If you are here, it means you are interested in learning more about cramps in pregnancy.

Perfect! I created this content just to help you.

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The cramps in pregnancy are a very common occurrence.

They are involuntary muscle spasms that almost always appear during the third trimester of pregnancy.

In most cases, cramps during pregnancy occur in the lower limbs, specifically the calves.

In the case of pregnancy cramps affecting the lower limbs, among the causes it is possible to mention, besides weight gain, a determining factor especially in advanced pregnancy, also the high blood concentration of progesterone.

During summer, the onset of small cramps in pregnancy in the legs and calves is also contributed to by the deficiency, exacerbated by sweating, of minerals such as potassium and magnesium.

Electrolyte imbalance conditions, among the main causes of cramps during pregnancy, are also common in pregnant women suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum.

Cramps in pregnancy, when they involve legs, calves, and feet, can occur at two different times.

The progesterone, as already mentioned, can be a cause of cramps during pregnancy, particularly in the legs.

Its impact materializes in the first part of pregnancy, a period during which this hormone plays a very valuable role.

It contributes, as I recall here, to the implantation of the embryo in the uterus and to maintaining the proper softness level of the organ's walls, a fundamental aspect to prevent contractions. 

Cramps in pregnancy in the plantar fascia, calf, and leg in general can also occur in the second and third trimesters.

These are periods when venous circulation changes and it is common to deal with cases of lymphatic stagnation.

The presence of small contractions can predispose the onset of cramps in pregnancy.

Always looking at cramps in pregnancy that occur in the lower limbs, we can talk about some preventive tips that make a difference. Let's see together what they are.

Paying attention to this aspect, valuable in general when expecting, allows you to reduce the risk of mineral salt deficiency.

As we have already seen, this is a predisposing factor for the onset of cramps in pregnancy.

Here are some foods that should never be missing from your dietary routine:

• Potassium sources like bananas

• Leafy green vegetables

• Legumes

• Dried fruit

• Whole grains

These are, as you can see, generally healthy foods that, beyond preventing cramps in pregnancy, should always be part of the pregnant woman's diet.

Constant hydration throughout the day is obviously essential.

Physical movement is also an important preventive ally when it comes to cramps during pregnancy in the plantar fascia and lower limbs.

Focus on types of low-impact physical activity.

Swimming and yoga are perfect.

Regarding this last discipline, among the most effective positions is the triangle or Trikonasana.

How is it done?

Starting from a standing position on the mat, with feet about ten cm apart and arms along the sides.

Continue by spacing the legs and opening the arms, raising them until they are parallel to the floor.

With palms facing down, rotate the right foot laterally and close the left one inward, without overdoing it.

After turning your head to the right, fix your hand and bring it closer to the floor, going down as far as you can.

If you can't reach the floor, touching the foot is perfectly fine.

The other arm should be stretched upwards and the gaze should go to the corresponding hand.

After holding the position for a few minutes, repeat everything on the left.

If you have recently discovered you are expecting, I recommend buying a specific pregnancy pillow right away.

Different from the one you will use for breastfeeding, it allows you to appreciate, among other benefits, an improvement in lymphatic drainage of the lower limbs, with all the related advantages regarding the prevention of cramps during pregnancy.

Here are the key features:

• Ergonomic design.

• Quality materials. The mix of polyester flakes and latex is ideal. Polyester alone is not enough, as it makes the pillow less supportive.

• Outer and inner lining made of soft fabric (mesh, or bi-elastic tulle, is perfect).

If prevention does not work, it is good to learn how to calm pregnancy cramps.

Osteopathy can prove to be a definitive solution.

With targeted treatments, the muscles of the foot and calf are indeed relaxed.

Any pain is improved and, by improving drainage, the problem of pregnancy cramps is resolved.

As I show in this video, the treatment can be performed with the patient in either supine or side position (it depends a lot on the stage of pregnancy).

You can start by relaxing the muscles of the plantar fascia, then continue with work on the mobility of the foot and ankle, mobilizing them.

Then focus is placed on the triceps, an area of particular importance for contributing to improved drainage and circulation.

The osteopath starts from the popliteal area to descend, following the Achilles tendon, down to the heel.

I warn you already that at this stage you might feel some discomfort.

