Charley Horses?

sammyb1017 · March 2011

Anyone getting these? I have woken up 2 nights in a row with these in my left calf. Is this normal during pregnancy? Are there ways to prevent?

Thanks:)

Telly21182 · March 2011

I actually get them frequently even prepregnancy but the other night I must have had a horrible one that I didn't wake up from because I could barely walk for two days after!

calgal1683 · March 2011

Yup, very normal. I notice that I get them when I stretch in the morning. I just have to reming myself not to, or try and stretch lightly. I remember when I was pregnant with DS#1 the first time I got one. I shot out of bed so quickly that DH thought my water broke!

Sam_Tiff121309 · March 2011

Yes! Apparently it is normal. I have had it happen three times, also in my left leg. My doctor did tell me that one cause could be dehydration. Hope this helps>

absoluteremix · March 2011

My prenatal yoga instructor suggests that we practice keeping our feet flexed (instead of pointed) and this will help with not getting Charley Horses. I've only had one once during my pregnancy and it was before I started my prenatal yoga class. So I don't know, you might try this and hopefully it will help! Often times I find myself lying on the couch watching tv and have my feet completely pointed. So I just try to remember to flex them.

wkfouts · March 2011

Yep! I get them ALL THE TIME. Once you start to feel one coming on... Flex your foot... It will stop it immediately. I flex my foot AS SOON as I feel a Charlie Horse coming on and it goes away right as I start to flex my foot. Don't point your feet, that makes it 10x worse... But FLEX it hard and it will stop. You can also increase the amount of water you drink as well.

sammyb1017 · March 2011

calgal1683:
Yup, very normal. I notice that I get them when I stretch in the morning. I just have to reming myself not to, or try and stretch lightly. I remember when I was pregnant with DS#1 the first time I got one. I shot out of bed so quickly that DH thought my water broke!

THIS! I jumped out of bed last night saying "f***" and my husband immediately thought I was in labor haha.

flows912 · March 2011

The other night I had one in my right leg and was able to stretch it out (flexing your foot up and down) and go back to sleep. Then I woke up about an hour later with one in my left leg.

In my case, I think it's due to dehydration. I get enough water during the day but limit my intake at night. But I'm not sure which is worse -- waking up occassionally for a charley horse or waking up multiple times to pee.

torihinde · March 2011

I, too, just started getting them this week! Same as others - left calf, painful enough to wake me up in the middle of the night. Flexing the foot is working for me, too. I do get a lot of water, but I guess it can't to have more...but I try not to go to bed with a full bladder to avoid the frequent bathroom visits. If it's not one thing it's another!

jo22joj · March 2011

wkfouts:
Yep! I get them ALL THE TIME. Once you start to feel one coming on... Flex your foot... It will stop it immediately. I flex my foot AS SOON as I feel a Charlie Horse coming on and it goes away right as I start to flex my foot. Don't point your feet, that makes it 10x worse... But FLEX it hard and it will stop. You can also increase the amount of water you drink as well.

This. I wake up to them every night, and as soon as I feel it, I flex my foot immediately and it goes away and I'm able to fall back asleep.

11kacey · March 2011

I tried to flex my foot, but the cramp had already taken hold and I was screaming. That was Tuesday. I am still limping.

kpaivel · March 2011

I had this happen to me last night for the very first time!! It freakin hurt!! Didn't know it was linked to pregnancy though...Guess this means I can look forward to more?? Yay.

march2008 · March 2011

I've gotten them twice in the past couple of weeks during the night. I asked the doctor about it at my appt. on Monday - he said it's a normal occurance during pregnancy.

Shine2015 · March 2011

Yes, charley horses are normal during pregnancy. Make sure you are drinking enough water during the day. You could also try calcium supplements. I had to call the doc about an unrelated problem I was having and it was suggested I take calcium for that issue. And then she said it would also help with leg cramps. Lucky for me it is working!

Want a personalized experience?

Charley Horses?

Re: Charley Horses?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards