Leg Cramp

Waterlilly11

You know... the sleep-disturbing charlie horses or just that radiating feeling of awfulness that stays in your leg for a few mins?!... ( Well I woke up from a dead sleep with one on Mon. When I actually got out of bed it was still sore, so I was assuming I pulled a muscle or something. Well here we are on Wednesday and is it still hurts! I googled (ah! I know, I know) 'pregnancy leg cramps', and now I'm concerned this could be a blood clot. Calling the dr in the am- but I don't think this is ER worthy...or is it? Thoughts? Pain relief suggestions? Tiramisu for your help...

Waterlilly11

persephonerose

I had horrible leg cramps with my first pregnancy. DH had to massage my legs every night before bed and I increased my potassium intake (mostly by eating bananas).

If you really think you might have a blood clot I would call the after hours nurse at your OB's office or the nurse line through your insurance company. 

IrishHoney123

Those painful charlie horses are common in pregnancy, and they do feel like a pulled muscle for a couple days. If you don't have any warmth, redness, or swelling in that leg I think it's unlikely to be a blood clot. That said, you should always trust your instincts and err on the side of caution....

Emerald27

No suggestions regarding a blood clot. I might call your doc and just tell them what happened/ see if they think it warrants a visit.

I used to get awful leg cramps in college. Like wake you up thinking you were dying leg cramps. I swear that hurt more than labor contractions! My mom once told me that if you stand up immediately and put all your weight on that foot, flat on the floor, and stretch your leg straight, it can end them sooner. It helps if you have a cold floor, like hardwoods or tile. I tried it in school and it really helped!

MorganWP

I got leg cramps with DD and I'm starting to get them again. I've had ones where my legs are sore for a couple days afterward. I get SO to massage them before bed or I do some leg stretches. 

As far as it maybe being a blood clot, I wouldn't think it is. But if you're concerned, definitely ask your doctor about it.

ETA: Also, I've heard that cream or lotion with peppermint in it is supposed to help but I haven't tried it. 

Raesofsunshine1

If it was a clot, like pp said it would feel hot and be red.

I read in a pregnancy book that whenever you get a charlie horse, bend your feet at your ankles and pull your toes in towards you. It stops them almost immediately for me.

LaDyBostonRN

IrishHoney123 said:

Those painful charlie horses are common in pregnancy, and they do feel like a pulled muscle for a couple days. If you don't have any warmth, redness, or swelling in that leg I think it's unlikely to be a blood clot. That said, you should always trust your instincts and err on the side of caution....

Agreed, your leg would most likely be red, and/or warm, swollen. ALSO, my calf muscles are sore for about a week after a charlie horse. I literally limp around the first two days. I had one the other night (and thought I've had them in the middle of the night before) this time I surprised myself by yelling out, loud, and waking DH. I even started to cry. HORMONES!!!

karenmichelle27

I have them too. One last week happened and I had pain for a few days. Then it went away.

archi35

Me too - I've started a few nights ago.  I mainly get them when I'm waking up/stretching first thing.  Standing up immediately (though not what you want to do) does seem to give immediate relief.  I've tried bananas and gatorade and neither are helping.  My OB says to do more yoga and stretching at night, but so far not much seems to work

Saragoeswest

Had a grand one last night that is still a little sore. I'll try some of these tips to see if the frequency goes down.

TheaRae

Oh goodness! These are the worst. I find that if I make sure to drink 100-120 oz of water daily accompanied with streching before bed in the evenings it really helps to aliveate any muscle cramps or mild spasms I have had throughout the day. I had a really terrible cramp in my calf a few weeks back and it was tender for about 3 days... I would defenatly mention it to your doctor, but its prolly just another perk of growing that sweet little baby.

JessAnnJ

I jumped out of bed in the middle of the night because I started to get a charlie horse and standing up stops the pain. For me my muscles get achy in th middle of the night and I stretch them which causes the Charlie horse. I would have DH use a massager on my calves during the end of my last pregnancy but it seems like I'm getting to that point sooner.

jarc2009

I've had a couple painful charlie horses this pregnancy- one was so bad it lingered for a few days. I noticed it happened when I had accidentally rolled over to my back so now I am trying harder to be supported so I dont do that. I read they are common and I think the painful ones last for a few days. I also have read blood clots you normally would see something- but you should definitely call your doctor if you are worried! I am a big proponent of calling my doctor to ease my worries!

golfingdarwinfish

I had one in each calf last night.   @-)  Joy.  I get them quite often, and some do cause tenderness for days.  DVT is much more serious and usually presents much differently - swelling (especially under a specific point), hot to the touch, red/discolored skin in the leg in question....  If it will make you feel better call your ob, but I wouldn't run to the ER unless you have the swelling and heat.  For relief, stretch and massage the area.

cmcookaln

I have had low potassiums and have been dealing with legs cramps for about 8 years.  I actually take a potassium supplement every day.  When I have had a particularly severe leg cramp, my leg has been sore for a day or two after.  I try to include a lot of natural sources of potassium as well as take my supplement each day.  Bananas, avocados, orange juice, yogurt, trail mix, and potatoes are all good sources of potassium.

lrobi13

I had a terrible three-peat one Memorial Day weekend.  One ended and the next started and then the next.  My leg was sore for a whole week after that.  I started eating bananas almost everyday and increasing my milk intake as well.  I have not had another full blown one since and the few that have threaten to start quickly go away if I stretch my leg (which they always occur around 3am).

eacaldw

I feel your pain!  The exact same thing woke me up on Saturday night.  It was terrible.  I was sore until Wednesday.  My husband is a doctor and he was concerned about a blood clot, but just wanted me to watch it closely to make sure that the soreness subsided.  Maybe give it a little more time?  Hope you are feeling better soon!

jusmale

I've started waking up with leg cramps lately and I didn't think twice and just blamed it on pregnancy symptoms. I haven't had cramps like this in my legs since I was a kid and I hope they don't last very long!

HappyCianci

Raesofsunshine1 said:

If it was a clot, like pp said it would feel hot and be red. I read in a pregnancy book that whenever you get a charlie horse, bend your feet at your ankles and pull your toes in towards you. It stops them almost immediately for me.

This. I have literally never had a bad charlie horse since my grandma, of all people, shared this trick with me many years ago.

Magnesium also helps. I've recently started taking a slightly higher dose of magnesium as a supplement to help manage leg cramps and restless legs at night. It makes a big big difference for me. Feel better!

mcclan03

I wake up with restless legs almost every single night between 4-6AM. It is so uncomfortable. It's worse when I've exercised or walked a lot, which sucks. Like I need a disincentive for exercise.

The thought of DVTs are pretty scary, and though they're more common for pregnant women than those who aren't, they still aren't that common. Leg cramps and lingering soreness are. Other posters have covered DVT symptoms, so I won't, but I would monitor and see your doc if it gets worse or doesn't subside, or if you feel truly worried. 

Just a note, massage is great for cramps/soreness but not good at all for DVTs or clots. Most things I've read say avoid, or be really careful, with leg massage during pregnancy.