Leg cramps that keep me up at night!

[Mummybear87]

I'm due in about six weeks time and have been having leg cramps non stop for the last three weeks. They keep me up at night and I feel like I've tried everything; hot baths before I go to bed, exercise in the day, I found that mangos are supposed to help! They don't by the way.

Does anyone have any advice? I really want to spend the last few weeks excited about the arrival of a baby and not being bothered by leg cramps!

[stripeybumpinthenight]

Bananas. You need potassium.

[ldt87]

I heard calcium? pint of milk before bed every night stopped mine, helped the heartburn too.

[blueeyedmonster]

Yep bananas and get up and stand on it and walk as soon as you wake up. I always got cramp at night with ds and I could get rid of it in 1 min in the end. As long as I didn't try to stretch it out in bed it went asap.

[JYLA]

Leg cramps are common in the third trimester. I'm going through my third pregnancy and I am already dreading the leg cramps. Would strongly advise a leg massager. Helps if you use it just before you go to bed. I use one that helps relax my tired feet too after a long day of standing up. Here is a link to a website that gives a bit more information and sells the leg massager that I have.
www.healththroughmassage.com/shop/massage-equipment/calf-pain/

Good luck and hope it stops soon!

[noyouhavehadawee]

ouch i feel your pain or i did, i suffered real bad with this all from my preggerdom and i never found a cure other than jumping out of bed asap and putting all my weight on it - after i had just delivred ds i got out the pool and got cramp as i wnt to get on the bed and almost dropped him - the MW and DH panciked big time andcaught him . Sorry i felt the need to share . Hope your last 6 weeks finds a cure....

[bizzylizzy79]

I had dreadful leg cramp in my previous pregnancies. With my first I could barely walk without my muscles going into spasm. It is often caused by salt deficiency so take dioralyte regularly which is safe in pregnancy. Stretch the muscles by rolling back on your heels. Keep your legs warm and stretch your legs out regularly in bed. Quinine in tonic water can also help and I used to drink it in pregnancy but I think it may not be recommended in pregnancy now. Hope you feel better.

[Pastabee]

I agree that getting up and walking helps but I'm finding it hard to get up quickly enough at 36 weeks! Found pointing my feet up to stretch my leg works well instead.

No idea on how to stop them. Have tried everything. Now I just treat it as a chance to practice my breathing!

[mousyfledermaus]

I had that as well both times.
my mw recommended taking magnesium. so I took 250mg before going to bed and half a tablet (125mg) at lunch.
hot water bottle also helps as does drinking enough water troughout the day.

[idlevice]

You should try taking a mineral supplement in addition to any other preg supplement you are taking: chromium, magnesium, calcium, potassium. You can get specific formulations to help with cramps but check they are suitable for pregnancy first in case they have other stuff thrown in. Ask at a health shop or decent chemist.

[loverocky]

i stretch alot during the night, the obvious tossing and turning as im due in 4 weeks, but when i stretch my leg attempts to cramp. some nights it will right at the back of it and its sooo painful.

[fifegirl75]

Have been getting them a lot too, so sore! Read somewhere that if you feel one starting you should stretch you leg right out and pull you foot forwards towards your leg (hope that makes sense). It really works, well it does for me :)

[dooscooby]

I'm getting this too-seems to be when I subconsciously wiggle my foot and bam-massive cramp starts. I've also been trying to use it as an opportunity to breathe through the pain and imagine what labour might be like!!