Muscle cramps during pregnancy refer to sudden and painful contractions of muscles, often occurring at night, sometimes causing the individual to wake up due to the intensity of pain. Muscle spasms can be so severe that they limit daily activities and movements. Although the exact cause of muscle cramps during pregnancy is not fully understood, it is likely due to an imbalance between the absorption and excretion of electrolytes like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins B, E, and C, as well as disturbances in the activity of spinal motor neurons.
One of the common conditions that can cause acquired muscle spasms is pregnancy. Studies show that about half of pregnant women complain of leg cramps, especially at night. These spasms are more prominent during the second half of pregnancy (after the 20th week).
Factors that predispose to muscle cramps include:
- Impaired blood flow to the lower limbs
- Imbalance between absorption and excretion of electrolytes
- Vitamin excretion
Furthermore, during pregnancy, glomerular filtration and the consequent urinary excretion of calcium increase. Also, inadequate dietary intake of calcium and magnesium, coupled with the fetus’s daily calcium requirements and its absorption through the mother, leads to a reduction in maternal blood calcium levels. To counter this decrease, the parathyroid hormone secreted from the parathyroid gland, along with vitamin D from the fetus, increases. As a result, the serum calcium level remains unchanged, even though the reduced concentration of albumin in the blood shows lower serum calcium levels.
Since poor dietary habits and negligence towards maternal health can contribute to the intensification of muscle cramps, proper prenatal counseling, an appropriate diet, and recommendations for modifying harmful behaviors can be effective in alleviating muscle spasms and ensuring maternal health.
The magnesium B6 product from Pararin Pars Company is designed to reduce muscle cramps in individuals, especially pregnant women, helping improve muscle spasms and the health of skeletal and cardiac muscles.