Cramps during Pregnancy
Among the myriad of difficulties that expecting mothers go through, having leg cramps is one of the more painful ones. The increasing pregnancy weight is thought to be the main reason for this, as the legs carry all the weight of the body. Excess phosphorus during pregnancy is also considered to be one of the causes of leg cramps. Phosphorus hinders the body’s ability to absorb calcium, which is required for the expansion and contraction of the muscles. Lack of calcium leads to leg cramps.
What to do about it
At the start of your pregnancy, your doctor will already recommend an increased calcium intake for you. It is important for a woman to have more calcium during pregnancy, so make sure not to skip your daily supplement or your glass of milk.
Good diet and proper exercise will also lessen your chances of having leg cramps. Eat food rich with calcium and magnesium, and make sure to drink lots of water. A good nighttime exercise would be to stretch against the wall while standing about two feet away from it. Elevating your feet during the day will ease tiredness and stop cramps from developing.
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