Lower limb cramps during pregnancy refer to the cramping pain in the calves or feet during the late stage (third trimester) of pregnancy. The pain often intensifies at night and during sleep, and it is one of the common complications in the late stage (third trimester) of pregnancy.

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1. Blood Deficiency︰pregnancy late stage [third stage], frequent cramps and pain in the lower limbs, immobility during cramps, especially after falling asleep, or palpitation insomnia, or dreamfulness and easy awakening, tongue texture normal or slightly pale, pulse weak and slippery. Due to the nourishment of the fetus by essence and blood during pregnancy, leading to loss of blood nourishment of the tendons. The key points of differentiation are: frequent cramps and pain in the calves or dorsum of the foot after pregnancy, especially at night and during sleep, tongue texture often pale, pulse thin, slippery, and weak. Treatment should focus on nourishing blood and relaxing the tendons, using the modified Peony and Licorice Decoction.
2. Cold Congealing︰pregnancy late stage [third stage], occasionally with calf cramps, aggravated by cold and relieved by warmth, or fear of cold, or cold limbs, tongue coating white and moist, pulse thin and slippery. Due to cold obstructing the meridians, causing poor circulation of blood in the lower limbs. Clinical manifestations include: cramps or pain in the calves or feet, aggravated by cold and relieved by warmth, or cold body and limbs, white and moist tongue coating, thin and slippery pulse. Treatment should focus on warming the meridians and dissipating cold, invigorating blood and soothing sinews. The recommended formula is Cinnamon Twig Decoction with modifications.

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1. 《Annotations on the Furen Liangfang·Pregnancy Section》: "A pregnant woman with limbs unable to stretch, taking a medicine to dispel wind-dryness and blood, experienced severe enuresis and phlegm, and limb spasms. I diagnosed it as liver fire and blood dryness, and used the Eight Precious Ingredients Decoction, adding fried black Skullcap Root as the main ingredient, assisted by the Uncaria Decoction, and she was stabilized. Later, due to anger, the previous symptoms recurred, with blood in the urine, chills and fever, insomnia, and poor appetite. Using Uncaria Powder with Gardenia and Bupleurum stopped the bleeding, and using the Modified Xiaoyao Powder alleviated the chills and fever and restored sleep; using the Six Gentlemen Decoction with Peony Root and Uncaria improved appetite and gradually stabilized her condition."