Leg cramps.

Leg cramps during pregnancy mainly occur as a result of nutritional deficiencies, electrolyte imbalances, and / or circulatory changes, in addition to the stress placed on the legs by the extra weight.

Suggestions:

• Increase your calcium and potassium intake by eating foods such as almonds, bananas, grapefruit, low-fat cottage cheese, oranges, sardines, sesame seeds (tahini), low-fat goat yogurt, oatmeal, millet, figs, watercress, seaweed in soups. , stews or salads. An adequate amount of calcium is also needed to help prevent high blood pressure and for fetal development.
• While relaxing or sleeping, elevate your legs so they are higher than your heart. I used to lift my legs and lean them against the wall while lying on the couch reading a book or watching TV. Then when I went to bed at night, I would put a pillow or two under my feet to keep them elevated. Stay as comfortable as possible.
• Don’t stay in one place for too long. Shift your weight from one leg to the other every few minutes.
• Walk at least one kilometer a day to stimulate blood circulation through your legs.
• Make sure your calcium, magnesium, and potassium levels are properly balanced. It is often easier to take a single formula that contains all three minerals in the correct proportions.
• To relieve cramps, try to relax as much as possible, try to pull the foot forward with your hands, move your feet up and down, massage your feet and legs vigorously.
• When you experience a cramp, apply a hot water bottle or heating pad to the area of ​​the cramp and apply pressure with your hands.

Calcium-rich herbal teas can also be prepared from:

Wild Oats, Meadow Queen, Horsetail, Valerian Root, Nettles, Banana

Drink a cup two or three times a day.

There is an herb, appropriately called cramp bark or rose florin, that is specific for cramps. It can be taken as a hot decoction, alone or together with any of the aforementioned herbs three times a day.

If you think tension or stress might be causing your cramps, add herbs such as:

Skullcap, passionflower, chamomile, valerian, lemon balm, lime flowers

Ginger, hawthorn, or angelica can be taken regularly to aid circulation.

Chamomile, lavender or ginger oils can be used to massage the legs, not only to relax overly tense muscles, but also to improve circulation through them. Hot foot baths can be taken at night before bed with the same oils.

Be careful with varicose veins, do not massage on them. The alternative hot and cold bath will stimulate circulation.