Health

Cramps are often known as the painful feeling which occurs due to irregular tightening of muscles. However, leg cramps at the time of pregnancy occurs due to raised body weight. This can be due to existence of surplus phosphorus and deficiency of either potassium, sodium, calcium, or magnesium. There are several kinds of cramps like menstrual cramps, nocturnal cramps, skeletal muscle cramps and smooth muscle cramps. During pregnancy leg cramps are the most common kind of cramp which occurs and restrict the routine activities.

Ways To Prevent Leg Cramps During Pregnancy

Exercises for pregnancy

1. Stretching of leg helps in preventing leg cramps at the time of pregnancy.This should be done regularly at the time going to bed.
2. A daily walk should be included in routine. This should be done after consulting your doctor.
3. Rotate ankles and shake the toes forth and back to improve blood circulation. This would also help in reduction of leg cramps.

Things which should not be done at the time of pregnancy

1. If you get leg cramps then you should not stand for long time.
2. You should not keep your legs crossed for a long time.

Diet at the time of pregnancy

There are some dietary measures which should be taken at the time of pregnancy for prevention from leg cramps.

1. The first and foremost thing to remember is to take lots of water. This would keep your body hydrate and would prevent your muscles from tightening. This would help in prevention from leg cramps.
2. Pregnant women need approx. 4,700 milligrams (mg) of potassium per day. Fresh fruits and vegetables, red meat and chicken, fish, milk and yogurt, nuts, and soy products all provide potassium. Potatoes, prunes and bananas are some major sources of potassium.
3. Surplus amount of phosphorus should be avoided. This substance encourages cramps. Soft drinks, fast food and processed meat should be avoided as they contain high phosphorus value.
4. Calcium should be added in the diet. You can have milk products, almonds, salmon, leafy vegetables, etc. to increase calcium level in your body.
5. Magnesium is also an essential part of diet which should be added in the food.

Apart from these measures, you should consult your doctor on regular basis to avoid any pregnancy related problem.

Tags: Leg Cramps, Prevention, remedies