25 weeks & leg cramps are the bain of my life!

[larnieperty89]

I am 25 weeks pregnant due in March (woohoo) Have had quite an enjoyable 2nd trimester but I have recently been blighted by horrible leg cramps in my calf almost every night...im waking up screeching most nights, the pain is unbearable and I find the next day walking for the first 2 hours is extremely painful in the leg which had the cramp.

Any one else going through this? Can you offer any advice as apparently there isn't too much you can do.

Why am I having them?

Any response would be helpful

Thank you

[Marshpillow]

I have these too, most nights since 18 weeks (22+3 now). My midwife suggested bananas, and I found tonic water a few hours before bed helps.
Try pulling your toes towards your body when it happens, so your toes and closer to your body than your heel. It still takes a few seconds to disappear but it's really helped me as I don't have to sit up and spend ages massaging it to make it stop!

[makeitabetterplace]

My osteopath says it's because your belly is getting heavier and you are leaning forward slightly more all the time, without realising, than normal. This puts a slight stretch on your calf muscles as they pull you back a little to compensate. So by the time you go to bed your calf muscles are very overworked.

She suggested stretching them every night by standing two steps away from a wall, putting your hands on the wall in a sort if standing up push up position and leaning forward until you feel the calf stretch and hold for a few seconds. Do this for a minute or so before bed. It makes the world of difference. I now very rarely get the leg cramps. Don't point your toes and stretch your legs in bed either. If you want to stretch in bed, pull your toes up.

I also eat a banana every day but I thin you'd have to eat something like six for this to make a real difference. Honestly, try the stretches - it's stopped me being afraid to go to sleep!

[TheTruffleHunter]

I use magnesium tablets - presumably that's what's in bananas that helps?

It's definitely made a difference although I'm now at the can't-get-comfy-for-long-unless-in-stranded-turtle-position stage! (37wks)

[Maxis1]

Magnesium does the trick for me too. Without a Magnesium supplement I get cramps all the time. with it, touch wood, have haven't had any since!

[JennyBlueWren]

I've also been getting these. Found some exercises online to try, also been told to avoid standing during the day (walking or sitting is best) as well as magnesium.

[ButEmilylovedhim]

A drink of milk in the evening seems to reduce them for me.

[woodwaj]

I was told indian tonic water (i think) however when it happens to me i just stand up and it immediately stops. Took me a few nights to figure that one out!

[TheScenicRoute]

I had my first calf cramp two nights ago (26+5) and my calf is so tight and painful now. Thanks for all the tips, I'll definately use them.

[Griffomais]

I found it worse when I had bare feet as I kept wanting to stretch and flex my toes. I started wearing little socks to bed and every time I got the urge to flex my toes they'd hit off my socks and I'd stop so did the cramps.

[FruitBadger]

Tonic water worked for me, I don't like bananas I have one glass (about half a pint) with dinner in the evening, if so miss a couple of days by mistake the cramps come back, it's still working now and I'm 40+5

[SomeSunnySunday]

I get this if I don't drink enough, but can keep them at bay by increasing my water intake through the day and evening. Which means I need to get up for the loo instead, but it is still a marginally nicer way to be woken!

[Edenviolet]

Tonic water and osteocare tablets worked for me.

With dc4 I had cramps so horrendous that the consultant suspected dvt. My leg had been cramping for hours it was red and swollen and agony. After two days of osteocare tablets it stopped completely. I drank a lot of tonic water too!

[TheScenicRoute]

I'm just bumping this thread back up as another lady has posted a similar thread and she must read the advice in this one!

Thank you, Thank you, Thankyou Marshpillow and Makeeverythingbetter for your amazing advice not to point your toes when stretching in bed at night, and to point your toes up to your nose at the first sign of cramp. It's amazingly simply advise but two nights ago I got the start of cramp which woke me up 5 separate times and every time I pointed my toes upwards and the impending cramp stopped immediately!!! I've been meaning to thank you for a few nights because you've been a god send but forgot by the morning. I've been eating bananas to, but the toe trick will stay with me for life now!

So grateful, thank you :)

[fertilityFTW]

The pointing toes up and heels down really helped me. I don't like tonic water but I drank a lot of coconut water (I'm from a country with lots of coconut trees so it was a comforting taste of home too) and ate lots of bananas. Both are potassium rich and yummy. I kept both on bedside for the midnight munchies when I couldn't be asked to go rummaging in the kitchen.