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Aching, Painful, Or Heavy Legs During Pregnancy

Having aching legs during pregnancy is the icing on the cake of all of your physical ailments. But contrary to cake, heavy or aching legs are not something to be desired. While things like morning sickness and fatigue can be expected, when leg pain hits, it might catch you off guard.

To help make your leg troubles a little more bearable, we’ll give you some basic information and help you identify the signs, causes, and treatments for your aching and heavy legs.

Blood Circulation And Heavy Or Aching Legs During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a period during which the risk of circulatory disruptions becomes particularly high. These disruptions are the consequence of the related increase in body weight and hormonal changes, as seen below:

• As early as the first trimester, the increase in hormones creates circumstances in which the blood in the veins can easily stagnate, weakening vein walls and the firmness of blood vessels. Estrogen levels can lead to inflammation (edema), and progesterone modifies the vein walls and vessel dilation.
• Throughout pregnancy, the increased volume of the uterus leads to increased pressure on the main vein responsible for returning blood to the heart.
• Finally, an increase in blood weight and volume (of 20% to 30%) contributes to increased pressure on the leg veins, which is doubled or tripled. The valves are separated further from each other by distension of the veins and no longer play their role of impeding blood return.

Blood circulation in the leg veins can be considerably disrupted. The symptoms vary significantly from woman to woman and pregnancy to pregnancy, ranging from simple discomfort to disabling pain.

After delivery, these impairments most often go away on their own within a few weeks.

The Role Of Veins And Vascular Insufficiency

In their normal state, arteries supply the body’s tissues and organs with essential substances for their healthy functioning, such as oxygen. Veins, on the other hand, return blood to the heart.

Blood pressure and the firmness of vein walls allow blood to flow from the lower to the upper portion of the legs. This blood flow through the veins and back up to the heart is called venous return.

Valves, acting as small flaps, are positioned every 2 to 5 centimeters (0.8 to 2 inches) in the veins. These valves ensure that blood always flows in the same direction without ever “falling” back down the other way.

The calf muscles and compression of the instep also play a role in blood flow, particularly when walking.

Contributing Factors

Several factors can increase the risk of vascular insufficiency during pregnancy:

• Heredity: If your mom has had circulatory issues, you run a higher risk of experiencing them yourself.
• Working in a standing position and shuffling. Prolonged sitting can also disrupt venous return.
• A sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical exercise.
• Excess body weight prior to pregnancy, or significant weight gain during pregnancy.
• Previous pregnancies: The risk of venous insufficiency increases with the number of previous pregnancies carried to term — 23 percent for the first pregnancy and 31 percent for the fourth.

Healthy Habits

To avoid circulatory impairments during pregnancy, prevention is essential. If you need to, try to lose weight before getting pregnant and then limit your weight gain during pregnancy.

Here are some other healthy habits to help you avoid vascular insufficiency:

• Take walks or do light exercise, which boosts blood flow
• Wear shoes with a small heel that is neither too high nor too flat (3 to 4 cm or 1 to 1.5 inches)
• Avoid tight-fitting clothes and constricting socks
• If you suffer from any plantar arch problems, wear corrective insoles
• In certain cases, wearing compression stockings and taking venotonics may be recommended during pregnancy, starting in the second month

If you experience the sensation of heavy legs despite these measures, try some of these tips to help ease the discomfort:

• Raise your feet from the foot of your bed
• At the end of each shower, spray cold water over your legs in an upward motion from the ankles to the thighs
• Avoid sources of heat (prolonged exposure to the sun, high-temperature baths, underfloor heating, etc. )
• Massage your legs every day, from the ankles to the knees, using a specific treatment cream to increase blood return and stimulate blood flow

Signs Of Heavy Or Aching Legs

Aching or heavy legs first appear as a sensation of discomfort, fatigue, and heaviness in the legs. These sensations can be the first sign of an actual circulation impairment alongside other characteristics, such as having pain:

• In the interior and posterior area of the calf that radiates up the leg toward the inside of the knee
• Most often felt towards the end of the day
• If you remain standing for a long time or if you are in contact with heat (summer temperatures, hot baths, hot-wax treatments, etc.)
• Increase as the pregnancy progresses
• Relieved by cold temperatures, winter climates, rest, elevation of the legs, and walking
• Accompanied by cramps at night, restlessness of the legs (painful discomfort that requires that one move one’s legs for relief), inflammation (edema of the ankles), varicosities, and even varicose veins

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, talk about it with your doctor at your next visit. Your doctor may be able to prescribe a suitable treatment for you.

