5 Ways To Treat Pregnancy Leg Cramps In 5 Minutes or Less

Leg cramps in pregnancy are the worst. If you’ve ever felt that sharp sudden pain up the back of your calf you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Leg cramps, also known as Charley horses, or a sudden spasm and clenching of muscles usually in the calf or foot and sometimes thigh are not dangerous. But that does not mean they don’t hurt like stepping on a Lego at 2 in the morning with bare feet. Maybe it’s something to wish on your worst enemy. But it’s definitely not something you want to define your pregnancy by. And it’s definitely not something you want to pop up in your labor which, if nobody told you, is totally possible.

So how do you get rid of pregnancy leg cramps once and for all? Read on my friend, and you will know exactly what you need to do to treat your pregnancy leg cramps.

The One Question That Reveals The Cause Of Your Pregnancy Leg Cramps. 

If you’re like me, when you start looking for solutions to a problem like leg cramps, you’ve read a dozen articles that all day the same handful of things. Leg cramps are caused by dehydration, lack of electrolytes, exercising your muscles too much etc. There are so many different causes that it can feel overwhelming and confusing trying to find the root cause, the one cause that you need to know about.

Here is the good news. All of these answers are NOT the primary cause of leg cramps.

The cause of pregnancy leg cramps is muscle fatigue. Full stop. Period. End of story.

So yes, just like when you are tired at the end of the day, many things may have played into that feeling. Things, like not stopping to rest, or forgetting to eat or carrying to much stress all, may make you feel fatigued. And if someone were to write an article about the causes of fatigue, it might feel like they were throwing spaghetti at the wall totally guessing what caused your fatigue. But, if you looked at your own day, you could pinpoint it in a minute.

That is the same as leg cramps. Once you read these solutions, you will know exactly which one is best for you because a moment of reflection will help you figure out what is causing your fatigue.

Simple Solutions That Seem Too Easy But Really Work To Relieve Pregnancy Leg Cramps:

1) Eat a banana to give a quick boost in needed minerals such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium. 

***This article contains affiliate links, including Amazon Associates and others. This means when you purchase a product from a link on this website, I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Potassium is one of three minerals (all electrolytes) that is critical to muscle function. It plays a critical role in muscle contraction, and nerve conduction. Potassium deficiency can present in fatigued muscles, high blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat. A few foods high in potassium are bananas, dates, avocados, and potatoes. This is why eating a banana, which provides all three electrolytes, potassium magnesium and calcium can help prevent pregnancy leg cramps. 

2) Drink a cup of pregnancy tea to prevent dehydration and provide more of your essential minerals. 

Every single time you get dehydrated, your body will lose potassium. If you lose potassium, your muscles will be fatigued. Therefore if you are not drinking fluids, your muscles will fatigue. So start drinking more fluids! Whether is water, CALM, coconut water or tea. Drink. Drink. Drink.

My favorite drink to recommend to pregnant mothers is this prenatal tea by Nil Organics. You will LOVE how it tastes, especially if you add a drop of honey. This tea combines many herbs useful for pregnancy including dandelion, nettle, red raspberry. These herbs nourish the body and help you cultivate health. They are high in all three minerals we’ve discussed, including potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

3) Stand against the wall with towels behind your neck and lower back to relieve the extra pressure placed on your legs caused by poor posture during pregnancy. 

Poor posture in pregnancy can mean that your legs are working overtime. If your abdominals are weak or separated, known as Diastasis Recti, you are likely off-balance and using your legs way too much. Standing supported against the wall can relieve extra pressure from your legs, remind your body what correct posture feels like and allow for better circulation. Check out the book Pain-Free for Women for more simple exercises you can do at home to support your posture and relieve many pregnancy pains such as back pain, hip pain, and knee pain.

Also getting rid of heals and switching to a flat shoe such as Vivo Barefoot can help you release extra pressure in your calf, foot, and thighs as you move throughout your day. 

4) Massage your legs with a blend of geranium, chamomile, and bergamot to relieve tension and deeply relax your muscles. 

Massage and essential oils work together to release and relax muscle tension. They can release lactic acid build-up, increase circulation and numb nerve pain. If you’re experiencing leg cramps during the night, massage your legs for 5 minutes before bed. If you’re experiencing leg cramps during the day, sit down 3 times a day and massage your legs. Overall, these oils are both uplifting and relaxing and used to break cycles of tension. Just what you need if your muscles are fatigued because of stress or overuse. 

Pregnancy Leg Cramp Massage Blend

2 oz bottle

2 oz almond oil

12 drops geranium

8 drops chamomile

4 drops bergamot

Essential oils can safely help you address many pregnancy complaints. Learn 5 Life-Changing Ways to Use Oils During Pregnancy and start feeling better in your pregnant body today.

