Why it reduces legs during pregnancy - cramps in the legs

The period of pregnancy is a time that not only pleases, but also worries, requires a woman's attention to herself, responsibility and patience. Perestroika in the body is the cause of such phenomena that are unknown to a woman, which is why they are alarming and even frightening. It is important to remember the main thing - nothing is irreparable, so panic is not for us.

Sometimes a pregnant woman experiences unexpected pain in her legs, which often overtakes her in a dream. Unable to do anything not only from surprise, but also from ignorance of the nature of what is happening, a woman is forced to endure courageously until the pain ceases. Finally waking up, a woman understands - it's a cramp. It is accompanied by severe pain because the muscle is sharply reduced and does not rush to relax. It often happens that such a reduction slowly grabs nearby muscle areas, as if moving around. Such a spasm is called "wandering".It is capable of even more puzzling, if not to say - to frighten the faint.

Convulsive contractions are well known not only to professional swimmers, but also to people who dip into the cool water of rivers and other water bodies. The reason in this case is the reaction of the body to a sharp temperature drop. In a warm bed of a pregnant woman, there are hardly such temperature jumps. What is the reason then? What happens in the muscles and what causes such severe pain?

Causes of convulsive pain

Just to say that during pregnancy and the successful development of the fetus, seizures do not have a negative effect, unless the expectant mother gives in to panic because she does not know why she reduces her legs during pregnancy.

In terms of the mechanism of seizures - the greatest pain arises from the arbitrary reduction of the gastrocnemius muscle or muscles of the toes. If the causes of seizures are studied more deeply, then their nature is caused by a metabolic disorder in the body, which affects the interrelation of muscles and nerves. And this is one of the main causes of seizures.

• A pregnant woman is never alone. Especially during a meal. Everything that she eats is divided into two. An infant in her womb also needs vitamins, trace elements and other nutrients that he receives through his mother's placenta. Therefore, in her body, there may be shortages of useful substances for some time. Significant violation of the balance of minerals in the body of a pregnant woman often occurs in two periods: the first trimester - a period of pronounced toxicosis with a decrease in appetite, vomiting( useless consumption of nutrients);second and third trimesters - with the active growth and formation of parts of the fetal body( useful expenditure).In these periods, the consumption or loss of trace elements is sharply increased. The balance of minerals will be considered disturbed if the content of potassium, calcium and magnesium in the blood is below normal, and sodium and phosphate levels are above normal. One should not allow a lack of vitamin "B" in food, which also leads to convulsive muscle contractions.
• As the fetus increases in size, the pressure of the increasing uterus of the pregnant woman on the lower vena cava and the pelvic vessels increases. As a result, the outflow of blood in the veins of the legs is disturbed. And this is another reason for cramps.
• Developed flat feet strengthens the load on the legs, on the veins of the legs, which can also lead to spasms.
• Sometimes pregnancy is accompanied by swelling of different parts of the body. In such cases, the use of diuretics is indicated. The withdrawal of excess fluid from the body inevitably leads to the conclusion of useful trace elements. And their deficiency, as we know, leads to seizures.
• During pregnancy, the function of the parathyroid gland, responsible for maintaining the balance of calcium in the body, may malfunction, in which case a painful muscle contraction occurs.
• The cause of seizures can also be a decrease in blood sugar, which is accompanied by an improper diet.
• Coffee-containing drinks can also cause convulsive muscle contractions - coffee and tea stimulate the work of muscles, which means they keep them in suspense.
• Smoking is another reason for convulsive contractions of calf calves due to the fact that it causes oxygen deficiency of the body that affects the condition of the muscles.

How to avoid the appearance of convulsions in the legs

For the replenishment of the body with minerals in the diet, it is useful to include cheeses, dairy products( 55% calcium), sesame. You can replenish the reserves of potassium thanks to bananas, dried apricots, potatoes, beans. Magnesium developing in the womb will receive a child, if his mother will eat buckwheat, nuts, carrots, spinach, will add to the dishes greens, green onions.

Not always the most correct diet can restore the disturbed balance in the body. This can always be achieved with the help of a vitamin-mineral complex in tablets, intended for lactating or pregnant women.

To reduce the likelihood of seizures, for longer periods of pregnancy it is preferable to sleep on the left side to soften the pressure of the uterus.

The likelihood of seizures increases significantly if the pregnant woman has varicose veins or if it develops. It will help in such situations to wear special tights or golfs supporting the veins on the legs or use of safe lotions and foot creams. Useful foot massages, foot baths with sea salt, which minimize any stagnant phenomena in the vessels, often characteristic during pregnancy.

It is worthwhile to beware of the violation of blood circulation through the veins and the prolonged strain of the leg muscles when wearing narrow or uncomfortable shoes, especially on high heels. Cramps in these cases are quite expected. It is better to refuse such footwear at once.

Late suppers and long periods of time between abundant meals should be avoided.

How to get rid of the pain?

Muscle pain with convulsive contraction will stop if you force the muscles to relax. This can be achieved if you restore the right circulation in your limbs. Blood will deliver to the muscle the missing minerals, the cramp stop. Overcoming pain, you should carefully and necessarily gently pull your toes on yourself. Then gently release and again do the same several times. To try to walk, to transfer weight of a body on heels, to roll from foot on a heel.

Spasm decreases if the muscle is warmed, which means it activates the blood circulation. To do this, the back of the calf( calf muscle) should be massaged( from the edges to the center) or watered the leg with warm water( 40 ° C).

Together with him you will know exactly why he reduces his legs during pregnancy, and the necessary treatment will be prescribed and surely success will be achieved in overcoming this extremely painful phenomenon.