The First Trimester: Leg & Foot Cramps

At different times during your pregnancy, you might have cramps in your legs or feet. This is due to a change in the way your body processes, or metabolizes, calcium. One way to prevent these cramps is to make sure to get enough calcium through nonfat or lowfat milk, and calcium-rich foods. You also get some calcium in your prenatal vitamin, but you might need to take a calcium supplement if you don't get enough through your diet. Talk with your health care provider first about taking calcium supplements.

You can relieve leg and foot cramps by gently stretching the muscle. If you have a sudden leg cramp, flex your foot towards your body. If you point your foot to stretch your leg, the cramp could worsen. Wrapping a warm heating pad or warm, moist towel around the muscle also can help the muscle to relax.

Topics

• Tiredness
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Frequency of Urination
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Varicose Veins and Hemorrhoids
• Leg Cramps
• Nosebleeds, Nasal Stuffiness, Bleeding Gums

• Smoking, Alcohol, and Drugs
• Work
• Nutrition and Weight Gain
• Exercise
• Bathing
• Caring for Your Mouth and Teeth
• Intimacy

• Visits and Tests
• Changes in Your Baby