leg cramps

[sparklemom]

is anyone getting leg cramps? oh my word! i awoke abruptly out of a deep sleep a few nights ago to instense pain in my left leg calf area. it literally made me cry, and it still hurts to walk on it now. the cramp lasted several minutes. it happened a few weeks ago on the same leg though that time it was almost the whole leg that was cramping. it's left me somewhat paranoid about getting them now. this is the worst i can remember it being...previous pregnancies i've had them, but not to this extent.

[babz]

Are you getting enough calcium and potassium? I've heard low levels of either can cause muscle cramping.

[quetinha]

My first pregnanacy I never experienced this - but this time around it's at least 5 nights a week. Usually I'll cramp in one leg and a short time later the other. I've tried the supplements and nothing has worked for me. The only thing that helps is to wake up enough before it gets bad to start stretching it out. If I can get it before it's that bad it won't hurt into the day.

[momuveight2B]

I have them too. What helps me is drinking water at night, then of course I have to pee more often but at least I am hydrated and not having as many aches and pains. I also make sure to get some exercise everyday, most days I get to swimming but sometimes it is just walking around WalMart. Stretches help too a few times through the day.

[katsam]

Calcium Citrate. My midwives put all their clients on it. I've only had cramps when I have forgotten to take it.

[123]

Absolutely take some extra calcium. With my first I didn't really have any leg cramps, but with #2 and with this one I do. I add a little more calcium and then I don't get them anymore. I think the body requires more as pregnancy progresses and I see leg cramps as a sign of needing more calcium. My midwife also said that there is evidence that having enough calcium helps the uterus contract more effectively. I take calcium citrate.

[Lady Lilya]

Mine was not a matter of mineral deficiency or dehydration. For me it was a matter of circulation being cut off while I slept.

Try this: When you wake up in the night to turn over or whatever, your impulse will be to stretch your legs as your blood flow returns to your legs. DO NOT STRETCH. Instead, wiggle your toes and ankles for 30 seconds or more to help the blood get back in there. After the blood flow is restored, you should be able to stretch without a cramp.

It seems to me that it is futile to up the level of minerals in your blood if the problem is that there IS NO BLOOD in your legs.

Anyway, I found this method to work great for me. I only got these cramps a few times around the beginning of June before I figured it out. I only have had one cramp since, and it was when I stupidly stretched my legs before restoring blood flow. I took that as confirmation that my method was the reason I hadn't been getting cramps.

[michellemk]

I had intense cramps in my legs the other night. I woke up screaming to both legs cramping. They still hurt today! We were camping, and I forgot to take my prenatal vitamin. We were also sleeping on an air mattress in a tent, and I think I was sleeping on my back when it happened. It was the first time it happened to me this pregnancy, happened a bunch last time.

[Kiddoson]

I have had the same expierience as Lady Lilya, not stretching does prevent the cramping. i also read that it can mean not enough calcium or too much. I started on electrolites when it first started happening and that did prevent them. But I can tell when it will cramp so i don't stretch, once I am up I can stretch all I want.

[gratefulmum]

Originally Posted by Lady Lilya

Mine was not a matter of mineral deficiency or dehydration. For me it was a matter of circulation being cut off while I slept.

Try this: When you wake up in the night to turn over or whatever, your impulse will be to stretch your legs as your blood flow returns to your legs. DO NOT STRETCH. Instead, wiggle your toes and ankles for 30 seconds or more to help the blood get back in there. After the blood flow is restored, you should be able to stretch without a cramp.

It seems to me that it is futile to up the level of minerals in your blood if the problem is that there IS NO BLOOD in your legs.

Anyway, I found this method to work great for me. I only got these cramps a few times around the beginning of June before I figured it out. I only have had one cramp since, and it was when I stupidly stretched my legs before restoring blood flow. I took that as confirmation that my method was the reason I hadn't been getting cramps.

:
It took me until halfway through my second pregnancy to learn this. You'll be surprised at how quickly you can train yourself to not stretch immediately. You may be halfway in dreamland at the time, but after several of these leg cramps even your subconscience will catch on quickly.
I tried calcium supplements all through pg#1 to no avail. When I mentioned this to my MW she said to then give a banana before bed a go. I've yet to see if the potassium increase will help, but boy has the not stretching made a HUGE difference this pg!

[PiePie]

i get these. my mw recommends more calcium in the form of supplements -- i am going to start. i am already consuming a lot of dairy.

i do lunges during the day to keep stretched, and when i wake up with them i flex my toes and have dh massage where it hurts.

sucks, though.

[zofranland]

i try to eat a banana before i got bed!