5) Sleep supported with plenty of pillows for support to allow for proper circulation and encourage muscle regeneration during the night. 

Getting enough sleep during the night is critical to your health. If you’re getting leg cramps in the middle of the night, it’s likely that the way that you are sleeping could be cutting off your circulation. Try adding a pregnancy pillow to support your belly and legs so that you are totally supported as you sleep and you aren’t restricting blood flow. 

To learn exactly how to use pregnancy pillows to support you during sleep, make sure to check out my article, How to Get More Sleep Even When You’re Pregnant and Have to Pee. 

Are Leg Cramps And Restless Legs The Same Thing?

No, leg cramps are when your muscles are tightly clenching without your control or consent. Restless Legs Syndrome is even your legs won’t stop moving in the middle of the night, even if you are trying to hold still. Check out this article if your symptoms sound more like Restless Legs: Restless Legs Are Real And Pregnant Moms Are No Longer Ignoring Them.

The One Thing You Really Need To Get Rid Of Your Pregnancy Leg Cramps: 

I have a dozen guides on natural pregnancy remedies that go over how to use foods, herbs, and essential oils to support a healthy pregnancy. These articles receive thousands of page views every month. But I wonder, how many people actually take the time to implement one solution that they find on my website? 

What you really need is not a list of natural solutions, but the motivation to actually do something about it. That is why I created this pregnancy symptoms guidebook to help you create a symptom crushing action plan so that you can make a plan and track your results. That way you know exactly what’s working for you. 

Until next time, light love and laughter,

Suzzie Vehrs

The post 5 Ways To Treat Pregnancy Leg Cramps In 5 Minutes or Less appeared first on She Births Bravely.

source https://shebirthsbravely.com/pregnancy-leg-cramps/

5 Lifechanging Ways to Use Essential Oils for Pregnancy

You’ve heard about essential oils and you are wondering if you can use them during pregnancy. Maybe you’ve used oils a bit in the past and now you are wondering, is it still safe to use essential oils for pregnancy complaints?

I remember feeling the exact same way when I was considering getting pregnant before my last child. I loved my oils. But I was also skeptical of advice from the internet. I knew both that I could use oils and see results, and that oils are powerful. I wanted to use them safely and properly.

That is why I took the time to get certified in aromatherapy for pregnancy and birth through the Penny Price Academy of Aromatherapy. This is the worlds leading oil education school and unaffiliated with any oil company.

What I learned served me every day when I did get pregnant. Essential oils were a gift that helped me to keep my energy up and dissolve away my aches and pains instead of living in a constant battle with my pregnant body.

I’ve officially been using oils for 5 years. The knowledge I gained through actually taking a course has provided continual benefits to my family. This is what you need to know about essential oils for pregnancy.

5 Powerful Ways to Use Essential Oils For Pregnancy

To Bring A Sense Of Calm And Peace

During pregnancy, my moods often feel out of control. I feel high, I feel low. Somedays I have so much energy I feel like I’m going to burst. Somedays my anxiety is overwhelming me and I can’t stop thinking about what if… what if… what if… and sometimes I just feel sad. I learned early in my oil journey that I can ease these mood swings by tuning in with essential oil practices and self-care.

To Ease Away Swelling, Aches, And Pains

Pregnancy is not the most comfortable time of life. I remember, when I was pregnant with my daughter Hazel, I would have such intense body aches I wasn’t sure how I would get out of bed. Yet, I had a toddler to keep up with and many things that really HAD to get done. If I took 20 minutes to hop in a bath with cypress and lavender. I was good to go. No leg cramps, no swelling, no achy body. It would all face away.

To Get A Better Night’s Sleep

Energy is a constant focus throughout pregnancy for me. I am not one of those people that can survive well on a few minutes of sleep. I literally turn into a mom monster when I’m sleep deprived. Using oils to calm and relax helped me get a better night’s sleep more often. In fact, bedtime is one of my favorite times of the night now. Our bedtime routine always starts with a calming oil in the diffuser.

To Support Immunity And Overall Good Health

One of the things I love about oils is that high-quality oils support overall health. Unlike an over-the-counter medicine like Tylenol, oils do not deplete anything in the body. In fact, it gives the body wonderful tools to work with. I don’t think most of us realize how powerful the plants around us really are.

For example, Tylenol has 1 active ingredient, acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is known to deplete Glutathione, which is one of the body’s most powerful antioxidants. While most people consider Tylenol safe, what you don’t know is that acetaminophen is the number 1 cause of liver failure in the U.K., and the 2nd most common cause in the U.S. Yes, even Tylenol should be used with caution.

