Does this happen to anyone else? I wake up in the morning and stretch while in bed and I get simultaneous charlie horses in both calves. I have to jump out of bed and walk it off! But my legs hurt for about an hour afterwards? DH says I need to drink more water????
Victoria
Posted:
Member since
Re: Leg cramps?
They wake me up once in a while. It has to do with too much calcium or not enough potassium from what I have read. Nothing has been proven though. I have to flex my foot and the pain goes away quickly. I sometimes feel some residual pain throughout the day.
jillybean66
Posted:
Member since
Re: Leg cramps?
I have been getting them - one time it was so bad that my leg hurt for 2 days afterwards! All I know is that I eat 2 bananas a day and drink tons of milk....so I don't know what causes them.
Jenn524
Posted:
Member since
Re: Leg cramps?
I was just going to post something just like this!! The other night I woke up at 3:00 in the morning with charlie horses in both calves. My legs hurt for 2 days after. I drink tons of water so I don't think it has to do with hydration. I think it's just one of the many joys of pregnancy.
Rainmama
Posted:
Member since
Re: Leg cramps?
ICK! I remember those so well! I used to hang my foot over the edge of the bed and pressed my weight onto my toes, stretching the effected muscle. That worked everytime!
Mishy626
Posted:
Member since
Re: Leg cramps?
YES! The last few nights I have to actually get up in the middle of the night to stretch out my legs, because nothing else works. Boy does this hurt! Good to know I'm not the only one, although I don't want everyone else to suffer along with me.
julz33
Posted:
Member since
Re: Leg cramps?
I am not pregnant but that happens to me alot. The Dr. told me to drink more water and eat bananas. The problem is I drink TONS of water and eat a banana almost every day. I also heard to keep you legs/feet warm at night - wear socks!
jennjohn17
Posted:
Member since
Re: Leg cramps?
I thought it was just me! Like Mishy said I am glad to hear I am not alone but I am sorry others are experiencing it as well!!! Man do they hurt!!!!
Elizabeth
Posted:
Member since
Re: Leg cramps?
I ate a banana every morning when preggo with Luke and I never had them. This time, I havent done that and I do occasionally get them. My DH, who is a runner and soccer player said the same thing about drinking more water. Also he said, raisins help with leg cramps.
Ugh! Arent those the worst? Ive had them where I wake up ready to scream in pain.
Jenn524
Posted:
Member since
Re: Leg cramps?
I read that doing some calf streching helps. If you keep your muscles relaxed it should help while you sleep. Don't know if it works, but I'm going to give it a try.
JENNCHRIS
Posted:
Member since
Re: Leg cramps?
I had leg cramps when I was pregnant with Jordan - it's a lack of potassium I think, eat Bananas - that's what I was told by my Dr.
Try these tips for keeping muscle spasms at bay: • Avoid standing or sitting with your legs crossed for long periods of time.
• Stretch your calf muscles (see below) regularly during the day and several times before you go to bed.
• Rotate your ankles and wiggle your toes when you sit, eat dinner, or watch TV.
• Try to take a walk every day (unless your midwife or doctor has advised you not to exercise).
• Avoid getting too fatigued. Rest by reclining on your left side to improve circulation in your legs.
• Keep well-hydrated during the day; drink water regularly.
• Try a warm bath before bed to relax your muscles.
• There's some evidence that taking a magnesium supplement in addition to a prenatal vitamin may have some benefit. But check with your practitioner before taking any kind of supplement during pregnancy.
If you do get a cramp, immediately stretch your calf muscles: Straighten your leg, heel first, and gently flex your toes back toward your shins. It might hurt at first, but the pain will gradually go away. You can relax the cramp by massaging the muscle or warming it with a hot-water bottle. Walking around for a few minutes may help, too.
