Leg Cramps in the night!

[laurenannxo]

I'm currently 28 weeks pregnant and really suffering with leg cramps in the middle of the night. It's been every night for a week and they wake me up because I go to stretch in my sleep and the cramp takes over. It's unbearable and lasts about 4/5 minutes and leaves me with painful calves for days after. It's getting really tiring now as they wake me up so often and interrupt my sleep. Any tips on how to prevent them?

I remember that well, I had to walk up and down the stairs to relieve them and they were happening every night. I mentioned them at work when a colleague suggested tonic water. Now I dislike tonic water on its own but was prepared to try anything so had tonic water (and then gaviscon for the heartburn) as I went to bed every night. It may well all be in the head but it absolutely worked for me, I didn't suffer anymore leg cramps at all.

I had two (up till now, touches wood vigorously) that made me feel like I had walked several miles with only one leg for two to three days afterwards. I have them occasionally also without pregnancy, but I swear this felt like I'd never be able to straighten my leg again :shock:.

That was when I stopped eating banana with my muesly in the morning and since I've put that back in I haven't had any more.

Can also try sports drinks with electrolyte/ magnesium (available sugar free too) e.g. high five zero

Working for me, and to stop my hideous restless legs.

I am going through the exact same thing OP (currently 28+6) and I don't think the warm weather helps. Feels like a vicious circle as mw told me to make sure I was drinking more water to help cramps, but then I need to pee all night long. Gah! She also mentioned more salt, which I have actively increased (only slightly). I think it's marginally better than it was, but to be honest the best way I have of controlling it is almost subconscious: whenever I stretch in my sleep, I try to force my feet to flex immediately, cutting off the cramp before it can start. Doesn't work every time, but have definitely managed to curb a few horrible episodes.
I know we still have labour to come, but boy do leg cramps hurt 😭

Good luck!

I know this sounds daft but I have read about people putting a block of soap in their bed by their feet and this is supposed to work. Google it and have a read .

I remember this well. I drank electrolyte sports drinks before bed to help with it.

I was getting these a lot but they have diminished since I started having a banana a day on my cereal for breakfast.

Gosh yes I'm suffering this too and pleased you've brought it up. I eat bananas every day but that hasn't helped so will try the electrolyte drinks. The past few days but legs have felt like they are about to cramp up like but I'm too scared to stretch! When that calf muscle goes it's the most awful pain

I posted about this a few weeks back and after advice on here ive been taking magnesium, vit d and massage my legs and arms very night before bed and it has really benefitted my sleep x

I had this, magnesium tablets did help.

I often wake in the morning and my left calf is so stiff so I imagine it's the same, but possibly not as intense as yours OP. I drink loads of water and have started doing a good stretch before bed which has helped.

At a class recently the physio recommended bananas and apricots for potassium

drink plenty of fluids
take magnesium before bedtime
wear flight socks during the day

If you are urinating a lot you could be losing potassium, especially if you are sweating in the hot weather.

Bananas, dates, and baked potatoes (the skins contain the potassium) are good sources.

Check with a doctor before taking potassium supplements as too much potassium can lead to heart problems. The supplements are usually quite a low dosage as over dosing on them can cause heart arrhythmia.