Cramp in legs in the night

[Moonshine160]

3 times over the last week I’ve woken in the night with the worst cramp in my calf ever. It’s that painful that I’m literally squealing in pain and it takes ages to subside, sometimes it’ll go for a few seconds then cramp up again. I feel like I cause it in my sleep because I can feel myself wiggling my legs about and stretching them and then it happens. The muscle in my calf goes all hard and distorted feeling. How do I stop it?! It hurts so bad!

Forgot to mention that I’m 21 weeks pregnant so got a long way to go yet. I’ve read tonic water can help? Has this helped anyone?

It's awful. I'm the same.

Magnesium spray has helped me a little

I get this sometimes, mainly in my feet when they get cold, it I had it really bad when I was pregnant, try a magnesium spray that works, I’ve heard it’s a lack of salts in your body.

Are you dehydrated? Drink plenty of water and a little salt (a good excuse for some salted nuts or crisps) and see if that helps.

When it happens you have to pull your toes back, imagine you're trying to point to your knees with your toes. Hold for a few seconds and slowly release. If the cramp is still there pull your toes towards your knee again and hold for few more minutes. Never point your toes downwards like a ballerina foot, you'll just make the cramp worse. I had these with both pregnancies and personally I think they're worse than contractions !!

I used to get this a lot! As pp say point your toes upwards or if that doesn't work stand up. I know how painful it is! But this will work.

Magnesium spray I also second it. A hot water bottle can help - don't let your feel get chilly as seem more likely to spasm

Charley horses, they’re horrific. I had had them the odd time before children but had them a lot in pregnancy when I was dehydrated because of sickness. The first time I jumped out of bed and couldn’t talk through the pain my husband, understandably, thought I was in labour! Tonic water might help but I think any type of fluids will be just as good. Poor you, there’s so much to cope with when you’re pregnant.

Drink lots of water!

A daily banana (magnesium)

I got bad cramps when I was pregnant, my doctor prescribed me Sandocal, I'm going back 30yrs and no idea if you can still get them but it worked a treat. Can you speak to your doc?

P.s. it's the quinine in tonic water and bitter lemon that works for cramps, a quick Google says quinine isn't advisable in pregnancy.

Oooh I've been getting this for the last couple of days- also 21 weeks pregnant! I didn't think it was pregnancy related but relieved to know it is and it's more common than I thought x