Leg cramped during pregnancy: causes, symptoms, what to do

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

During the period of gestation, many patients complain that they cramped their legs at night. During pregnancy, painful spasms of the muscles of the lower extremities are noted quite often. This is usually associated with an increasing load on the legs or with malnutrition. But in some cases, such symptoms may indicate pathologies of the venous vessels or severe preeclampsia. In the article, we will look at the possible causes of cramps and first aid for spasms of the muscles of the legs.

Etiology

Why do I get leg cramps during pregnancy? Prolonged and painful muscle spasm can be triggered by the following factors:

1. Excessive cerebellar impulses. This part of the brain is responsible for motor function. If signals from the cerebellum are sent to the muscles too often, thenconstant contraction of a muscle group. This type of seizure is seen in pregnant women with eclampsia.
2. Excess of acetylcholine. This substance is a mediator, it is involved in signal transmission from nerves to muscles. If an excessive amount of acetylcholine accumulates in the gap between the muscles and nerve endings, then convulsions may occur. During pregnancy, an excess of the mediator is most often formed due to a deficiency in the body of magnesium and potassium.
3. Increased excitability of muscle cells (myocytes). The threshold of muscle sensitivity largely depends on the water-s alt balance in the body. It can significantly decrease with dehydration. Therefore, patients often cramp their legs during pregnancy, accompanied by toxicosis and vomiting. Vitamin deficiency also leads to increased excitability of muscle tissue.
4. Reducing the concentration of adenosine triphosphoric acid (ATP). This substance is produced inside the cells. It promotes muscle relaxation. ATP deficiency can cause leg cramps. The lack of acid during pregnancy is formed due to the fact that the growing fetus compresses the vessels of the abdominal cavity. In addition, the concentration of ATP is sharply reduced with varicose veins and thrombophlebitis, overstrain of the leg muscles, and also due to calcium deficiency in the body.

Non-pathological causes

Painful spasms of the muscles of the lower extremities are not always a symptom of various pathologies. There are cases when absolutely he althy women experience leg cramps during pregnancy. The following conditions may be the reason for this:

1. Avitaminosis. Vitamin deficiency leads to metabolic disorders in muscle tissue, which often causes spasms.
2. Micronutrient deficiency. Often patients complain that they cramp their calves at night. During pregnancy, the growing fetus takes trace elements from the mother's muscles. As a result, there is an accumulation of acetylcholine and a decrease in ATP levels. This causes spasms that intensify at night. If at the same time the patient does not eat properly and does not receive nutrients from food, then the situation is aggravated.
3. Physical overload. If a patient has a leg cramp during pregnancy, then quite often the cause of this is overstrain of the legs. Most often, spasms appear in the second and third trimester. As the fetus grows, the load on the spine and lower limbs increases. Standing on your feet for a long time can provoke an attack of night cramps. Being overweight and gaining weight quickly during pregnancy increases the likelihood of developing cramps.
4. Enlargement of the uterus. During the growth of the embryo, the internal organs of a woman are displaced and often squeeze the nerves and blood vessels. For this reason, the nutrition of muscle tissue is disrupted, which can provoke involuntary muscle contractions.
5. Dehydration. With the development of the embryo, dehydration often occurs, as the fetus absorbs water from the woman's body. Fluid loss also occurs during vomiting with toxicosis. As a result, the threshold of muscle excitability decreases and convulsions occur.

The above reasons are easily eliminated. To get rid of cramps, you need to review your diet, drink enough fluids and avoid excessive overload of the lower extremities. After lifestyle and nutritional changes, painful spasms are significantly reduced.

Possible diseases

If during pregnancy the leg cramped after a long walk or standing, then this is not a sign of the disease. Periodic spasms can be triggered by random causes. However, if cramps occur constantly, then this may indicate the following vein diseases:

1. Varicosis. Pathology is accompanied by stagnation of blood and dilatation of the veins of the lower extremities. Deformed vessels bulge through the skin, heaviness appears in the legs. Seizures usually occur in the advanced stages of the disease, when ATP synthesis is disturbed in muscle cells. During pregnancy, varicose veins often worsen due to increased stress on the legs.
2. Thrombophlebitis. This disease is accompanied by inflammation of the venous vessels. Most often, thrombophlebitis is a complication of varicose veins. Night cramps occur due to stagnation of blood in the vessels of the extremities. In the daytime, the patient is disturbed by sharp pains spreading along the affected vein. There is cyanosis and cooling of the skin at the site of inflammation. Soreness increases while walking.
3. Inferior vena cava syndrome. This pathology occurs only in pregnant women. It is usually noted in the second and third trimesters, when the embryo reaches fairly largesizes. Fetal growth leads to displacement of the abdominal organs. In this case, the inferior vena cava is compressed. There is stagnation of blood in the lower extremities, which causes seizures. In addition, patients complain of weakness, decreased blood pressure, dizziness and tachycardia.

It is important to remember that spasms of the muscles of the limbs in some cases may indicate dangerous conditions that require emergency care. If a woman's blood pressure rises, edema appears and her legs cramp at night during pregnancy, then this may be a sign of eclampsia. This is a severe form of preeclampsia, in which the functioning of the kidneys and the central nervous system is disrupted. Pathology is accompanied by generalized convulsive seizures. It is not uncommon for spasms to start in the leg muscles and then move to other muscle groups and spread throughout the body.

Symptomatics

If a woman has a leg cramp during pregnancy, then the spasm is always accompanied by severe pain. Involuntary muscle contractions usually occur during awkward movements during sleep, but can also occur in a state of complete rest.

