep with your feet slightly raised above the rest of your body.
Finally, even hot baths and foot baths could prove to be useful allies to promote muscle relaxation and thus prevent the onset of cramps during pregnancy.
