What should a partner do to help alleviate a pregnant woman's leg cramps?

Dorsiflexing the client's foot while extending the knee is an effective way to alleviate leg cramps during pregnancy because this action stretches the calf muscles and can help relieve the tension often associated with cramps. This technique works by positioning the foot in a way that reduces muscle tightness and can provide immediate relief from the discomfort of muscle spasms.

In the context of managing leg cramps, other options may provide comfort but are not as directly effective. For instance, while gently massaging the legs can be soothing and may offer some relief, it doesn’t address the underlying cause of the cramp as effectively as the dorsiflexion technique. Encouraging the partner to walk around may help reduce the likelihood of cramps in some cases but is not a targeted intervention for an existing cramp. Applying heat pads can promote relaxation and improve blood flow, which may help in some instances, but it does not directly alleviate the cramping sensation itself. Hence, while all these methods can contribute to overall comfort, dorsiflexing the foot remains a key technique specifically aimed at relieving leg cramps during pregnancy.