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February 2012 Moms
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Charley horse?

sparks2987sparks2987 member
in February 2012 Moms

I had saw a post about Charley horses the other day, but now I cant find it or even remember what board it was on.

Last night I was woken up 4 times with a Charley horse in my leg or foot, or both. Ouch!

I googled what causes them in pregnant wemon, what help that was... it basically said, drink more water you could be dehydrated, your muscles could be tired from carrying the extra weight or baby could be on  a nerve...

Anyone else get these? what has helped you?

How much water are you drinking? I think I am drinking enough, but maybe not, I drink about 80 ozs to 120 ozs per day, I also eat alot of fruit.

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Re: Charley horse?

  • greeneyed_bridegreeneyed_bride member

    I wake up with cramps in my calves a lot. I drink a ton of water during the day, but since you can't be drinking water all night, I think it's pretty common at night. In "The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy," the author said that she had them at night with all four of her pregnancies and that every pregnant woman she's ever known has gotten them at night at some point. So I think it's very common. 

    When I get the cramps, I just flex my foot upward (pointing my toes upward toward my knees), and they go away pretty quickly.  

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  • AshleyAnthony2BAshleyAnthony2B
    I woke up to one two nights ago, and was full out screaming before I was even awake. It was so painful. I drink water constantly, am being careful about being well rested, and really try to stay off my feet as much as possible (desk  job, I drive, so no walking commute or transit, and then I'm only up to do basic housework at home), so I'm not sure what is causing it. Mine have been in my calf, and I found that although your tempted to not move it/can't move it, you need to grab your foot and actually pull it up or stand on it and lean forward, it REALLY loosens it immediately. It's extremely painful, but worth it.
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  • mle5dmle5d member
    imagegreeneyed_bride:

    I wake up with cramps in my calves a lot. I drink a ton of water during the day, but since you can't be drinking water all night, I think it's pretty common at night. In "The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy," the author said that she had them at night with all four of her pregnancies and that every pregnant woman she's ever known has gotten them at night at some point. So I think it's very common. 

    When I get the cramps, I just flex my foot upward (pointing my toes upward toward my knees), and they go away pretty quickly.  

    This. I drink a ton during the day, but value my sleep at night, so I cut myself off before bed. It's been working lately, so now I just get charley horses when I wake up, but they go away pretty quickly. Stretching does help, as does just taking things slowly getting moving.

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  • JessieJHJessieJH member
    I've gotten a few at night as well. I drink about 2 litres of water a day, but have also heard that it could be due to dehydration. When I've gotten the charley horses I've been 'ok' about drinking my water, but have noticed that some days I wasn't so good at it and on some days I'd skipped my prenatal vitamin. So, I've been trying to be better about doing both the water and vitamin religiously.
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  • greeneyed_bridegreeneyed_bride member
    imagemle5d:

    This. I drink a ton during the day, but value my sleep at night, so I cut myself off before bed. It's been working lately, so now I just get charley horses when I wake up, but they go away pretty quickly. 

    Exactly! Plus, I was getting pretty bad heartburn at night, so my OB told me not to drink water before bed, It has helped the heartburn, but I get cramps more frequently. It's a no-win situation! 

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  • susie2242susie2242 member
    imagegreeneyed_bride:

    When I get the cramps, I just flex my foot upward (pointing my toes upward toward my knees), and they go away pretty quickly.  

    this. I wake up alot during the nigth and just do that anyway. I think its prevented them because I haven't gotten one yet and I got them alot with DS1.

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  • lbsundelbsunde

    I have only had them a couple times, I get in the recommended 8 glasses of water a day, sometimes a couple more. 

    I noticed mine only happened when I was waking up the other morning stretching, other than that I don't usually get them too much. 

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  • moatsiemoatsie

    An extra calcium supplement has taken my completely away.  I also drink a ton of water.  They are brutal!

     

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  • elliscnelliscn

    I have NOT asked the doc about this, because I've only had one or two little calf cramps so far, but when I was in high school, coach used to make everyone eat bananas because of the potassium in them to help with muscle cramps.  Sometimes hubby goes through phases where he gets calf cramps kinda bad, and he takes potassium suppliments to help, and it seems to work. 

    Anyway, PLEASE ask your doc if extra potassium is ok, and if so, then try it out.  Couldn't hurt, right? Smile

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  • sapphirebride06sapphirebride06
    Like PP said, bananas are supposed to help and I had one last night and it was HORRIBLE!  With my DS I woke up yelling out in pain and poor H didn't know what was wrong.  It hurts!  I must have been stretching in my sleep but that woke me up pretty quick.  I haven't been as good on my water intake the last few days so I'm trying to remedy that today.  I only had one that I remember with my DS so I'm hoping last night was a fluke - it's hard to not stretch in my sleep as I change positions but that was pretty damn painful.  Not a fun way to wake up.
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  • LAIMLAIM

    bananas do help! I try to eat one every day and have not gotten leg cramps this pregnancy like I did with my last.
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  • Loiacona9010Loiacona9010 member
    In addition to not enough water they can be caused by not enough calcium or potassium in your system.  I was getting them every night and in the morning for about a week, and ever since I've been drinking/eating more dairy I haven't gotten them since. 
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  • Mrs_Est11.11.06Mrs_Est11.11.06

    I have gotten a few since BFP but this week I had 2 one in each leg and I could barely move.  but placing my feet flat on the floor or walking helps.  My OB said eat more bananas, the body needs more magnesium, and do not take a calcium supplement without consulting your OB, Magnesium relaxes muscles, while calcium stimulates muscles to contract.

    C&P: https://www.babycenter.com/0_magnesium-in-your-pregnancy-diet_659.bc

    "Magnesium also helps build strong bones and teeth, regulates insulin and blood sugar levels, and helps certain enzymes function. Research indicates it may help control cholesterol and irregular heartbeats. Magnesium may also be helpful in reducing leg cramps. "

     


     

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