HOLY leg cramps!

tammura · September 2013

Last night was the first night that I woke up from a deep sleep to the worst pain in both my calves. Talked to my Dr and she said this was normal in the last trimester. I just hope that this doesn't happen every night! YIKES

Can you share any tips with me that help ease the pain a bit? Even now, 6 hours later, my calves have a small pain.

llybeck · September 2013

Potassium helps for some people. I drank Gatorade at night and that sometimes helped. I also tried as much as possible not to fully straighten my legs out at night but also kept my feet propped up. Not the easiest task but it helped a little!

mskatiep · September 2013

Drink lots and lots of water. Also adding some Potassium and Magnesium rich foods to your diet might help. Potatos and bananas are good sources of Potassium. Almonds and cashews are good sources of Magnesium. Good luck!

VegasGal1978 · September 2013

Water, water, water and calf stretches before bed.

msronzio · September 2013

Honestly, I could drink all the water in the world, but the only thing that helped me was having 2 bananas a day. One in the morning and one and night. I barely felt any discomfort.

Make sure if you wake up in discomfort you get up and walk a lap around the bed or something. My cramps were rigid and stiff until I'd just get up. Plus, I always had to pee anyway but still

usafwifey2010 · September 2013

I could drink and eat all the potassium in the world and I still get them what I've found is you have to think fast and literally the moment they hit pivot yourself off the bed flat feet on the ground and toes pointed up the first couple seconds are painful but the relief that comes form stretching them makes it worth it them rub them for a minuet and hide back under the covers. I've unfortunately suffered from leg cramps since i was 6 so I have mastered ways to avoid the most painful parts of them just getting tighter and tighter. Hope this helps mine have been getting better and better but if not during the day while your sitting leave your heels on the ground and lift the rest of your foot up toes pointed this will stretch the muscle as well!

traneshaph · September 2013

When I go them my doc said to flex your feet upward (toward your tummy) with your legs fully extended. It stopped them dead in their tracks every time. Good luck!

FrostMommy · October 2013

my yoga instructor was telling me to drink coconut water instead of regular water... for some its an acquired taste but i personally love it 'with pineapple', its delish... coconut water has a ton more potassium than regular water and you also don't have the constipation issue from eating too many bananas ( i was eating a banana a day and it plugged me bad).... it was hard for me to drink enough water for myself before i was pregnant, now its super important so drinking the coconut water makes it feel less like a chore to drink a ton of water

Meery82 · October 2013

Oh, they're freakin brutal. I was told to flex my foot back as far as I could as soon as I felt one coming on. It worked every time.

dorothyTX123 · October 2013

Some suggested this.. Works like charm.. When u get cramp.. Get up n put ur body weight on that leg where u have cramp... Just goes away

DreamDisney · October 2013

I have these every night. I flex as soon as I feel it coming on. Only thing that helps.

MalJ23 · October 2013

So happy you posted this because every morning when I stretch as I am waking up, I get horrific charlie horses in one or both of my calves!! It is horrible and it makes me not want to stretch which also sucks! Glad I am not the only one and that it is normal!

Angel5218 · October 2013

Uck those are horrible!!! I just started getting them...completely forgot just how painful they were. The only advise I can give is to try to up your water intake and try not to stretch completely when you first wake up (I find its when I wake up and stretch that I get the cramps). Like others have said, when you do get them, point your toes up and towards your stomach to really stretch your calf out. It hurts, but after a moment the cramping will go away.

beck41982 · October 2013

I have found that if I stretch when I first wake up I get them every time. If I wait to stretch until I get up and move a little I wont get them.. Sometimes I forget to wait and they are horrible. Ive also heard to increase water and potassium...

tammura · October 2013

You ladies are amazing. I wanted to share that I also talked my Dr about these and she said to try stretching out my calves before bed, every night. I have done that and it has really helped. When I do get them, the stretching you all have suggested works like a charm.

Thanks for all the help and advice!

snowcrystal02 · October 2013

Lots of water and walking has helped me. Days when I skip walking I usually wake up with cramps.

hkmr · October 2013

I just discovered how amazing compression socks can be, I am no longer waking up with leg cramps and I just started wearing them last week.

Sunshine7117 · October 2013

A banana a day and tons of water!

hbrooks88974 · October 2013

I constantly feel like I'm ABOUT to get a cramp in my legs, thighs, butt (yes). I have been eating bananas but they don't seem to be helping so far. I try to straighten out my feet and stretch my calves when I feel leg cramps coming on. Good luck to you!

Jesslentini · October 2013

Having these daily. Started in the back of the calf, but now even the front shin area cramps. Potassium hasn't really helped, stretching gives temp relief, but nothing has stopped them.

tesskerr · October 2013

I get them a lot, even when not pg. The bending your toes back really does help. I also wake FI up and get him to punch my calf haha. Sounds mean, but it really helps me! Before I knew about the stretching the toes back, they would cripple me for days, I wouldn't be able to walk, and would have to taxi to work (a ten minute walk away) and would have to take codeine just to get through the day sometimes. I have never had any problems now I know to stretch my toes back!

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