Leg Cramping

tseguin · February 2013

Does anyone have any tips that I can do to help prevent this. I had 3 in a row 2 nights ago and a few prior to that throughout the pregnancy. They pretty much put me in tears! They hurt so much when they happen. And then the pain lasts in my calf for days! Could this be due to not having enough water, or, has people found stretching the night before helpful? Anyone else experiencing these bad?

Mrs MoJoRisin · February 2013

Stay hydrated and bananas. I think it has something to do with a lack of potassium. I had them all the time during my first pregnancy. This time I am so afraid to stretch wrong that even in the middle of the night I remember to flex my foot upwards before stretching out. The pain really can last for days!

mon.petit.chou · February 2013

potassium could be the culprit, or magnesium. I used to take a magnesium supplement daily when I got them really bad and it helped.

kimba1976 · February 2013

Mrs MoJoRisin:
Stay hydrated and bananas. I think it has something to do with a lack of potassium. I had them all the time during my first pregnancy. This time I am so afraid to stretch wrong that even in the middle of the night I remember to flex my foot upwards before stretching out. The pain really can last for days!

This. My doctor and an L&D nurse both told me to drink more water than you think is necessary (100oz per day) and one or two bananas a day. It's helped me quite a bit.

tseguin · February 2013

Wow, I didn't realize about banana's! I knew normally if you are not drinking enough water you can cramp up, but I wasn't sure if that could be the case in this situation since I hear leg cramping during pregnancy is pretty common and figured it was just one of those joyous pregnancy symptoms. Thanks Ladies, guess I will having a banana today at work! I am willing to try anything at this point to avoid that pain again. Especially since it happened litterally 3 times in a row!

ninambutler · February 2013

I had a few weeks where I woke up every night in the middle of the night crying from the pain. It would be a severe cramp for just a few minutes and then fade to that horrible soreness that lasts for days. For the past week or so I haven't had any. I didn't make any changes, so I don't know why this happened. Fingers crossed this happens for you!

ETA: I tried bananas and over hydrating and none worked for me. Hope it helps you.

Beelay · February 2013

I had this frequently when pregnant with DS. I was told to drink some Powerade/Gatorade (just a little before bed). I also went for massages weekly, and that really helped too. Staying hydrated helps, and massaging my legs helped. Be careful with too much potassium (bananas), because they can cause the cramps too!

CBomback · February 2013

I have the same issue. I now always drink 4-8 oz of water every time I get up to pee in the middle of the night, and it works. I may have to get up more frequently, but I'd rather be getting up to pee than because I'm having a giant charlie horse! As if I'd sleep through the night anyway....

tseguin · February 2013

CBomback:
I have the same issue. I now always drink 4-8 oz of water every time I get up to pee in the middle of the night, and it works. I may have to get up more frequently, but I'd rather be getting up to pee than because I'm having a giant charlie horse! As if I'd sleep through the night anyway....

True about waking up during the night lol, but at least pee'ing doesnt' cause unbearable pain and it is easier to go to sleep after you wake up to pee! I am going to try to drink more water and try to add banana's into my food intake...but not too much as I don't want to get them from eating too much potassium.

Katie Trippe · February 2013

There was a great stretch that was shown in the book What to Expect. You stand near a wall, place your feet forward about shoulder width apart and lean forward with your hands against the wall and your feet flat on the floor to stretch out your calves. It works best when you are bare foot. I was getting leg cramps almost every night until I started doing that stretch for about 3-5 minutes before I went to bed. Also, if you wake up with one it helps to release the cramp quicker if you can stand up.

CBomback · February 2013

Also wanted to add: if you feel the urge to stretch in bed in the middle of the night, make sure you stretch with your toes flexed, not pointed. For some reason, toes pointed = charlie horse, toes flexed = decently satisfying stretch. But I'm going to try the stretch PP mentioned before bed too!

tseguin · February 2013

I was wondering if getting right up out of bed woudl help when it happened. I will make sure to try that next time. I am going to start the stretches before bed. CBomback, I noticed that and heard of pointing before leading to the charlie horse....so the other night I tried to flex as much as I could....except when I let the flex go the Charlie horse got bad again. I was probably in a lose lose situation the other night. Stupid Charlie horse's!

Lovebug315 · February 2013

I've had these off and on as well. Could be potassium or calcium. My doc recommended TUMS (calcium carbonate) to help. Also, staying hydrated & stretching before bed (especially if I've been on my feet a lot).

MrsArrants · February 2013

I haven't been getting the leg cramping, but I do get a lot of restless leg syndrome I guess is what it's called.

For leg cramps, I've also heard the hydration and bananas trick. Just try not to overdo it on the bananas because it can cause mild cramping.

Oddly enough I've been realizing that if I don't drink enough water close to bedtime I don't wake up to pee in the middle of the night.... because I can't get comfortable enough to fall asleep to start with.

But if I chug water before bed and get up in an hour or so to pee, I come back to bed and suddenly it's the most comfortable place and I can fall asleep easily and stay asleep.

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