very painful leg cramping at night?

[Mooin1987]

Keep waking up in the middle of the night with really painful cramps in my leg muscles. Sometimes its so bad it makes me nearly cry, and I have to rub and massage them to get rid. I don't sleep funny, so there should b no reason for it to b circulation problems.

Anyone else had this prob? How do I stop it?

 

[honey08]

i use to get it with my son all the time in 3rd tri its awful ,they say eat bananas dint wrk for me, but i know how awful it is

 

[nicmum2b]

Banana's seem to bring on the leg cramp for me!!! I had horrendous leg cramp the other night, hurt continuously for 2 and a half days after! It's nice when you have a warm bath and it takes the pain away (after the cramp!). But I don't think there's actually a way of stopping the pain. I used to have cramps that made me laugh because I couldn't move, but these are just nasty. No laughing this time!x

 

[sam1984]

i wake up screaming some nights as it is so bad and i can not move my leg so have to get hubby to rub and stretch it.
mv said to eat bananas but i dont like eating to many as they make me feel sick. it is something to do with potassium so maybe a vitamin

 

[hulahoop09]

I am kinda lucky in that I have had them for years before getting pregnant so am used to them. Lol. I akways rub mine dead quick as told by ny nan when i was younger if you get cramp or bang yourself on something. It seems to work. Xx

 

[janeybaby]

I suffer leg cramps all the time even when not pregnant, one thing my mum seems to have passed down lol

Bananas are very good for cramp (1 a day) as they are full of potasium. Also leg cramps are often caused by dehydration so drink plenty of fluids. I drink a pint of water before bed most nights which helps however I am up for the loo more but then i'd rather that than the pain.

Also put pillows under the bottom of your mattress. Your legs need to be raised!!. Try standing on a cold surface when cramps happen (tiled floor or concreat outside is best)

Also eat a pack of salted crisps shortly before bed but remember to drink plenty of fluids if you do this

hope some of these tips are helpful, cramp is awful.

 

[Clueless]

I had previously heard it was to do with potassium and so eat bananas, but have since read that they now think it may be to do with a shortage in calcium.

I've had them at night and they're horrible

 

[hulahoop09]

Mine before pregnancy seemed to be due to stress and anxiety also told by my doctor. Lol. Xx

 

[Blah11]

I get it multiple times a night in bed too and have done since about 25w So annoying.

 

[Blah11]

& cramp during pregnancy isnt so much potassium related. Its simply to do with extra weight put on leg muscles and putting them under strain and progesterone too. If you get it, you have to straighten your leg and pull your toes up even though its agony to do it at first it makes it go away really quickly.

 

[Darling]

Try a bath before bed and do some gentle stretches. I get it in my calf muscles. I woke up screaming a few weeks ago - must have scared my husband to death!

 

[Nyn]

take some magnesium before you go to bed hun

 

[Periwinkle]

I've read something about drinking Tonic Water for this, not sure if it really works though.

 

[Mooin1987]

Thanks ladies some great suggestions. I normally eat a banana a day anyway so that prob won't help but ill give the drinking even more water a go! Peeing even more a night fun! Hehe

 

[Sini]

I had terrible cramps for months every single night. MW advised to have something salty just before bed such as a pack of ready salted crisps and you know what.. It works! Bananas havent done anything for me as Ive eaten them daily for years. Stretching helps once the cramp is there but the salt increase seems to prevent them all together!

 

[AngeM]

I had cramp most recently on Sunday night in my right leg, its still sore now feels like I've pulled a muscle! Will try some of the suggestions on here!

 

[Angelique]

As strange as this sounds.... massage the area of the cramp with vinegar. Apple cider vinegar. .... I got them with DD and it actually helped.... don't remember who told me but hey... I was willing to try anything

 

[millytint]

i have had this with both my first and current pregnancy, i find that if you flex your foot (in the leg that's cramping) it usually goes, if that fails, i stand up completely straight and that usually gets rid of it. Works for me everytime xxx