I told my midwife about this and she wasn't sure as she had never heard of this. I just got my period back about a year ago (so, I only had about 7 periods before I got pregnant again) and with every period, I had cramps that went down my right side...from my lower back, through my butt, down my thigh and calf all the way to my feet. It was a very distinct cramping and it hurt badly during this time. Since I became pregnant, I have had the exact same thing, except that I am finding that most of the time it occurs for up to 24 hours after sex. It's so painful I can't walk or stand. The only thing that relieves it is to sit reclined or lie down, both of which provide relief instantly.
My midwife suggested I up my calcium intake as that can cause cramps...I had that last pregnancy, but it didn't start until third trimester. I have been taking more calcium than was in my prenatals for over two weeks now and still, exact same symptoms. Anyone ever heard of such?? When it's happening, I don't feel like I'm having braxton hicks contractions either. I'm just so confused. My next step seems to be going to a chiropractor, but I just wanted to see if I was the only one to ever experience such a thing. Thanks!
As a midwife I've been recommending Magnesium supplements for years. It helps Calcium to absorb and can have a soothing effect on muscles and nerves, therefore good for leg cramps and helpful for restless legs and sleepless nights. In the ideal world we would get all the Mg we needed from grains and vegetables but sadly this does not happen for many women. If buying capsules or tablets, look for those which have two or three different kinds of Mg (like Mg Chelate or Mg phosphate etc) plus small amounts of Manganese and Boron. Mg can also help women who have incipient PIH or other signs of unhappy kidneys (see www.drbrewerpregnancydiet.com for info on this).
That doesn't sound like a muscle issue to me, at least not the origin of the cramping. The path that you're describing is where your sciatic nerve is. It sound like, for whatever reason, your sciatic nerve is being irritated and sending impulses down it, which causes that cramping and pain. I'd add the Mag anyway, since it's good for you and it can't hurt, but I'd also get to a chiropractor and get adjusted. I've had sciatic pain with every pregnancy and it is excruciating.
Like PP, I thought your description sounded more like sciatic nerve problems too. I'd take the Mg, but also looking into chiro, a good massage therapist, and yoga or other stretches that help specifically with sciatic nerve problems. I overdid it 2 weeks ago, and for the first time had issues with sciatic nerve (isolated, thankfully!). Not something you want to continue! Good luck!
It's definitely not sciatic. 100% sure of that because I've had that before. It's cramping. I actually googled it last night and found many women suffer from this and some said that it was the ejaculate that caused it and others said it could be the start of the pelvic floor giving out. Some said it went away after birth, although most had it like me where they have it during periods as well. I'm not really sure what to do, but we are first going to try condoms. Thanks for your responses!
Yikes! I hope it's not ejaculate, but at least that's a relatively easy fix, if not ideal. If you are at all concerned about pelvic floor weakening, I would highly suggest finding a pelvic floor physiotherapist. Where I live, they have very long waiting lists. Mention that you are pregnant and ask if you should address this now (before delivery and/or further strain on the pelvic floor just being pregnant) or when you should address it afterwards. I'd also suggest kegals and lower back strengthening, but I"m not sure what is recommended for or against while pregnant. I really hope you figure it out.
I am a bit concerned if it is pelvic floor weakening because obviously, that could get significantly worse after this birth. I have never heard of a pelvic floor physiotherapist, but I will search in my area and see what I can find. I would think it is so odd if it is ejaculate, but I was shocked at how many women said once they used a condom they didn't experience it any more! That is nuts! Anyway, I'm going to continue to research and see what I can find.
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