2 Min Read
The Importance of Magnesium During Pregnancy
Whether it is baby number 1 or 4 our pregnancies can be so different from bub to bub. Pregnancy comes with big changes to our body. Ensuring we keep up with the demands of growing a little human is important. There is approximately a 20% loss of Magnesium excreted through the kidneys during pregnancy. Therefore, when pregnant it is important to ensure you have a high magnesium diet and use a quality supplement. Some big indicators you may be lacking in this magic mineral may be; morning sickness, leg cramps, muscle spasms and difficulty sleeping.
Morning Sickness (or All Day Sickness)
The cause of morning sickness is not yet completely understood. What we do know is as progesterone increases our magnesium levels decrease. Increased levels of progesterone and estrogen can contribute to the feeling of nausea and vomiting. Many women find that by restoring their magnesium levels through diet and supplementation, morning sickness symptoms reduce.
Our blood sugar levels can dip during pregnancy too and this dip can also cause morning sickness. Magnesium is known to balance cortisol levels which is the primary hormone that influences our blood sugar levels. Therefore, enough magnesium is going to balance our cortisol and in turn stabilise our blood sugar levels, which can minimise morning sickness. On top of balancing our blood sugar, supplementing with magnesium will ensure we are topping up our stores as our progesterone levels increase.
Making Sure We Get Some ZZZ’s (While We Can They Say)
This isn’t just an issue which effects pregnant women, however as the little bump grows sleep can become very disrupted (sometimes non existent). Topical magnesium for pregnant woman is a safe way to aide quieting the mind. It can ease aches and pains from a stretching belly and ligament pain, and increase sleep efficiency. Salt Lab Magnesium Oil has been dubbed a pregnant woman’s BFF for a reason 😉
Magnesium and Leg Cramps
One of magnesium’s biggest accolades is it helps relax those muscles. You will often hear of people using a magnesium supplement post workout to reduce DOMS. So when those midnight calf cramps hit, make sure your bottle of Magnesium Oil is close by. Leg cramping during pregnancy can be an indicator you are deficient in magnesium and potentially some other key minerals that work hand in hand with Magnesium including Potassium, Calcium, Sodium and Iron.
Topical magnesium application has been proven to significantly reduce painful cramps. You can massage Magnesium Oil directly into the cramping muscles, when they hit for fast relief. We also recommend applying directly onto your belly at night before bed, to help prevent the visit of cramps altogether.
How Much to Use and Is It Safe?
Magnesium oil is perfectly safe to use externally when pregnant and many pregnant women carry this around with them wherever they go! It's always best to check with your doctor first, if you have any concerns or questions.
If you've never used a magnesium oil before, it is applied topically to help reduce painful cramps, stress and improve sleep, which can be frequent needs in pregnancy. Spritz a few sprays onto your belly (or wherever you’re so inclined) and massage in gently.
2 Min Read