Causes Of Aching Or Heavy Legs

Like most expecting moms, you’re probably wondering what’s causing your aching or heavy legs. The sensation of heavy or aching legs is related to a loss of firmness and elasticity of the vein walls, which causes a slowing of blood circulation in the veins. Because of this, the veins dilate and blood pressure increases.

Valves — the small flaps that normally keep blood from flowing back down the leg veins — have difficulty maintaining this pressure and progressively become deficient.

Resistance to leaks weakens and blood stagnates in the lower portion of the veins, which further impairs vein walls. A vicious cycle takes hold.

On top of this, other factors could be causing your aching legs, such as:

• Nerve pressure: When your uterus expands, it puts pressure on certain nerves, which can trigger spasms and cause pain in your legs.
• Dehydration: If your body doesn’t get the right amount of hydration during your pregnancy — and it needs a lot! — it can really suffer. Whether you’re dealing with morning sickness, stress, or cramps, drinking water can be the easy answer to all your pregnancy woes. When in doubt, take the water route!
• Increase in your weight: Your legs are carrying around more weight than they’re used to. They’re having to work a little harder each day, so at the end of the day, they’re tired just like you.
• Swelling: Swelling is no stranger to pregnancy, especially in the heat. When your ankles and feet start to swell in the heat, as we’ve mentioned above, circulation gets restricted. This is when your legs start to ache and get heavy. (Note: If you notice consistent swelling in your legs and feet, or your leg starts to feel warm, reach out to your obstetrician right away.)
• Changes in your posture as your baby grows: Throughout stages of your pregnancy, your baby has taken different positions inside your uterus. This can take a toll on your body, especially your back. Your posture starts to change throughout your pregnancy without you even noticing at times, but your legs are sure to take notice of the change. Your legs have to support you throughout these different stages, and it can impact them.
• Fluid retention: Your growing uterus puts pressure on the veins that carry blood back from your lower body, which partially blocks blood flow. As a result, fluid remains in your legs and feet.
• Joint laxity: As we’ve discussed, when you’re carrying the extra weight from your precious baby, it’s a lot for your legs — but it’s also a lot for your joints. Your joints can easily become stressed from the added pressure. Your joints may seem a little loose and you might even waddle when you walk!

At-Home Treatment

Most often, your leg aches can be relieved at home. That’s something to shout about because we know leg aches can really be a Debby Downer as you wrap up your day!

Here are a few ideas to relieve your leg aches and heavy legs at the end of the day:

• Stretch your calf muscles by flexing and releasing each foot a few times
• Take short walks throughout the day to boost blood flow
• Avoid standing or sitting with your legs crossed for long periods
• Take a warm bath before bed (After getting out of a relaxing bath, don’t forget to apply Stretch Marks Oil to help limit the appearance of stretch marks! It leaves your skin restored, refreshed, and noticeably smoother. )
• Massage your legs throughout the day and especially before bed (Try using our Body Firming Gel to give your legs a little massage. It hydrates your skin, giving it a firmer look and overall feel.)
• Take a calcium supplement (with the go-ahead from your doctor)
• Drink a glass of milk before bed
• Prop your legs up on a pillow (make sure your legs are elevated above your heart)
• Wear compression leggings or socks
• Increase your potassium intake

Medical Treatment

If your legs are painful and you see no improvement after trying the recommended measures outlined in the previous section, do not hesitate to see a doctor. They can prescribe suitable treatment for your condition.

Various methods — from medicinal to physical to surgical — may be considered, depending on the severity of your circulatory impairments:

• Compression via pantyhose, stockings, or socks is the basic treatment for anyone experiencing venous insufficiency. Different models are available depending on the strength of compression necessary. Significant progress has been made in improving the esthetics of these garments. The cost of some of these compression methods may be eligible for Social Security reimbursement.
• Venotonics have anti-inflammatory properties, stimulating muscle tone and protecting the elasticity of the vein walls. They must be taken for an extended period of time in order to be effective.
• Kinesitherapy and exercises to build up the leg muscle also have a role to play. Walking, swimming and biking are the best types of activity. Spa treatments, massages, and manual lymphatic drainage can also provide valuable relief.
• If varicose veins developed during your pregnancy and are still present after delivery, vein sclerotherapy or surgery may be considered. These techniques can be performed under local anesthesia, requiring neither an epidural nor general anesthesia, and the patient can go home the same day as treatment, or the following day.

A Comfortable Pregnancy

Aching and heavy legs can be caused by a variety of factors, as we listed above. Although these unpleasant sensations usually disappear on their own after delivery, they should not be taken lightly.

