
Pregnant mothers very often get cramps right after starting to sleep. The following ways to reduce pregnancy cramps will help you get a good night's rest.
Cramps are involuntary, painful muscle contractions in the thighs, calves and legs that usually occur at night, during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
Why do cramps often occur in pregnant women?
It is not clear why pregnant women often experience cramps. Maybe because the leg muscles of the pregnant mother must carry an overloaded volume, the uterus gradually presses the veins, making the blood unable to return to the heart or the uterus presses the nerve from the spinal cord to the leg.
Cramps usually begin in the second trimester and get worse as the baby gets older. Cramps also happen during the day, but pregnant women feel that they have this more often at night. This is also the reason why pregnant mothers startle in the middle of the night.
Methods to help minimize cramps during pregnancy
Although there is no conclusive evidence, many people suggest that straining the leg muscles before bed can help reduce the frequency of cramps. The leg muscles tension exercises are as follows:
Step 1: You stand in front of a wall, raise your hand toward the wall, palms against the wall;
Step 2: Put right foot behind, left foot in front;
Step 3: Slowly move the left leg backwards while the right leg stays straight, and the heel still touches the floor;
Step 4: Hold the muscle tension for about 30 seconds, keeping your back straight and hips facing back. Be very careful not to rotate your legs and not to stand on your toes;
Step 5: After about 30 seconds, switch legs.
In addition, pregnant mothers can practice yoga before giving birth and rest between exercises. Light exercises like walking and aerobic exercise can help improve and reduce your risk of leg cramps. Besides, pregnant women also stand and sit for a long time. If you have a job in one place then mom should rest regularly or sit and lift your legs if you have to stand all day.
Many experts believe that taking a magnesium supplement is also effective in preventing cramps during pregnancy. In addition, you can also take magnesium-rich foods like whole grains, beans, dried fruits, nuts, and berries.
Another way to relieve cramps is to drink plenty of fluids. If your urine is clear or bright yellow, you are drinking enough fluids. If your urine is dark yellow, your body is dehydrated.
Pregnant mothers should choose shoes and socks that are suitable, comfortable, supportive and convenient. You can wear shoes with lacing around the heel, these types help keep your feet steady, avoiding slipping.
Being active also prevents cramps during pregnancy, but remember to check your health before getting active!
What should pregnant mothers do right after having cramps?
During cramps, gently stretch and bend your legs and toes several times and stand on a cold surface to help reduce muscle spasm. In addition, use a leather bag or hot water bottle to apply heat to the sore area to reduce pain and swelling.
In some cases, when you have stretched your legs and stood on a cold surface with no numbness in your legs, you should see a doctor, as cramps may occur due to a blood clot blocking a vessel.
In addition, a foot massage or a warm mattress will also help relieve numbness in the legs.
Cramps during pregnancy is very common, do not worry too much. However, in rare cases, the cramps cause intense pain due to the clot blocking the blood vessels. If you experience severe and persistent pain with signs of redness in your legs, pregnant women should immediately go to the doctor for prompt treatment.