During the maximum contraction of the muscles, a sharp pulling pain appears. The muscle becomes hard to the touch, sometimes a pulsation is felt under the skin. Seizures may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

1. Expansion in the area of the feet. This sensation usually appears before or after spasms.
2. Heavy in the legs. These symptoms most often occur in the evening and precede an attack of night cramps.
3. Weakening of the pulse in the lower extremities. This is a sign of squeezing of blood vessels and stagnation of blood.

After relaxing the muscles, the discomfort disappears. With a severe cramp, soreness may persist for some time when resting on the leg.

First Aid

What should I do if my leg cramped during pregnancy? How to relieve pain and relax the muscle? The following measures will help stop painful spasms:

1. During a cramp, you should try to raise your legs. This will ensure blood flow and eliminate congestion.
2. You need to grab your toes with your hands, bend the foot towards the knee and release. Then the flexion must be repeated and the lower leg held in this position until the cramp disappears. This will help stretch and relax the muscle.
3. In some cases, a needle prick or pinching of a contracted muscle helps. However, with a severe cramp, this technique does not always work.

After relaxing the muscles, it is useful to massage the affected area. This will enhance blood microcirculation.

If spasms occur constantly, then it is necessary to find out why during pregnancy it cramps legs. Only a specialist can answer this question. You should report such symptoms to the attending obstetrician-gynecologist, as well as visit a phlebologist and check the condition of the veins. It is possible to get rid of convulsions caused by varicose veins or thrombophlebitis only after the underlying pathology has been cured.

If a woman has signs of eclampsia or pressurethe inferior vena cava, it is necessary to call an ambulance. These are dangerous conditions that require immediate treatment.

Medicated treatment

There are many anticonvulsant drugs, but most of them are contraindicated for pregnant women. Therefore, during such a period, doctors try to use sparing medications that do not have a negative effect on the fetus. The most commonly prescribed drugs based on magnesium and potassium, which compensate for the lack of minerals in the body:

• "Asparkam";
• "Panangin";
• "Potassium orotate".

If the patient has signs of beriberi, then vitamin-mineral complexes are shown:

• "Magnesium B6";
• "Magne B6 Forte";
• "Calcium D3".

The use of analgesics, antispasmodics and local anti-inflammatory ointments during pregnancy is prohibited. These medicines may adversely affect the development of the fetus.

Diet

Often during pregnancy, cramps cramp at night, and during the daytime no discomfort is noted. These manifestations most often indicate a deficiency of trace elements in the body. In such cases, diet helps to get rid of spasms. It is necessary to include foods rich in the following useful minerals in the daily menu:

1. Magnesium. This trace element is found in raw vegetables and dried fruits.
2. Potassium. To saturate the body with this usefulsubstance, you need to eat seafood, dried apricots and bananas.
3. Calcium. Dairy products, fish, eggs, nuts and legumes must be present in the diet of a pregnant woman.

You should also drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. During pregnancy, it is recommended to drink boiled water or mineral water without gas. It is necessary to give up fatty foods, convenience foods and fast food.

Gymnastics and massage

If during pregnancy cramps in the calves of the legs, then regular gymnastics can help. In this case, you must be careful not to expose yourself to excessive stress, so as not to harm the fetus.

The following types of exercises are useful for leg cramps:

1. Flexion and extension of the foot. Such movements help to relax the calf muscles.
2. Riding with the foot of a can or dumbbell. This exercise is especially useful for spasms of the plantar muscles.

Gymnastics should be completed with a small massage of the calves and feet. This stimulates blood circulation and reduces increased muscle tone. Exercise therapy and massage should be done 2-3 times a week.

Physiotherapy

When pregnant, physiotherapy is prescribed with caution. Before the course of treatment, it is necessary to undergo an examination to make sure that there are no contraindications. For leg cramps, the following types of treatments are most effective:

• magnetotherapy;
• laser treatment;
• shock wave therapy (SWT).

These types of physiotherapy stimulate blood circulation and improve the nutrition of muscle tissue. On average, about 10 treatments are required to completely get rid of cramps.

Acupuncture is also effective in relaxing muscles and preventing spasms. However, acupuncture sessions are indicated only in early pregnancy. Acupuncture is not recommended during the second and third trimesters.

Folk remedies

It is impossible to completely get rid of leg cramps with the help of folk remedies. However, home treatment can complement other therapies. For leg cramps in pregnant women, the following recipes are recommended:

1. Chamomile decoction. Flower petals should be poured with boiling water and boiled for 10 minutes. Then the composition must be cooled and taken before meals, 1/3 cup.
2. Honey. This bee product helps to saturate the body with vitamins and minerals. Honey for cramps, take 2 teaspoons with food.
3. Decoction of birch buds. You need to take 2 teaspoons of vegetable raw materials and place in a glass of boiling water. The drink is infused for 10 minutes and consumed instead of tea.
4. S alt baths. A medium-sized basin will require 3 tablespoons of sea s alt. The water should be warm, but not hot. Foot bath is taken for 10-15 minutes.

Prevention

Special prevention of leg cramps has not been developed. After all, muscle spasms are always secondary, they areonly one of the manifestations of trouble in the body. However, the following recommendations will help reduce the risk of painful muscle contraction:

1. During pregnancy, the diet should include foods high in vitamins and minerals.
2. Calf stretching exercises should be done periodically.
3. Excessive strain on the lower extremities, especially prolonged standing, should be avoided. You should also wear comfortable shoes. If you are prone to cramps, you should stop wearing high-heeled shoes.
4. For varicose veins, you should wear special compression underwear.
5. Pregnant women are advised to sleep on their left side. This will help prevent compression of the abdominal vessels.

If convulsions are constantly disturbing and are accompanied by a deterioration in well-being, then you need to visit a doctor. Timely diagnosis and treatment will help prevent the development of venous disease or preeclampsia.