Leg cramps, anyone?

MereD19 · November 2008

I have been getting them at least once a week for the past month or so .... (in my calves), and I know it's common when you are pregnant.

Last night I had TWO! One in each calf. It was AWFUL. I woke up yelling and poor DH probably thought I was in labor or something! He was like, "WHAT'S WRONG?!!?"

I remember getting in my weekly emails stuff about being pg and getting cramps, but ignored it. What can you do to help not get them?

elizabethswan · November 2008

My Bradley book said that you need to make sure to get enough sodium (probably more than what you consumed before you got pg b/c the blood volume has increased). And potassium too of course- hopefully you like bananas!

MrsHughesNC · November 2008

Oh yes... I've had my share of these. They HURT! Whenever I get one, I get up and stand/walk immediately. That seems to help. I've also heard standing on a cold floor (like tile) when you get one will help it go away. To prevent them, you can do calf stretches. I do these (though probably not enough), but still get them though.. If I point my toes a certain way, I can almost make myself have one. Yowch!

elizabethswan · November 2008

Oh and I had bad leg cramps in the late 2nd/early 3rd trimester before reading this. I had been making sure to get everything "no salt added" and not adding extra salt to dishes b.c I was worried about getting high BP, but once I stopped doing that, I didn't have any more problems!

elizabethswan · November 2008

haha- third posts' a charm!

Yes, definitely avoid pointing your toes downward- you want to pull them back "up" toward your shins.

unc00ref · November 2008

Eating more potassium is what I've always been told to do to help in this situation. Also -- I try to stretch my calves before bed with hopes that it will eliminate the cramping (doesn't always work, but it can't hurt)!

MereD19 · November 2008

I do like bananas! I guess I will be adding that to my grocery list for next week.

cate1119 · November 2008

I've just started getting them and found that when the first signs of a knot start (the first sign ususally wakes me up), I try to move my big toe and relax my calf.

beshan · November 2008

I eat a banana each night with my vitamin and I can tell on the nights I don't 'cause that is usually when I get them the worst. Luckily, I wake up before they go full blown painful and try to flex my foot as hard as I can. I don't know if I could actually get out of bed, but I imagine standing would probably do the same thing.

starz080 · November 2008

I haven't had leg cramps, but I've had foot cramps. Weird! DH said I need to eat bananas!

raceyrae · November 2008

elizabethswan:

haha- third posts' a charm!

Yes, definitely avoid pointing your toes downward- you want to pull them back "up" toward your shins.

This was a big one for me -- I had to consciously make sure I didn't point my toes while sleeping. This made a big difference! Also as others have said, eat more bananas -- one before going to bed.

MRSGOLABONTE · November 2008

My doc told me to take Magnesium. Bananas help also, but had no more problems after the magnesium.

sala · November 2008

You are going to think I'm crazy but I swear this works. My DH gets really bad leg cramps.

Put a bar of soap under the fitted sheet of your bed near your legs and it helps prevent nighttime cramps. Crazy I know, but it's helped tremendously. He used to wake up with awful ones, but they stopped once we tried the soap.

I don't know if you can drink this while pregnant...but a gulp or two of tonic water makes them go away quickly. This is his daytime remedy.

I've also heard...but not seen in action that a spoonful of yellow mustard helps.

The soap and tonic water I know work! My DH swears by them.

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Leg cramps, anyone?

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