I woke up early this morning, and I had the worst leg cramp! It was in the back of my calf and it felt like a charlie horse. It lasted for about a minute. This is the second time this has happened so far. The last one was about 2 weeks ago, also in the middle of the night. Is this common? Are there any ways to prevent this?
2006-08-18 04:49:12 · 14 answers · asked by Huliganjetta 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Oh, I remember these! I had them with both of my pregnancies. At least yours happened after you got up. MINE used to happen in the middle of the night, and would wake me up from a sound sleep! My whole leg would stretch out and the muscles would pull and pull...my GOD that hurt. :( The only thing I could do was wait there for the muscle to loosen up so I could walk again. And for some reason, every time this happened, I really really had to pee, but couldn't walk to the bathroom until my leg started acting right again. Eh, who am I fooling...I ALWAYS had to pee when I was pregnant. :)
As for preventing them, I've heard to take a calcium supplement daily. I did this, however, and still had these awful cramps.
2006-08-18 06:43:41 · answer #1 · answered by brevejunkie 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yea they actually are common. You can do some calf stretches before you go to bed. Face the wall about two feet away and then do like a standing push up into the wall but keep your heals flat on the ground. It will stretch your calf out. You should do that like ten times for ten counts to stretch them out before bed. You can also lay in bed and just point your toes then flex your feet (pull them up towards you) to loosen your calves, but it wont stretch them as much as the other exersize will.
If your leg cramps are in the same place in the leg, if theres redness, swelling, or bruising in the area (that is non explanatory), or it does not subside with in a few minutes, you should go to your doctor. These can be signs of deep vein thrombosis (dvt), which is when you get a clot in your leg. The clot can then travel through the vein up to your lungs or heart and cause major damage even death. This is not all that common except you are at higher risk for it when you are pregnant, so usually docs tell you to look out for that stuff.
2006-08-18 11:57:59 · answer #2 · answered by bluedaboodee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't stand the leg cramps when they start up! It is common in pregnancy. It was suggested to me to try to drink a glass of milk before bedtime, since it was a lack of calcium, but was also told by another source that lack of potassium caused the problem. I have tried both and both seemd to work rather well. I have had minimal leg cramps since I upped my milk intake. When they happen, all you can do is stretch out your leg. Do not point your toes out....make your foot go flat as though you were standing on it and gently pull your toes back towards you. Be very carefull when you release this posistion because it can cause the cramping to start up all over again. Make sure you massage the calf as well.
Try different things, but muscle cramping is usually a lack of vitamin issue.
Good luck!
2006-08-18 12:09:35 · answer #3 · answered by saintlyinnocents 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know how common it is but when I was pregnant I got horrible leg cramps in the middle of the night also, with both pregnancies. I have not had them since then, so I might be a common thing.
2006-08-18 11:55:42 · answer #4 · answered by austinsmommie99 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes in fact they are more common during pregnancy. The only way to really prevent them is to stretch at night before you go to bed. The best way to get rid of them fast is to extend your leg straight grab the tip of your toes and pull back. That will stop them right away!
2006-08-18 11:56:19 · answer #5 · answered by Workinmamma 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Omg, yes they were for me, I had a terrible time. I would always get them in the middle of the night, would wake me and bring me to tears. I agree with the other answer about the bananas, also ask your doctor, he/she may have some ideas to help.
Congratulations and good luck.
2006-08-18 12:54:23 · answer #6 · answered by girlfromflorida 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they are. My wife compalins about them all the time. Like haveing a perpetual charlie horse.
2006-08-18 12:20:39 · answer #7 · answered by mikeae 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
very common the only thing i can tell you is to stay off your feet as much as possible and warm baths help at night to relax your legs. good luck and take care that sweet baby.
2006-08-18 11:56:40 · answer #8 · answered by stella 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they are. I got them all of the time, especially in the morning when I would stretch. They hurt really bad.
2006-08-18 12:19:20 · answer #9 · answered by cmeyn79 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I had them too, also shin splints, extremely painful. Talk to your OB/GYN about it, make sure it's not from a vitamin deficiency.
2006-08-18 11:55:07 · answer #10 · answered by mightymite1957 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