Excruciating leg cramps

[MrsJones1986]

Ok, so I hope you all don't think I'm over reacting (I often think how am I going to cope with labour if this is hurting so much!).

I've recently started getting unbearable calf cramps in the middle of the night. I'm talking physically screaming out in pain like the muscle is being ripped off my leg.

My husband tries his best to stretch it and massage it, but the next day my muscle is rock solid aching and feeling like is going to happen again.

I've read it's yet another delightful symptom of pregnancy but it happening literally once a week. And it hurts like crazy.

Anyone else out there experiencing the same thing and can offer any words of wisdom? X

 

[Jessicahide]

Its a muscle spasm, its caused by being low on sodium, if it happens a lot it means you may need a sports drink to replace sodium xxx its horrible I feel for you.

 

[kaye]

I'm suffering too. Can hardly walk today because my calf is so sore and rock hard! Hope it stops soon and isn't here till the end x

 

[Take2]

Can mean you are dehydrated, up the water intake and see if it improves.

 

[loeylo]

I get this! I had never had it before pregnancy, I woke in the night once screaming because I thought my dog had bit me (he is a German shepherd collie cross but a gentle giant who wouldn't actually bite) - it is SO sore! I also get it about once a week. I heard that it is caused by restricted blood flow to legs which makes sense as I also get numb arms.

 

[LilianA]

I have gotten them with every pregnancy.. towards the end it was happening every night especially if I stretch out..I read once that it is caused by a potassium deficiency and eating bananas help! I feel for you it is such awful pain! so intense! I'm dreading that part of pregnancy

 

[MnGmakes3]

I could have written this! I got them every. Single. Night scoy 2 weeks ago! They hurt so bad I would wake me up mid sleep. I found that flexing my foot would alleviate the pain somewhat but still happened regardless. I just had another last night that lasted much longer than usual, I can't stand it!

Sorry though, I wish I had some remedies I'm definitely following along, hopefully someone knows something.

 

[2have4kids]

Muscle cramps like this are well known among athletes and pregnant women, especially in the summer. It's due to a deficiency in Magnesium and/or potassium. Your nervous system and muscles run on sodium-potassium pump, we usually get enough sodium in our diets so the usual culprit is potassium. Coconut water has 7x the potassium as a banana so most doctors will recommend starting w
with food based potassium. Magnesium relaxes the nervous system & muscles so if potassium doesn't work mag usually will. GL!

 

[WW1]

Yes I have been suffering with this. I've started eating a banana each evening, I've had some ready salted crisps and I took a decent walk at the weekend to try to stretch the muscle out properly. Since then, no cramps. I have no idea if it's co-incidence but I'm grateful for the respite, regardless of the reason!

 

[Mississippi03]

I get these nightly.. Lol hurts so bad sometimes im sure my acl is going to snap

Seems like theres a lot of question as to why they happen.

I do leg stretches or restless leg syndrome while lying in bed and it seems to help somewhat

 

[2have4kids]

I get these nightly.. Lol hurts so bad sometimes im sure my acl is going to snap

Seems like theres a lot of question as to why they happen.

I do leg stretches or restless leg syndrome while lying in bed and it seems to help somewhat

Being really active & in summer being really hot, AND being really pregnant we drink loads of water which washes mineral content away from us. We need potassium to balance all the sodium we get with our food and when it's low or if sodium is low (a less common deficiency) we get wicked muscle cramps. Restless leg is a symptom of an imbalance of sodium, potassium or magnesium. Usually we get too much sodium so it's better to try a simple fix like coconut water for potassium and see if it gets better. It's not so boggling really - quite common and really irritating

I used to get muscle cramps, bad Charlie horses, mostly at night, as a teenager - mom never cooked with salt, I rarely ate processed food and was extremely active (martial arts, athletic instructor, platform diving). I went to the doctor & she prescribed salting my food and drinking coconut water regularly. As well a magnesium supplement now and then. Bam! Muscle cramps gone. We don't get magnesium much from soil anymore with greenhouse grown veggies so sometimes it's needed too.

 

[MrsJones1986]

Thanks for all your replies ladies. I am off to stock up on coconut water and bananas! I will make sure I do leg stretches each night before bed and see if things improve. X

 

[jodilee6]

I can honestly say leg cramp is WAY worst than labour pain!!!

I woke this morning in tears from leg cramp and my calf is still tight now, I heard bananas helped but I don't like them, never knew that about coconut water so will give that a try instead

 

[loeylo]

I think tonic water is supposed to help too, because of the quinine. I know that my papa gets bad leg cramps and he has a glass of tonic water and a banana before bed.

It's a shame we can't add gin ...

 

[bunyhuny]

I was getting this for a few weeks straight in first tri. My acupuncturist instructed me to rub magnesium lotion into my legs 2-3 times a day and drinking lots of electrolytes. Once I started doing that, I haven't had a problem since (and have been sleeping so much better)! The magnesium lotion was only $18, so not a bad deal.