Leg and feet cramping

[SarahB88]

I’m getting horrible cramps in my legs and feet. I’m just over 18 weeks. It comes on during the night sometimes and keeps me awake but it’s also just really uncomfortable when I’m trying to relax!

Has anyone had this and what did you do to relieve it?

I have gotten calf cramps that wake me up randomly in the middle of the night. It’s happened about 5 times. Magnesium can be really helpful for cramps. I take my prenatal vitamins that have magnesium but then I also use a magnesium cream and rub it in to my legs. You can also get magnesium salts to put in a bath. Making sure you are drinking enough water is also important.

I know how painful they can be so I feel you!

I’ve been suffering with this. Echo the above, magnesium was the only thing that really worked.

someone recommended tonic water in the evening and I did that too for a bit, but didn’t see a huge difference.

@Puddle13 I’m having over 2 litres of water a day so don’t think I’m dehydrated or anything and my pre natals have magnesium but I obviously need more! The cream is a good idea.

@glasspaw thanks for the tip about tonic water, I didn’t know that but now know it’s not great so I’ll go straight to the magnesium!

One of the most important things to do in pregnancy is drink a ridiculous amount of water. It will help a lot with cramps and headaches, and obviously you need to be as hydrated as possible in pregnancy.

2 litres might seem like a lot, but in pregnancy it kind of isn't, its the minimum, you might still be slightly dehydrated. Try electrolyte drinks, potassium (banana is a great source, as is kiwi) and magnesium.

Sounds weird, but check your wee after every time you go, the colour will tell you if you need more water. Should be pale yellow.

I suffered from leg cramps during pregnancy and a tonic every evening helped me. The vital ingredient is quinine so I had schwepps- this was 15 years ago though - check the label to ensure it still contains quinine.

As other posts - magnesium.It’s not easily absorbed during pregnancy.I had severe deficiency in this after my son but was not picked up for 3 years. It caused hell for me I was so ill as it is not tested as part of normal bloods done by nhs gps.Wasnt until I went away trying different supplements as docs kept saying bloods are fine. I went back once I isolated the vitamins & told them magnesium was making an impact for the better. Well this was 6 months of taking them & I was still on the lower side!

I feel for you! I had them on the first trimester and now they are back end of the third trimester! The pain is so unbearable for me, I tried all sorts, creams, drink more water, having more walks, didn’t work. Worked a bit having my feet in warm water before going to bed, sometimes…