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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

hideous leg cramps at night

17 replies

WheresTheAuPair · 30/08/2008 11:56

i'm 32 weeks and woke up at 5am with the most hideous cramps in my lower legs- anyone had this and got any tips? they still hurt today but like a 'done far too much down the gym feeling' which of course I haven't

OP posts:
ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 30/08/2008 12:10

No tips really, just to say that I have had that a couple of times, it's quite common but horribly painful!

Original poster
WheresTheAuPair · 30/08/2008 13:17

didn't get these at all in my last PG- i can't believe that they still really hurt today! urgh

OP posts:
scorpio1 · 30/08/2008 13:19

have a touch of salt on your evening meal, my mw told me and it went!

pinktree · 30/08/2008 13:25

I had those...stand up and straighten your legs straight away.

My Grandma always said standing on anything cold really helped too - definitely helped me!

Good Luck

Katw3kitts · 30/08/2008 13:28

Ditto Scorpios advice.

DontNeedAnything · 30/08/2008 13:31

I had them too (both pgs). Banana's are supposed to help.

A word of warning though, the first time you go to get up after giving birth you will probably get immense cramps too (I got them inteh thoghs which was agony).

belgo · 30/08/2008 13:47

point your toes upwards to stretch the calf muscles.

saramoon · 30/08/2008 15:06

I had terrible leg cramps in both my pregnancies and only at night. Yes, try and straighten your legs and I used to try and get to a cold radiator and put my leg on it!!! Helped a bit. Think it is pretty normal during pregnancy.

Original poster
WheresTheAuPair · 30/08/2008 18:16

I did the toes upwards thing in the night which helped the initial cramps- tis the aftershocks that are killing now!!

will try the cold treatment-anything would be a help- feels like my legs are going to come off!!

OP posts:
Joolyjoolyjoo · 30/08/2008 18:20

I used to get these, and thought it was one of the cruellest tricks played on pregnant women- you need to hurriedly leap out of bed to stretch them, but paradoxically when you are shaped like Orca and wedged between a careful arrangement of pillows, leaping anywhere hurriedly is an impossibility- I was like an upturned turtle, flipping about trying to get to my feet! My only tip is to train your other half to wake up and press your toes back for you!!

katch · 30/08/2008 18:26

Before you go to bed, lean your elbows against the wall, head on fists, feet about a foot from wall (are you still with me?), then put one foot behind the other to stretch the calves, about 30 secs to a min on each side. Repeat, and enjoy a cramp-free night!

Califrau · 30/08/2008 18:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Califrau · 30/08/2008 18:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lauraloola · 30/08/2008 18:37

I used to sleep with my feet on a pillow which seemed to help.

Original poster
WheresTheAuPair · 31/08/2008 08:25

lol at califrau! I can imagine how scary it must have been for him. Mine happened when DH was working away so no one could hear me scream!!! thanks for the stretching tips- i'll put them into action later

I know what you mean about the careful arrangement of pillows aswell- and its only when you get massive that they seem to hit! (6 more weeks to go...and breathe!)

OP posts:
FiveGoMadInDorset · 31/08/2008 08:43

a glass of tonic water before you go to bed is what my MW reccommended and it does work, also bananas

tinkhasanacrobatic · 31/08/2008 09:08

i sleep with a long pillow between legs which seems to help as i get cramp in my left leg

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