Leg cramps while PG, did anyone ever get these?

[MINNIE1]

OMG i woke this morning in agony of a leg cramp.. I have heard a few people saying they had them, did you??

[tiredemma]

oh god yes, all the way through the third trimester with both children.
Always at night, sometimes didnt want to go to sleep at night for fear of one waking me up!! absolute agony...

[sweetheart]

minnie,

I got them in my 1st pregnancy - used to wake up in tears screaming!!!

Just hoping I don't get it this time round

[Nemo1977]

minnie i had them a lot with ds especially in 3rd trimester but only had it twice so far this time.

[bakedpotato]

yes, agony -- is it calf cramps?
thing that worked for me was, when you feel it setting in, push your toes up towards the knee, ie the opposite of ballet-pointing, and push heel down hard
that usually saw it off

[Chuffed]

I got them continually with last pregnancy, tried bananas, tonic water, exercise, baths - staying really hydrated - nothing still getting them so badly that my legs actually felt bruised for days.
When I started eating 3 bowls of cereal a day for snacks they vanished - I wasn't getting enough calcium I think - try milk.

[sarahsausage]

I had calf cramps while in bed in third trimester with dd, was horrible. I used to find massaging it would make it go away but it hurt like hell!!! Hoping i wont get it this time round but then i never have been a lucky person lol!

[MINNIE1]

It was in the calf, Its even sore today.
Will try the pointing upwards. The joys of being pregnant.

[Miaou]

Got them really bad both times before, hardly had any this time round. All I can put it down to is - lots of water, plenty of exercise, and a big glass of milk before I go to bed (the milk helps with the heartburn too - hardly suffer at all!)

If you do start to get a leg cramp, try putting your weight on that leg (it does mean jumping out of bed pretty sharpish, lol), and flex your foot back and forth. Works for me.

[franke]

Yep - both pregnancies, absolutely horrid. Heel down, toes up like bakedpotato says, should do the trick.

[MINNIE1]

Will try the glass of milk and a walk b4 going to bed, To make matters worse DP didnt even wake!!! whats going to happen when the bubs arrives!!lol

[Piccalilli]

Leap out of bed as quick as possible and walk on it - works for me (29 weeks pg). Mine have also got a bit better since I started having a banana a day.

[MrsDoolittle]

Oh horrible but I think restless leg syndrome is the worst.

[ja9]

i had these too - sympathies...

[hester]

Me too - ouch

[Redhelen]

Yes leg cramps are horrid. I read that a little salt before bed time can help - I've had crisps an hour before bed over the last few night and the cramp has been much better - heart burns back mind!! ha ha can't win!!!!

[Redhelen]

tiredemma I know what you mean about not wanting to go to sleep for fear of leg cramp - I've done the same - but worth trying a little salty something before bedtime.

[Twiga]

Hi Minnie, have been getting leg cramps for a number of weeks now, mainly in my calfs and feet. Have also had cramp in my hips - find getting out of bed ans pacing one of the best things or if dh is awake he usually sits and massages the area until it calms down. Have tried upping my salt intake as hardly put any in cooking/food etc and also plenty of fluids through the day/night. Hadn't heard about the milk thing, will give it a go, anything that'll help! Hope it's not a continuing prob for you, lol x

[franch]

I'm getting this really badly. Info here says calcium, potassium (milk, banana) and stretching before you go to bed.

[Busyalexsmummy]

Hey, I had leg and feet cramps really bad for the first time in the early hrs this morning!
oh the joys of pregnancy...!

[PiccadillyCircus]

I have them quite often now, generally in the middle of the night, when on my nocturnal toilet visits. They've been happening more often in the past few weeks. I am 30 weeks pregnant.

Will try heel down toes up (if my brain can remember at some unearthly hour).

My banana intake is good, might have a bowl of cereal before I go to bed and see if the milk helps.

Sorry to see so many September people suffering here (and everyone else of course .

[nerdgirl]

If you can reach your feet, then pinch hard at the spot between the base of your big toe and the next toe.

If you can't, get your DH to do it! Always worked a treat for me.

[marthamoo]

Oh yes! I really suffered when pg with ds2. Sardines are supposed to help (so long as you are not veggie). Also tonic water - quinine is good for cramps.

[FIMAC1]

I had bananas next to my bed for when this happened in the night - one of the baby books recommended it

[bee3]

Oh, it is so painful, isn't it?

I found that for calf cramps stretching gently for 5 mins before I went to bed really helped. Step forward onto one foot, keeping both feet facing forwards. Bend the knee of the front leg, but keep the back leg straight with your heel on the floor so that you can feel the calf muscle stretch. Hold for 10 secs or so (lean on the knee, or a wall for balance). Swap legs a couple of times. I got a bit wobbly towards the end, what with huge belly and shifted centre of gravity and needed dh's support, so do be careful! The cramps also seemed to subside once I was having a hot milky drink every evening (supposedly to help with chronic heartburn). Hope you find soemthing that works for you.

[morningpaper]

Oooh I'm in agony with you there - I'm 28 weeks and I've woken up the last few mornings with awful calf cramps! It stays feeling sore all day, like I've been kicked by a horse! DP thinks I'm just exaggerating!