A number of expectant women can experience shaking at one point or another throughout their nine months or even during their labour, and while generally nothing to be worried out, it can be a little scary.
If you have been experiencing uncontrollable shaking or are worried about it happening while you are giving birth, here's what you need to know about it:
1. You’re not eating enough
While you aren’t eating for two, it is important you get enough nutrients and food for both you and your growing baby. If you don't eat properly you can feel hungry and a little shaky. Make sure you consume small amounts throughout the day - try nibbling on dry crackers or toast if you don’t have an appetite. This will stop your blood sugar levels dropping and therefore stop you feeling weak and light-headed.
2. Your hormones are to blame
Those pesky hormones don’t just make you feel like your emotions are going crazy, they can also make you feel shaky, due to hormone shifts, adrenaline and temperature changes. During labour oxytocin causes your uterus to contract but sometimes it can make your legs and arms shake uncontrollably. When this hormone mixes with your adrenaline, cortisol and epinephrine hormones, it can be a shock to your system, causing you to sweat, vomit, itch and even tremble.
3. What can you do:
While eating enough food can help when you are experiencing shaking due to hunger, a warm bath can help to control and soothe your muscle spasms. There are medications that your doctor can give you if you are experiencing it during labour, but these are ony given as a last resort.
4. When to call a doctor
While there is probably nothing to be worried about, do call your doctor if it doesn’t subside or is accompanied by a headache, bleeding, numbness or tingling.
