| The circulatory system undergoes several changes | | | | This reaches its lowest point some time in the middle |
| during pregnancy. One of the most | | | | of pregnancy and then starts to rise till it reaches |
| frequently-encountered problems which women face | | | | normal level at the end of pregnancy. While the |
| during the second and third trimesters is bad circulation | | | | cardiovascular and the nervous system can handle |
| in pregnancy, particularly leg cramps. This sudden | | | | these changes, at times it fails to do so and it can |
| stiffening of the leg muscles can sometimes be very | | | | result in a feeling of dizzy and light-headed. So long as |
| painful. The reasons for developing such cramps during | | | | you do not faint as a result of this light-headedness |
| pregnancy are not clear; however changes in blood | | | | there is no cause for worry. You just have to lie down |
| circulation during pregnancy, the stress on the leg | | | | so that you do not fall down and hurt yourself. If you |
| muscles caused by carrying the extra weight of the | | | | are in a place where lying down is not possible, you |
| baby are cited as probable factors contributing to the | | | | could sit down for some time and try to put your head |
| cramps. | | | | between your knees. |
| While bad circulation in pregnancy does not pose a | | | | One of the ways you could prevent this feeling of |
| threat, if it is accompanied by redness, swelling or a | | | | light-headedness during pregnancy is to always try to |
| warm feeling, you should consult your doctor. There | | | | lie down on your left, as then it is easy for the blood to |
| are very simple exercises which could help you | | | | flow to your heart and the brain. Here is some more |
| prevent leg cramps during pregnancy. Stretching your | | | | information on the causes of light-headedness during |
| legs before you go to sleep could help in the reduction | | | | pregnancy and how you can prevent them: |
| of stress on your leg muscles. When you straighten | | | | Never change your body position too fast. For |
| your legs, you must stretch your heels first and do | | | | instance, if you are lying down, do not get up too fast |
| some circular motions with your toes, clock and anti | | | | and if you are sitting, do not stand up with a jerk. |
| clock-wise. While doing the exercises, avoid pointing | | | | When you are stationary in one position, keep on |
| your toes. | | | | twirling your legs from one position to the other. This |
| The other thing you need to avoid is to remaining one | | | | will promote circulation. |
| position, standing or sitting, for a long period of time. | | | | Avoid lying down on your back during the second and |
| Being in one position would restrict the blood flow and | | | | third semesters. This affects the blood circulation |
| can cause circulatory problems. During pregnancy, | | | | negatively. Your heart rate will increase, blood pressure |
| some simple but effective exercises like walking | | | | may drop and you may feel light-headed, dizzy or |
| promotes blood circulation. Leg cramps can also be | | | | nausea. Instead it is safer to lie on your side than flat |
| treated with gentle massage or application of a warm | | | | on the back. |
| towel round the legs | | | | Drink enough fluids and eat properly. When you do not |
| It is not uncommon to feel a bit light-headed during | | | | eat well, your blood sugar level drops and result in your |
| pregnancy. This is due to the fact that during this | | | | feeling dizzy and uneasy. If you do not feel like eating |
| period, the cardiovascular system can undergo some | | | | at the right time, keep on having small quantities of |
| very quick changes, with heart rate going up and the | | | | food at regular intervals. |
| heart pumping more blood per minute. Even the | | | | Iron deficiency anemia is responsible for having fewer |
| quantum of blood in your body increases by 40 to | | | | amounts of blood cells to carry the oxygen to your |
| 45%. During normal pregnancy, you would experience | | | | brain. Make your diet iron-rich so that you have enough |
| a reduction in blood pressure during the early stages. | | | | blood to feed your heart and brain. |