Cramps during pregnancy are quite a common thing for many women. As the women go through several body changes at this phase, leg cramps during pregnancy can be a concern for many. They can be painful, and many may also require attention to these cramps to get some relief. However difficult these can get, we have all about the leg cramps during pregnancy and the concerns related to it – just for you to help out.
Several expecting mothers face leg cramps and pregnancy at this phase, and here is what one should know all about it. Right from, what causes leg cramps to how to prevent them and remedies from taking care of them, we have it all! Let us learn all about them today.
What are Leg Cramps, and When does it Start?
Leg cramps in pregnancy are involuntary contractions in the calf and foot muscles or both, and these are pretty common during pregnancy. The spasms of leg cramps can radiate up and down your calves during the day, but they’re usually more prominent at night. It is when fatigue, fluid accumulation, and retention are at the peak. Leg cramps while pregnant are especially common after the second trimester of pregnancy, when there is weight gain due to pregnancy, increased swelling due to changes in blood circulation, and overall fatigue are on the rise.
They may get worse as your pregnancy progresses and your belly gets bigger. The cramps are experienced mainly during nighttime. However, one might also experience cramps during the day. The excruciating pain of the leg cramps can make it difficult for you to sleep at night and work during the day. According to studies, around half per cent of all pregnant women experience leg cramps in the journey (1).
See More: Cramping In Pregnancy
Causes of Leg Cramps During Pregnancy:
The exact cause and reason for leg cramps during pregnancy is unknown. Still, there are guesses on how the cramps are due to bodily changes, weight changes in the process of pregnancy, fatigue, and blood circulation alterations.
