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January 2016 Moms
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What is "Normal"?...

tangelic3tangelic3 member
in January 2016 Moms
on two different occasions I have address to my OBGYN my concerns of how much cramping I am having in my body.we are talking, I am so crampy in my legs I have to shuffle my feet when I walk and I can't bend my knees, I can squeeze my hand and not be able to open it, when I am chewing my jaw cramps shut, sometimes my husband has to stand and hold me after I stand up so that my legs can straighten out enough for me to walk. I can only take one step at a time, and even that hurts,my mom stopped by my house yesterday and when my husband took my shoes off she made a comment about how swollen my legs look and my feet you can tell where every stitch was in my shoe, & I wore loose shoes. And i understand that swelling and cramping to an extent is "normal", but I feel like this is taking it to a different level. She tells me it's just normal to be like this, and I don't think my OBGYN quite understands. I am active enough, and also rest enough to where this shouldn't be such a problem for me.

so I want to know,how much cramping are you struggling with, and how do you deal with it or make it feel better? also how do you call out your OBGYN if she is being flippant? TIA
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Re: What is "Normal"?...

  • nackienackie member
    How far along are you? I'm a FTM, so obviously not an expert, but what you're describing seems extreme. So far I've only had very minor cramping and no swelling. Most of my friends that have been pregnant also haven't complained about extreme levels of cramping either. I think you should have another talk with your Dr and see if you can make her understand how concerned you are. Has she taken your other concerns seriously?
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  • bdamico123bdamico123 member
    I am not a doctor, but that does not seem normal.  I am a FTM and very overweight, and I have had swollen feet my whole pregnancy, also cramping in hips, legs, and pelvic area almost the whole pregnancy, but nothing like you are describing!  If you don't feel comfortable, give it another shot with her, and see someone else.
    TTC since June 2014
    BFP: 5/5/15
    First baby due date: 1/14/16




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  • CejimlCejiml member
    STM, that definitely doesn't sound normal. It could be you are magnesium deficient. The only time I cramp in my legs is if I forget to take my magnesium supplement. Also potassium too.your OB should be more proactive though with your concerns.
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  • enkbenkb member

    I agree, you did a good description here with your symptoms, make sure you describe them to your doc with the same level of detail.  Can you maybe make notes during the day about how often you are getting cramps and how serious they feel, so you have some really concrete info to show?  Keep having the conversation until she either convinces you that she understands how severe these are and it really is within the range of normal, or agrees to investigate the cause. 


    I have had some cramping in my feet, but only a few times a day and massaging them gets rid of the cramp within a minute or two.  I'm also having some serious pelvic pain which makes walking difficult when I first stand up, but that is a totally different issue from what it sounds like your are experiencing.  Good luck getting some answers!


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  • Monilee1017Monilee1017 member
    How long has this been going on and how have you told your doctor? Are you calling the nurses line at the office or talking to the doctor in person? If you are talking to the doctor in person are you swollen when telling her? Also do you work? Sorry for asking so many questions. But this does not seem normal. I am not doctor but this is not my first pregnacy and I have had swelling with my past ones. Also one of my friends had it very bad.
    Married 2006
    DS1 2010
    DS2 2013
    DD1 2016
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  • Knottie1452445632Knottie1452445632 member
    edited October 2015
    No it's NOT normal! This is my 4th baby and I can tell you you only generally get swelling at the end & what you have described is very severe indeed. Go to your doctors and DEMAND answers - take your hubby with you to back up your story if they don't believe you!
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  • maureenmcemaureenmce member
    That sounds very extreme to me!  I would ask your dr again about this soon and, if you're not satisfied she's taking it seriously, get a second opinion!
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  • stephanienjerstephanienjer member
    Can you maybe keep a journal for a few days to show her how extreme this is?
    It concerns me that she isn't taking this more seriously. I know for my doctor, it's better to double-check and triple-check everything.

    Can you ask to talk to another doctor in the practice, or perhaps a PA?
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  • MrsB915MrsB915 member
    I agree, it does not sound normal at all. I'm a STM and had very minimal swelling the last few weeks last time around but only when I was on my feet a lot, it was the holidays! Then two days after I delivered DS my feet swelled to look like Sherman Klump in the Nutty Professor!

    I do get stiff at night before bed and DH has to help me off the couch but nothing like what you're talking about.

    I'd be persistent with your doctor and possibly make an appointment with your primary care physician for a second opinion. Sometimes obs hear swelling and stiffness and don't think twice about it. But what you're describing is extreme. Also, drink even more water (I drink 10-12 8oz cups a day) and increase your protein intake, 80-100g is a good goal.

    Good luck! Hope you feel better soon.
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  • BlueyedskyBlueyedsky member
    Potassium and magnesium ftw! That doesn't sound normal; I only get like that if I'm super super low on my salts! Try a Gatorade for mild relief or go buy "no salt" (potassium and magnesium) and use it in some lemonade.
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  • tangelic3tangelic3 member
    nackie said:

    How far along are you? I'm a FTM, so obviously not an expert, but what you're describing seems extreme. So far I've only had very minor cramping and no swelling. Most of my friends that have been pregnant also haven't complained about extreme levels of cramping either. I think you should have another talk with your Dr and see if you can make her understand how concerned you are. Has she taken your other concerns seriously?

    i am 26 weeks
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  • tangelic3tangelic3 member
    thank you all for the support. im 26 weeks, drink close to half a gallon to a gallon daily, ive only gained 20lbs, my weight hasnt been a serious issue. when i describe issues to dr its face to face.

    im concered she is not taking serious as well as some of you have said. thank you for assuring my fears, that this isnt normal.
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  • kgcnyckgcnyc member
    @tangelic3 sorry you're feeling this way...just wanted to throw my two cents in because I feel like I can relate. I don't have the same symptoms, but I am having trouble walking (muscle weakness, rapid heart rate leads to nausea and sweating and me sitting on NYC sidewalks every few steps). Anyway, I've been to my OB, to labor & delivery twice and to two cardiologists (suggested by my OB) and everything is fine with me and the baby. Long story short - if your tests (blood/urine) are coming back normal, try to relax - this may just be "normal" for you and your pregnancy. I've never heard of anyone experiencing what I'm experiencing and my doctor says that maybe this is just what happens to me during pregnancy...good luck and I agree with everyone else, keep going to the doc until you feel comfortable with the answers they are giving you!
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