Lavender on the other has over 1,200 components. Each component of lavender has its own range of effects with the body. For example, Linalool, the main component of lavender has anti-fungal properties, reduces spasms and is an anti-convulsant. Lavender also contains Myrcene which acts as a free radical scavenger and induces liver detoxification. Lavender has many many antioxidants. This is why essential oils can help the body in such a variety of ways.

To support Gut Health

One of my favorite things about the oil company I use is their overall focus on health and wellness. They have tools to make my entire house less toxic and healthier. As I’ve studied health and worked to make my entire family healthy, I’ve learned to focus on gut health. I love that there are probiotics and digestive enzymes that can help me keep my family healthy from the inside out.

Which Essential Oils Do I Recommend for Pregnancy?

With less than 10 oils, you can address almost every pregnancy complaint. If I were buying oils for the first time and buying essential oils for pregnancy, these are the oils I would definitely, hands down, stock my cupboard with.

Roman Chamomile

One of my favorite properties of Roman Chamomile is that it eases pain. It does this by numbing nerves and reducing inflammation in tissues. It is a great oil to use in hot compresses, baths or massage blends. I use this oil to help me with things like sore breasts and lower back pain. It is also very soothing and can help relax the body and mind before sleep. After your baby has arrived, it is safe and gentle and often used to help with colic, teething pain, and general restlessness or crankiness.

Frankincense

Frankincense is one of the most powerful oils. It is also on the more expensive side. DoTERRA has a sale every December where if you spend about $200, you get a bottle for free. Typically I plan ahead and get my free bottle every year. Frankincense is known to help tone the uterus and it is particularly beneficial to pregnant mothers. It is also known to help destroy infection-causing bacteria. My favorite property of Frankincense is that it is deeply emotionally healing. It can calm the nervous system and reduce stress.

Lavender

If you can only get one bottle of oil, lavender is the most widely used, is very affordable and has the most applications. While you may first think of lavender as being a calming and relaxing oil, it also has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antispasmodic properties and is stimulating to the immune system.

Geranium

Geranium has an amazing scent which is very similar to a rose. It is sometimes called the ‘women’s oil’ because it helps regulate hormones. Geranium oil can help with physical things such as engorged breasts after birth, and emotional things such as depression and nervous tension. It can even help stop bleeding. I LOVE this essential oil for pregnancy.

Bergamot

If you drink Earl Grey Tea, you are familiar with bergamot. It is the oil that gives this tea its unique flavor. Bergamot is an oil that helps support digestion. Its powerful uplifting scent makes it one of the most important oils to use in massage and bath blends to aid with tension, anxiety, and depression. It has powerful antidepressant qualities. While it is uplifting and energizing, it does not interfere with a person’s ability to sleep.

Cypress

Cypress oil stimulates circulation which can increase energy, warm cold hands, ease muscle cramps, and body aches. It can help regulate the menstrual cycle and even reduces heavy blood loss. Cypress essential oil can also be helpful for varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and swelling. It helps clear lactic acid from the body so it is particularly helpful to bring your body back to homeostasis after a long day’s work.

Lemon

Lemon oil has a deliciously clean scent. Many people use it to clean because of it’s antibacterial and antiviral properties. However, what I love most about lemon is that it supports the regeneration of white blood cells. It has been used by medically qualified aromatherapists to treat some serious illnesses. It is the essential oil I use for pregnancy and my young children to support the immune system during sickness. As a side benefit, the clear scent usually leaves my mind clear and alert and reduces any built-up apathy.

Spearmint

Spearmint oil is a lot like peppermint. However, it is more gentle and more suitable for children and pregnant people. Spearmint can be used to support the digestive system, alieve nausea, can often calm heartburn. The cooling feeling of this oil can be extremely beneficial to hot, tired and aching feet and legs. It can be used in a massage blend or foot bath for these benefits. A cool spearmint compress can come to the aid of a headache, mental fatigue or dizziness. The brightness and clarity of this oil brings brightness and clarity to the mind. It is a favorite of mine during labor to help a mom refocus and overcome negative thoughts. While peppermint oil can affect breast milk supply, you can continue to use spearmint your baby is born.

Vetiver

Vetiver is sometimes called the ‘oil of tranquility’. It is extremely relaxing, balancing and the perfect oil for those feeling depressed, isolated or rootless. It is known to strengthen the nervous and the immune system and helps reduce the risk of becoming sick because of lowered defenses. This oil is my favorite to use in a bath before bed or to diffuse at night. It calls me into a deep night’s sleep and helps me feel completely and totally relaxed.

Where To Learn More About These Oils

Don’t take my word for it. Essential Oils are fascinating to learn about. If you want to learn more I recommend the book the Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness. This book is written by two certified aromatherapists and chock full of useful information. You will find many ways to use these oils so that each bottle can support your family during pregnancy and beyond.