Heavy legs can turn into vascular pathologies that can sometimes be disabling. Monitor your heavy legs closely and give them the appropriate care from the very first signs to limit the risk of complications.

But keep in mind that most often, it’s not a cause for concern or harmful to your baby. Use at-home treatments to ease your leg aches and heavy legs. You may have to try a few before you find what works for you.

And while you’re at it, continue taking care of yourself during your pregnancy by treating your skin. Using the right products that have been clinically proven to effectively help expecting mothers, like our Stretch Marks Cream, will make for one comfortable pregnancy!

Leg pain during pregnancy: causes and how to get rid of it

Feet in pregnant women hurt for various reasons. Since there is a considerable load on the legs during pregnancy, this is not surprising. Just don't ignore the pain. Sometimes, if a woman feels pain in her legs, we can talk about pathology.

We tell you what pain in the legs during pregnancy can be associated with and what to do to alleviate the symptoms. nine0003

Why my feet hurt during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the center of gravity usually shifts, which creates an excessive load on the legs. Therefore, many women who are carrying a child experience pain in their feet. In general, during pregnancy, a woman's body is rebuilt, so pain can also occur for other reasons that are also not associated with the development of diseases.

Causes of leg pain in pregnant women

The most common causes of foot pain in pregnant women include: nine0003

• Natural increase in body weight;

• The shift in the center of gravity, which increases the load on the feet;

• Excessive accumulation of fluid in the body can cause swelling and, as a result, throbbing pain;

• Aching pain, swelling after walking or standing for a long time - these symptoms appear in women prone to varicose veins; nine0003

• Cramping that cramps the legs or only the feet can occur due to an increased concentration of progesterone in the blood, as well as due to iron and calcium deficiency.

Consider the cases when the feet hurt during pregnancy due to existing diseases.

Flat feet

If flat feet have already been, then during pregnancy, if the disease is not treated, it only gets worse. There are cases when a woman had the first stage of flat feet, and in the last trimester - already the third. Usually, transverse flat feet are more acutely tolerated. Its symptoms: nine0003

• Burning in the feet;

• By the end of the day, the legs are very tired, they may swell;

• In the evening there are cramps in the area of ​​​​calves and shins, which are accompanied by pain in the feet;

• Pain in the area of ​​​​the kneecaps, pelvis and back - these symptoms appear when flat feet are neglected; nine0003

• Calluses and growth that affects the base of the thumb;

• Hammer toe deformity.

It is important to diagnose the transverse flatfoot of the foot in time. Usually orthopedic traumatologists deal with this issue. To diagnose the disease, the doctor sends an x-ray. Pregnancy is not an absolute contraindication for x-rays. Radiation should be avoided only in the first three months of pregnancy. Before the procedure, be sure to warn the doctor about your situation. nine0003

Only after studying the radiographs, the doctor can confirm the diagnosis. Further steps will depend entirely on the stage of the disease. At the initial stages, the disease is cured by conservative methods, in advanced cases, surgical intervention is required.

Conservative treatments include:

• treatment with medications if there is inflammation;

• nine0002 wearing orthopedic insoles and other devices;

• physiotherapy;

• massage;

• exercise therapy.

In the fight against flat feet, orthopedic insoles, which are designed for pregnant women, have proven themselves well. They help to evenly distribute the load on the legs of women. nine0003

Varicose veins

Even if a woman has never suffered from this disease, there is a risk that pregnancy will worsen the condition of the vessels.

Since mother and baby have a common circulatory system, varicose veins can provoke oxygen starvation in the fetus. The fact is that it is with the mother's blood that the child receives all the necessary substances to maintain his life.

It is not difficult to recognize varicose veins on your own. The most obvious signs that can be seen with the naked eye are pronounced vascular networks. It is worth making an appointment with a doctor if you have symptoms such as: nine0003

• Aching pain in the legs, especially after exercise;

• Fatigue and heaviness in the legs at the end of the day;

• tingling, itching and burning;

• Numbness of limbs or cramps.

The treatment of the disease is carried out by a phlebologist (vascular surgeon). nine0003

Is it possible to do foot massage during pregnancy?

If the attending specialist does not see any contraindications for massage, then the procedure will only benefit. Foot massage during pregnancy will help not only alleviate the condition of the legs, but also improve the mood of the expectant mother. Massage has a positive effect on the emotional state of the mother, and therefore on the unborn child.

