Brief Answer:
EXPLAINED BELOW
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
Some amount of aches and pains are normal during pregnancy.
However, very severe pain that is disconcerting and interferes with daily activities is not normal.
It should be investigated.
Firstly,
dehydration is a leading cause of calf pains and cramps.
Please ask her to have atleast 4 - 5 litres of fluids everyday, as much water as possible.
Take regular iron and
calcium supplements.
Sometimes there is a
multivitamin deficiency, particularly of the B complex group.
She can take Injection Vitneurin alternate days intramuscular for 10 doses, if the pain is quite severe.
Also, calcium and magnesium deficiencies can cause calf pain, as can deficiency of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium.
Increase the intake of banana, fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, dates, broccoli, beans .
She should try gentle calf stretching exercises before going to bed.
Bend and stretch each foot gently , or rotate the foot clockwise and anticlockwise twelve times each.
Massage the calf muscles gently with warm oil, it will help her sleep also.
She can tuck a hot water bottle beneath the legs while sleeping.
The weight of the growing uterus and the pregnancy hormone
progesterone, both can cause calf
muscle pain.
Avoid standing for
prolonged periods of time, keep napping or lying down in between.
Get your blood pressure and hemoglobin monitored regularly.
If the pain is constant ( not intermittent cramps ), quite severe, and unrelenting, with associated pain, tenderness and redness on the legs, please consult your doctor to rule out the possibility of
blood clots in the veins of the calf, it is quite rare but needs to be ruled out.
All the best.
Please feel free to discuss further.