are calf cramps a sign of labor?
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Active labor and transition You may feel each contraction wrap around your body. They may start at your back and move around your torso to your abdomen. Your legs may also cramp and ache. If you suspect you're in active labor, you should call your doctor and consider heading to the hospital.
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The muscles and ligaments that support your uterus are being pulled and stretched in all directions during pregnancy. This can cause occasional cramping. The pain might be mild or sharp. It might be particularly noticeable when you make a quick move, get up out of a chair, cough or sneeze.
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Cramps are also quite normal during early pregnancy. You might feel these cramps as a mild pressure or a quick sharp pain.
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Even though mild cramps are a normal part of pregnancy, you should still talk to your doctor about your discomfort. If you begin to see spotting or bleeding along with your cramps, it could be a sign of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.
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Leg cramps may be caused by the additional weight gain of pregnancy and changes in your circulation. Pressure from the growing baby may also be placed on the nerves and blood vessels that go to your legs. This pressure or pinching may be the cause of your leg cramps.
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If you have a cramp, these actions may provide relief: Stretch and massage. Stretch the cramped muscle and gently rub it to help it relax. For a calf cramp, put your weight on your cramped leg and bend your knee slightly.
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['You have strong and regular contractions. A contraction is when the muscles of your uterus tighten up like a fist and then relax. ... ', 'You feel pain in your belly and lower back. ... ', 'You have a bloody (brownish or reddish) mucus discharge. ... ', 'Your water breaks.']
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In the very early stage you might not even know you're in labor. You might feel some menstrual-like cramps, or a bloated, constipated feeling, or a pain that starts in the back and moves across to your abdomen. Gradually the discomfort will grow into sharp pains that become more regular and intense.
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Other Signs: You may feel pelvic and rectal pressure, have hot flashes and/or chills, have cold feet, and feel nauseous or even vomit. You may feel overwhelmed, and it's also normal to feel discouraged, as though labor will never end.
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There are some theories, though. Leg cramps during pregnancy might be caused by fatigue, the uterus pressing on certain nerves, or decreased circulation in the legs from the pressure of the baby on blood vessels. They might also be caused by calcium or magnesium deficiency, or dehydration.
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['redness in the knee or calf area.', 'swelling in the knee or leg.', 'a warm area behind the knee or in the leg.', 'pain in the knee or leg, which may feel similar to a cramp.']
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If you have painful leg cramps, you're not alone. Many pregnant women have them in the second or third trimester, often at night. No one knows for sure why women get more leg cramps during pregnancy. It may have to do with changes in blood circulation and stress on your leg muscles from carrying extra weight.
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['Regular or frequent sensations of abdominal tightening (contractions)', 'Constant low, dull backache.', 'A sensation of pelvic or lower abdominal pressure.', 'Mild abdominal cramps.', 'Vaginal spotting or light bleeding.']
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Cramps. Cramps are a typical part of your monthly menstrual cycle, but did you know they could be experienced in early pregnancy, too? Some women notice mild uterine cramps in the first few weeks of pregnancy.
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In This Article Even though cramps can sometimes indicate problems, mild and transient cramping early in your pregnancy is usually normal and not a sign of miscarriage. One such pain is known colloquially as lightning crotch. It is a quick, sharp pain in the vagina.
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Learning the signs of labor before your due date can help you feel ready for your baby's birth. Signs of labor include strong and regular contractions, pain in your belly and lower back, a bloody mucus discharge and your water breaking. If you think you're in labor, call your health care provider.
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Other signs may include: cramping pain in your lower tummy, which can vary from period-like pain to strong labour-like contractions. passing fluid from your vagina. passing of blood clots or pregnancy tissue from your vagina.