Where to Order Your Essential Oils For Pregnancy

I would love to be your oil person. I adore my customers and am grateful for my customers. Anytime you order anything from my site, it helps me create more great resources for moms having babies.

If You Need A Single Oil:

To order a single oil, click on the name and it will take you right to my shop.

If You Want To Order As A Set:

Are you stocking your oil library for pregnancy and birth or just starting with oils? If you would like to order all the oils in this guide as a set, you can do so here. You also get a few great benefits by ordering as a set.

Benefits Of Ordering As A Set:

• 10% off your next order if you order in the next month
• 30% off retail prices
• savings of over $90

Freebies When You Order As A Set:

I want to see my clients be totally set up for success when they invest in oils the first time. When you order my Essential Oils for Pregnancy Set you also receive these freebies:

• A copy of the Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook
• A 2 oz glass bottle to make your first massage blend in
• a bag of Epsom salts to safely add oils to your bath

If you ever have any questions about how to use or purchase your oils, reach out to me at contact@shebirthsbravely.com

Order Your Essential Oils for Pregnancy Set Here

Why Do I Use DoTERRA?

You are probably expecting me to say I use DoTerra because it is the only good oil company and anything else is just the worst. Well, I’m not.

While there are certainly oil companies with products I wouldn’t touch with a 10 ft pole, there is more than one oil producer making a decent oil. That said, I LOVE my DoTerra oils and after years of using many brands, I have become a loyal customer. Here’s why:

1. DoTERRA oils bless people on both sides of the bottle. There’s no doubt that essential oils bless the lives of people who learn how to use them responsibly. DoTERRA is invested in creating a healthier world altogether. This commitment is the number one reason I’m obsessed with this company. DoTERRA purposefully partners with thousands of small farmers around to world with a direct purpose to create jobs and reduce poverty by investing in small farming communities. Learn more about DoTERRA’s co-impact sourcing here.
2. DoTERRA oils are high quality and have brought me and others results. Now, I get annoyed when I hear people say all oils were ineffective and garbage until xyz company was founded. But I do appreciate that DoTERRA has third-party testing and is free from synthetic fillers. Find out more about why DoTERRA here.
3. I love that DoTERRA allows me to invest my success into others. I remember before I became a doula, blogger, and wellness advocate that I wanted to stay home with my kids. It was hard financially to give up my job in finance, but we made it work. I love that through DoTERRA, I can help support other moms going through their own transition. As a blogger, I have complete freedom to align with companies I fully support. DoTERRA’s business model gives me an opportunity to invest my time, resources and success into others who are looking to grow.

How to Use DoTERRA Essential Oils In Pregnancy

There are several ways to use oils when you are pregnant. First, I want to point out, that ingestion is NOT one of them. Sure, there are a few rare exceptions to this, but in general, do not ingest oils during pregnancy.

1. Use oils in a carrier oil or cream to massage onto your skin.
2. Add a few drops of oils to Epsom salts and enjoy a long warm bath.
3. Diffuse oils into the air and enjoy the scents and benefits as you breathe them in.
4. Use oils to replace things like hand-sanitizers with hormone effect ingredients, toxic household cleaners, etc.

Watch for my article on Essential Oils Safety in Pregnancy coming soon which will go over exactly how to use each method!

Check Out My Guides

If you have a specific problem you are looking to address, check out our guides. These give everything you need to know to know exactly how to use oils to aid with a specific problem.

• Strengthening and toning your uterus
• How to sleep better in pregnancy even if you have to pee constantly
• Depression in pregnancy: the ultimate guide to natural solutions that can help you heal
• Restless leg syndrome is real and moms are no longer ignoring it
• Morning sickness symptoms revealed. Stop feeling sick and start enjoying your pregnancy

Each of these guides will go over nutrition, lifestyle and essential oil tips that can help you address your pregnancy problems. Here’s to simple changes and feeling blissful in pregnancy!

Doterra Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to buy something every month?

No! Like most companies, DoTERRA does have a fabulous royalty rewards program. If you are purchasing monthly, you are eligible to get many rewards points and free products. This program is 100% optional. About half of my customers use it.

Will I be asked to sell anything?

No! Selling oils is an option and a good fit for some moms. I love mentoring mothers and helping them be successful in their home businesses. However, I feel that most women are not successful if they have been pushed into selling, if they don’t have a financial or impact need or they don’t have proper support. Because of that, I like to set up those who want to sell oils up for success by leading a mentorship program once a year. Contact me to be added to the waitlist. Once on the list, you will be alerted when the program opens and applications are being accepted.

The post 5 Lifechanging Ways to Use Essential Oils for Pregnancy appeared first on She Births Bravely.

source https://shebirthsbravely.com/essential-oils-pregnancy/