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How to Deal with Pregnancy Foot & Leg Pains
Before Heidi Harper had her first child five years ago, she had a "barely noticeable" bluish vein on the inside of one calf. But by the time her third child was born last summer, the vein was "a big, twirling, squiggly thing" that ran down the inside of both of her legs.
"It looked terrible," says the Summit, New Jersey, mom. "It didn't keep me from wearing shorts, but I was very self-conscious."
Harper's varicose veins -- a common condition in which large veins in the legs become enlarged and congested with blood -- are just one of many foot and leg problems that can occur during pregnancy. While some are temporary, others may stick around and progress.
So what causes these mysterious maladies, and what can you do about them? Here's what you need to know to give yourself a leg up now -- and after your baby is born.
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ya well i am 17 weeks and i am 37 this will be my 4th child i just had one 2 years ago and i am getting pains leg pains and back pain earlyer then i did on 2 years ago i guess that tell you something you are getting old but the pain is diffrent this time it is in my lower back and knee`s in the joint`s so what to do for the pain in you joint`s
6/14/2011 10:27:56 PM Report AbuseIm 24 weeks and I have them on my leg. They are just bumpy, but they don't really hurt right now. THey are just annoying to look at. I have this wrap that I put on it tonight, I think it helped I just hope it goes away soon though....
4/30/2011 10:38:18 PM Report AbuseI am 33 weeks, I find the only thing that remotely helps is to take a hot bath and put on compression stockings. The stockings help dull the insane sensations associated with RLS.
4/29/2011 09:29:07 PM Report AbuseI have been told potassium can help leg cramps by a few people. they tell me to eat bananas and it will help the cramping. I woke up with my calves cramping because I was pointing my toes when I stretch in my sleep. Now I pull them upwards instead of pointing down. Massage also helps a lot. I have also heard they have these stockings that are tight that are supposed to help and yes drinking water too.
4/8/2011 08:39:44 PM Report AbuseMy doctor told me to buy a stomache brace that they sell everywhere to help lift my belly and remove pressure from my hips, so far it has helped. I put it on when im standing and taking walks, worth a try.
2/1/2011 11:57:28 AM Report AbuseThere has been nothing I can do about it, it hurts so bad. My hips and thighs are in constant pain from the time I lie down for bed till about 2 hours after I wake up. And by wake up I mean get out of bed - bc I can't sleep with this pain. I go to the doctor next week but I don't knwo what he'll be able to do. I strecth, take tylenol, soak in the bath, sleep with pillows, without pillows, with weird arrangements of pillows, I toss and turn - nothing helps!
10/21/2010 11:07:36 AM Report AbuseI have a 10 year old, so I feel like I am doing this for the first time. I am almost 27 weeks along and I cannot seem to get up. All I want to do is sleep. Is that normal, I need to know how to get more motivated as I am a housewife and I have things I need to do during the day. What can I do to wake up.
5/25/2010 05:26:46 PM Report AbuseIf you have charlie horses a gentle punching massage get rid of mine quickly. The first time i got them I woke up and was writhing on the floor in pain. Lucky for me I was at a conference with my girlfriend and she knew what to do and showed me to gently punch my calves until it went away. I also get them if I do not drink enough water and drink too much tea or coffee. I know caffeine isn't the best but when your on the road it is hard to avoid.
5/20/2010 12:26:29 PM Report AbuseI just curl up around my body pillow when my RLS kicks in. Before I got pregnant, my RLS only bothered me at night, but now my legs have the creepy crawly, I want to stretch them out feeling, througout the day. I stretch them as much as possible, but I think it is one of those things you just have to deal with.
5/19/2010 11:04:36 AM Report AbuseI have them now. I am more into the Restless Leg Syndrome. im 25 weeks
10/20/2009 10:03:50 PM Report Abusewhat to do when you have these pains in your pregnancy ?
10/1/2009 09:33:26 AM Report Abuse