LEG CRAMPING

Are leg cramps "cramping" your style ?

Leg cramps are fairly common with pregnancy because of the added fluids and weight pressure in the body. 

To relieve the pain during a cramp, stretch the leg and flex the foot, pointing or pulling the toes upward, massaging the area is helpful, as is applying heat or a cold pack that will help relax the muscle. 

For prevention, stretch before and after you exercise and before going to bed. be sure to eat a healthy and varied diet that is rich in potassium and calcium, the minerals that are most frequently deficient when leg cramping occurs.

Ask your doctor if you should take a vitamin or mineral supplement to ensure that you are getting enough in your diet. Drink at least six to eight glasses of water each day and sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees to keep nerves from being pinched.