Easing muscle hurt by cramp - swimming?

[catsofa]

I'm 33 weeks, got woken up really early this morning with massive cramp in one calf. Hasn't come back since but it's still really stiff and sore.

I'm supposed to be going swimming this evening, is that a bad idea? Or will the water help?

Is there anything else I can do to ease the muscle now? There's lots on the internet about preventing cramp but I don't know where to look for how to help with the damage afterwards - is it a pulled muscle I now have?

I have no answer but exactly the same thing has happened to me- never had cramp before in my life and two nights ago woke up in agony! Went away but today it's been quite painful to walk on. Am hoping it will just go away on its own...

You have my sympathy!

I got in the shower and sat with hot water running over it for a while, which was lovely. But I'm thinking I should probably give swimming a miss - partly because I'd have to cycle there and I think that might hurt in itself.

Also I seem to sink more easily now my bump is big, and I have to stand right on tip toes to stand up in the deep end... don't really fancy risking it after all.

Real shame cos I look forward all week to swimming and can't do very much else

Try to keep using the muscle. I went through a stage a few years ago (not when pregnant) of getting hideous night cramps and would be unable to walk the for next few days (I was actually admitted to hospital with the first one because they thought it was dvt!)
Treat it as a badly pulled muscle. So hot water bottle, a bath etc will help.
Don't over do it but try to keep moving. If you don't use it at all it will really stiffen up.
Going to the pool and just kicking your legs or walking in the shallow end would be good.
I know my GP stepmum advised tonic water as the quinine is supposed to help (don't have any evidence to back that up though)

Actually DH has just told me off for recommending heat. I think you should cool muscle strains initially and then use heat to sooth after 24 hours. I know that cold doesn't feel as nice but it does lessen the damage (disclaimer: I'm not a doctor just the wife of a frequently injured rugby player )

Yeah, I've cancelled something today partly because of this and partly because of feeling really grotty due to lack of sleep, but I do probably need to get it moving as that'll be two days stuck indoors otherwise and it's still feeling really stiff.

I will chuck myself out of the house to go for a walk right now!