Pregnancy & Baby 

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Leg cramps: due to nutritional deficiency?

For non-pregnant people, leg cramps can indicate a nutritional deficiency. Although scientific research is not conclusive, there is some evidence that calcium deficiency may contribute to leg cramps. It does make sense, however, because calcium is vital for muscles to be able to work properly.

Leg cramps in pregnant women are probably caused by other factors, as there is no evidence that dietary calcium deficiency results in leg or muscle cramps during pregnancy. Cramps may be caused instead by decreased circulation in your legs from the pressure of the baby on your blood vessels or by pressure on the nerves leading to the legs.

The reason for these cramps is not exactly known, but it does seem that moderate exercise may help prevent them, as will wearing support stockings and sitting with your legs up several times during the day.

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