Pressure from the practitioner is indeed fundamental.

Attention: these are general tips!

The treatment, in fact, must always be personalized also based on the presence of other issues, for example pubalgia.

There are other useful tips besides osteopathy to reduce symptoms of cramps in pregnancy in the lower limbs and plantar fascia.

If you are wondering what to take against pregnancy cramps, know that, in general, medication is usually avoided.

It may happen, instead, that the nutritionist and trusted healthcare provider recommend, based on data related to mineral salt deficiency, targeted supplements.

Always following specific recommendations from the healthcare provider, you can start using graduated compression stockings, useful to optimize venous return to the heart.

So far, we have talked about pregnancy cramps in the lower limbs and foot.

This symptom, as you may already know, can also affect the belly.

Belly cramps during pregnancy can occur for various reasons. Let's discover the main ones in the next paragraphs. 

Pregnancy cramps can appear as early as the initial weeks.

They represent, in this case, a consequence of the implantation of the blastocyst, the stage of life beyond the embryo, in the uterus.

This physiological phenomenon, technically known as invasion or adhesion, causes a real irritative effect at the endometrium level.

The uterus responds with slight contractions, which the mother perceives as pregnancy cramps, specifically located in the lower abdomen.

These little cramps can be accompanied by so-called implantation spotting.

How to distinguish them from actual menstrual flow? 

Here are some factors to consider:

• Color generally darker - it can be as dark as brown - compared to the period.

• Duration between 1 and 3 days.

• Mild intensity (we're talking about a few spots).

Remember that only the test can confirm the actual start of pregnancy.

When the second trimester arrives, cramps during pregnancy are mainly caused by one factor.

Which one exactly?

The changes affecting the round ligament.

This fibro-muscular structure, measuring between 12 and 15 cm in length, has the task of connecting the uterus to the pelvic ligament system.

With the growth of the uterus due to the natural progression of pregnancy, the ligament is literally stretched.

You might be thinking at this point, if you have already read my article on back pain in pregnancy, that due to the influence of estrogen and relaxin, muscles and ligaments during pregnancy become more lax.

Absolutely true, but the impact of the growing uterus is still significant and can manifest through the onset of cramps in pregnancy.

Cramps in pregnancy in the belly have different causes depending on the stage of pregnancy in which they appear.

In the third trimester, this symptom is due to Braxton-Hicks contractions.

Otherwise known as false contractions, they appear as slight spasms and are caused by the influence of oxytocin.

They aim to strengthen the uterine walls to prepare them for actual labor.

How to recognize them? Here are the characteristics:

• Weak intensity.

• Sensation of discomfort but not pain.

• Duration ranging between 30 and 60 seconds.

• Unpredictability.

• Tendency to decrease until they disappear.

They can appear following fetal movements. 

Cramps in pregnancy in the belly should cause concern in the following cases:

• Intensity and persistence.

• Presence of bleeding.

• Painful symptom accompanied by fever and vomiting (this picture may indicate an ongoing infection).

• Localization on a specific side of the abdomen, possible symptom, during the first weeks, of an ectopic pregnancy.

Can cramps indicate premature onset of labor? The answer is yes. 

If pregnancy cramps occur with increasing pain and are accompanied by regular uterine contractions before the thirty-seventh week, go immediately to the emergency room.

There are several remedies to relieve pregnancy cramps in the belly.

When, for example, they are caused by muscle tension, you can proceed with a proper massage of the belly and uterus.

Focusing on your breath, perform wave-like movements from top to bottom, always keeping close attention to how the firmness of the uterus changes.

A great ally against pregnancy cramps affecting the belly is also the application of heat.

The same can be said for osteopathy, very useful also in cases where there are scars on the abdomen.

As you can see in this video, the treatment can be performed with the patient in a supine or side position.

Start by working the posterior back muscles, then move up, in the initial steps, to the lateral abdominal muscles.

Obviously, the area where the abdominal muscles attach to the pubis should also be massaged.

Try also diaphragmatic breathing exercises which, besides relaxing, help train the pelvic floor and are preparatory for Pilates.

Even resting lying on your side with the specific pillow for expectant mothers, perhaps after a nice warm bath, can prove to be an excellent idea to keep the discomfort of pregnancy cramps in the belly under control.