Leg cramp/spasm

tinkerbell09

Just wondering if anybody has been experiencing leg cramping/spasms at night?

For the last week almost every night I have been waking up with horrible leg cramping. I can actually feel the calf muscles sticking out of the back of my calf because they are so tight.
Normally I have to get up and walk and stretch it out to get it to go away.
But it is pretty painful. It takes quite a bit to get me crying, but last night was pretty close to being in tears.

If you have experiences this, any advice how to prevent this or to ease it up quicker? Or what causes this?
I have never experienced this until now.

MKE6115

Yes with all of my pregnancies I have had them. Nothing really seemed to help me, but you could try some stretches before bed. And getting up and "walking them off" gets rid of them quickly. I will also stand on my tippy toes to try to stretched my calves out more. 

It is normal. I think I was once told it was due to low potassium and to eat bananas but I do not think they really help. 

kaileyc

Drink more water. Also try coconut water. It has potassium and magnesium which really help with muscle spasms. Flex your foot up, don't point your toes, when you're having a spasm. Hope it helps. 

tinkerbell09

Coconut water makes sense! Thanks!

The bananas I tried. Haven't noticed much of a difference and I can only eat so many bananas till I get sick of them.  LOL

MeggM1

Eat bananas - lots of potassium. I had leg cramps in the middle of the night with my last pregnancy and eating at least a banana a day got rid of them. Lots of water helps too!

kieannb

Increase calcium and magnesium intake, drink more water and stretch... when you get them, as painful as it is, put your feet either flat on the floor or flat against the wall and they go away faster

sillyrocky

Oh my, I have had them with both pregnancies, and really badly.  My husband will help pull my foot up when they're so bad that I can't get out of bed to stand on the floor.  I try to keep my water intake up.  Not much has helped. I hope it gets better for you!

TheEditor

All of the above, plus I find I get them more when I'm slacking on exercise.  I know for me I need to keep up with my walking and stretching consistently.

RachelEric

Ugh I hate the leg cramps!  I've only gotten it twice so far this pregnancy, but man do they suck!  I eat tons of bananas, drink lots of water, and try to stretch my calves before going to bed.  Haven't gotten one in a few weeks, but I go to bed every night fearing that I will wake up with one of those leg cramps. 

StaceySMC13

I just started taking magnesium for leg cramps.  I've only had one tablet so far but I'm really hoping it helps.  I had a cramp so bad on Sunday morning that I still feel sore walking on it today.  

finhope11

THIS!

northhillsbride

Yup - my calves are sore today, actually, from Saturday night's fits.

Increase your water and/or Gatorade intake. My OB also has me taking a Magnesium pill before bed (on an empty stomach).

I had a vitamin panel run at my last appt. and my PCP pulled the results for me on Saturday (I was there for a viral infection in my mouth). It turns out my Calcium level is very low - and that can apparently cause leg cramps as well.

So, he has me taking two 500mg calcium tabs.

Stretching, as well. Good luck - I, literally, feel your pain!

mmojica129

kaileyc:

Drink more water. Also try coconut water. It has potassium and magnesium which really help with muscle spasms. Flex your foot up, don't point your toes, when you're having a spasm. Hope it helps. 

This!!  Its been such a hot summer here in NJ and everytime I go to a bbq I end up getting leg cramps at night because I am dehydrated.  Try upping your water intake. 

mmojica129

kaileyc:

Drink more water. Also try coconut water. It has potassium and magnesium which really help with muscle spasms. Flex your foot up, don't point your toes, when you're having a spasm. Hope it helps. 

This!!  Its been such a hot summer here in NJ and everytime I go to a bbq I end up getting leg cramps at night because I am dehydrated.  Try upping your water intake. 

Kaybaby02

I am on my 3rd and I had this issue with all 3.  My doctor said to drink more water but it still did not help with mine.  They only way I could get it to stop was to point my toes up and pull my foot all the way back as far as I could.  This seemed to help faster than getting up and walking around for me.  Good luck.