What causes leg cramps during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, a woman's body will undergo a series of changes, such as gingival hyperplasia, endometrial hyperplasia, swollen and painful gums, varicose veins in the lower limbs, edema, etc. In addition, pregnant women often suffer from leg cramps. During pregnancy, some pregnant women are very prone to leg cramps. Then let's take a look at the following: What is the cause of leg cramps during the seventh month of pregnancy?

What is the reason for leg cramps in seven months of pregnancy?

1. Lack of nutrition. Excessive diet leads to excessive protein intake, which affects the metabolism of carbohydrates, causes the deposition of acid and alkaline metabolites, and causes hypocalcemia. One of the main manifestations of hypocalcemia is leg cramps.

2. Often stand for long periods of time. Walking too much or standing for too long during pregnancy will increase the activity of the leg muscles, increase the pressure on the thigh muscles, and cause some acid and alkaline metabolic substances to accumulate, which will cause muscle cramps.

3. Poor sleeping posture. Bad sleeping posture, lying flat for a long time, making the mattress press on the soles of the feet, or lying on the side for a long time, making the soles of the feet against the bed, causing some calf muscles to be in a state of relative relaxation for a long time, which is easy to cause leg cramps.

4. Lack of calcium in the human body. After pregnancy, the baby's nutritional needs increase, especially the absorption of calcium, especially in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, the daily calcium requirement increases to 1200 mg. If the diet is insufficient in calcium and vitamin D or lacks sunlight, the calcium deficiency will be aggravated, thereby increasing the fluid regulation of muscles and nerves. The blood potassium level at night is lower than that during the day, so leg cramps often occur at night.

What to do if you have leg cramps in late pregnancy

During pregnancy, the weight of pregnant women will continue to increase, and the pressure on the feet of pregnant women will also increase, causing the thigh muscles to be in a state of fatigue. In addition, the amount of calcium consumed by pregnant women is relatively large. If calcium is not supplied in time, leg cramps are very likely to occur, especially when sleeping at night. "Leg cramps" are medically known as leg cramps. They are characterized by a sudden, severe and involuntary contraction of one or more muscles in the foot, which becomes very stiff and painful. Although leg cramps only last a few minutes, muscle pain or tenderness can last for hours after they occur. Leg cramps are a mild condition, but can be fatal when they cause injury. Especially during pregnancy, leg cramps are undoubtedly a torture to pregnant women. So how can pregnant women relieve leg cramps in their feet? When pregnant women experience leg cramps in their feet, don't be afraid of the pain. At this time, straighten your calves. After about five or six minutes, the pain symptoms will subside. You can try massaging the leg cramps for about 10 minutes and the pain symptoms will subside. If the symptoms of pain still exist, pregnant women can help massage the feet and soles of their feet to completely relax the muscles in the feet, and the pain will be relieved. If leg cramps occur frequently and repeatedly, they are most likely caused by a calcium deficiency. During pregnancy, pregnant women should eat more foods rich in calcium. Shrimp skin, fish, chicken soup and other foods rich in calcium can be added to the diet.

The body's nutritional value is good, and of course leg cramps are likely to be reduced. Pregnant women should also pay attention to rest and avoid excessive exercise. Leg cramps can easily occur if the muscles are under excessive tension and are not given breaks, especially in late pregnancy when pregnant women are unable to move themselves, which can reduce walking time.