lower leg cramps

[eggybrokenoff]

last night and today have had painful cramping on and off in my lower legs. im 37 weeks. is this just another lovely pregnancy thing or should I be concerned?

[CoolCat2014]

If in both legs prob not anything serious, and I'd guess its a pref thing, but always worth checking you're getting enough potassium and sodium and that you're well hydrated. I used to get a lot of leg cramps when I was younger, and bananas helped a lot. Also try doing some stretches - sit down and flex your foot all the way up, then all the way down, should help pull out the muscles :)

[moomin35]

I keep getting these too, never suffered from cramping before and it bl**dy kills!

[Pregnantagain7]

Omg it is a bloody nightmare my legs used to ache all the next day as well, they are horrible no advice I'm afraid except keeping hydrated helps I think or I may have just made that up sorry that's not very helpful! :)

[eggybrokenoff]

hmm I do really struggle to keep hydrated - had hg and drinkimg still makes me feel sick. might have to look at that thank you

[ldt87]

Try drinking milk every day, I did this after my midwife said it can be calcium deficiency and didn't have any more for the rest of my pregnancy. Hope it works this time as cramps are horrific and mine got so painful I could barely walk in the day after waking up multiple times a night with both legs cramping xx

[squizita]

Know it sounds painful but standing on them and flexing with weight on the leg helps. You think it will be agony but it makes them go.

Have always had cramps - annoyingly no magic vitamin/mineral bullet for mine either! Had some while pregnant but as I get them anyway unsure if it is connected. Soo painful though!

[llmills]

Oh - I get these far too often and through all three of my pregnancies. They are excruciating - i once had them at the same time in both calves, it hurt so much left me in tears on the bedroom floor.

Hubby normally rubs them very hard until the pain goes, but still feels sore for sometime afterwards. Have read that bananas help - I can't say I eat them often enough to notice a difference. I have noticed that when I stretch my legs it seams to trigger them. Do give bananas a try.

[loopylou52]

I've been getting cramps in my thighs (v weird!) and have just started taking a magnesium supplement as I read that can help (two bananas a day wasn't making a difference). It does seem to have been better the last few days so could be worth a try?

[TeaMakesItAllPossible]

Have a glass of tonic water. Mine were cured instantly by this magic, which was suggested by a lovely systems designer who swore his wife was too. 'Twas amazin.

Don't have too much though. I was so impressed I drank a bottle. I was so itchy I couldn't sleep.

Slimline worked for me.

[squizita]

IIMills yeah I find if I 'stretch' a leg with no pressure on it (i.e. not standing/resting the foot) it can suddenly bring a cramp. Annoyingly exacltly what I do 1/2 asleep in bed!!

Tea WOW. Never heard of this and will definitely try it! And when I'm no longer pregnant will insist on G&Ts as medicinal haha.

[eggybrokenoff]

wow milk really helped! had a big glass at bedtime - helped the heartburn a bit too. not sure I can stomach tonic but might try

[seashellgreen81]

I've been having these too especially in the early hours. Not really found much to help. I assumed its because i'm on my feet for much of the day and I do lots of walking as well. I stretch out my calves before bed and have started to use magnesium spray on my calves before bed. Sometime I think it helps and sometimes I still get the cramps anyway.

[ldt87]

I'm my last pregnancy I was drinking a pint of milk every night before bed. Always seemed to work and such an easy solution. Hope it continues to help xx

[ZingWatermelon]

you need magnesium supplements

I had leg cramps with all of my pgs (currently on #7) and cramps got less frequent/painful when I took Mg tablets.

don't take them at the same time as Iron though

good luck