How to get rid of foot pain

Often, with pain in the legs, a woman can help herself. These recommendations will help get rid of leg pain or at least reduce it: nine0003

• During pregnancy, aching and tired feet come to the rescue in the evening foot baths. Water should be at room temperature. It is also useful to rinse the feet with cold water;

• It is advisable to sleep on the left side - on the right is the inferior vena cava, which carries the bulk of the blood, so it is better to remove the load from it;

• A contrast shower helps to get rid of pain in the legs - this procedure will also strengthen the walls of blood vessels; nine0003

To avoid unpleasant pain in the legs, it is also important to follow preventive measures:

• Drink enough water. Edema appears when the body is dehydrated, and not vice versa;

• Movement. To improve blood flow, it is useful to move and do light exercise. Walking is the best activity for pregnant women. When driving, it is important to take regular breaks to stretch your legs; nine0003

• Leg lift. If you have to sit for a long time, it is advisable to raise your legs more often. To do this, you can put a stand or a small bench near you;

• Balanced diet. This applies mainly to the consumption of salt, since it is it that retains water in the body. In general, the diet should be varied, with sufficient protein;

nine0016

Weight control. Almost all women gain weight during pregnancy. It is only important to ensure that the “increase” fits into the norm, since excess weight provokes swelling;

• Avoidance of heavy workloads. Long stay on your feet, lifting weights and any physical labor - all this negatively affects the health of blood vessels during pregnancy. You should also pay attention to the position of the body. For example, a pose in which the legs are crossed harms the vessels; nine0003

• Correct posture. With proper posture, the load on the legs is distributed evenly. It is important to ensure that the lower back does not bend too much or the body does not lean back too much;

• Comfortable shoes and clothes. Clothing or shoes that are tight on the body can block blood flow. Therefore, it is not recommended to wear socks with tight elastic bands that leave marks on the body, and shoes that are too narrow and short; nine0003

• Be careful with sunburn. If there is a tendency to varicose veins, you should not stay under the sun for a long time - ultraviolet rays weaken blood vessels.

If you follow these simple recommendations, you can minimize the pain in the legs during pregnancy. If you suspect flat feet, you can always contact our orthopedic center. A specialist doctor will diagnose and, in case of illness, prescribe an effective treatment regimen. nine0003

Pregnancy and your feet article on the website of the Preobrazhenskaya Clinic

Pregnancy causes many different changes in a woman's body. Many women during pregnancy present the same complaints.

One of these complaints, which is practically not taken into account, is the complaint of pain in the legs.

Due to the natural weight gain during pregnancy, the body's center of gravity shifts forward. This causes a redistribution of the load on the limbs and an increase in pressure in the knee joints and feet. nine0003

Pregnant women have two main problems, they are excessive pronation of the foot and swelling of the legs.

These changes can cause pain in the heels, arch, or metatarsus. Many women experience leg cramps and varicose veins. Therefore, all pregnant women need to have the necessary information about their health and, in particular, about the function of the legs, so that the nine-month pregnancy period is more comfortable for them.

Cause:

Excessive stress on the feet and swelling of the legs are the most common problems during pregnancy. nine0003

Overload occurs because the arch of the foot flattens under the weight. This can cause congestion and inflammation of the plantar fascia that runs from the heel to the toes.

Excessive stress on the feet can make walking painful due to increased stress on the legs, calves and spine.

Edema, or swelling of the legs, usually occurs in the second half of pregnancy.

Edema is caused by obstruction of the outflow of blood due to the pressure of the enlarging uterus on the veins of the lower extremities. In a woman's body, the total volume of fluid in the body remains the same as before pregnancy, but its distribution changes. Swollen legs become bluish. nine0003

During pregnancy, an extra volume of fluid accumulates in the body, which contributes to an increase in edema.

If the hands or face swell, the pregnant woman should immediately consult a doctor.

Treatment

There are effective ways to deal with deformity and swelling of the feet during pregnancy.

Foot deformity can be corrected with ready-made orthotics . These orthotics must have sufficient arch and hindfoot support. It remains important to choose the right shoes. A pregnant woman should choose comfortable shoes with proper foot support and cushioning. nine0003

Foot deformity should be treated not only to relieve pain, but also to avoid complications such as plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, inflammation of the posterior tibial muscle, or deformity of the toes.

Pregnant women can be given the following advice:

• Raise your legs as often as possible. If you have to stay in a sitting position for a long time, set up a small stool and place your feet on it.
nine0016 Wear rational footwear. Too narrow and short shoes impede blood flow in the lower extremities.
• Measure the circumference of the lower leg and thigh, as well as the size of the foot, several times during pregnancy.

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