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You might experience leg cramps in pregnancy if your body has a shortage of nutrients
and salts in your bloodstream. In a similar way to anaemia your baby will be taking more of
the nutrients from your blood which can leave you a little short on what you need yourself.

You’re also more likely to experience leg cramps during your second trimester and third
trimester as the size and weight of your baby puts added strain on your muscles and your
womb puts more pressure on the veins providing blood to your leg muscles.

By the time you reach your due date, just over a third of your extra weight will come from
your baby, the placenta and amniotic fluid. Every mum and baby is different, but here are
some averages

At birth, a baby weighs about 3.3kg (7.3lb)on average

• The placenta, which keeps your baby nourished, weighs 0.7kg (1.5lb).
• The amniotic fluid, which supports and cushions your baby, weighs 0.8kg (1.8lb).

The other two thirds of extra weight is due to the changes that happen to your body while
you're pregnant. On average:
• The muscle layer of your womb (uterus) grows dramatically, and weighs an extra
0.9kg (2lb).
• Your blood volume increases, and weighs an extra 1.2kg (2.6lb).
• You have extra fluid in your body, weighing about 1.2kg (2.6lb).
• Your breasts weigh an extra 0.4kg (0.9lb).
• You store fat, about 4kg (8.8lb), to give you energy for breastfeeding.

How can I avoid getting leg cramps in pregnancy?

There are a few things you can get into the habit of doing to reduce the chance of you
experiencing leg cramps in pregnancy, including:

• Having a well balanced diet including lots of iron and calcium rich foods such as
cheese yoghourt milk lean meat and fresh orange juice

• Engaging in daily exercises to help improve the circulation in your legs muscles. You
can try routines similar to what’s recommended on long haul flights including

bending, stretching and rotating each foot around 30 times

• Having a warm bath before bed to help open up blood vessels and improve
circulation to your legs