I have been drinking milk, taking my prenatal vits, eating bananas, all of that. This is my 2nd pregnancy, and I know I didn't have anything like this my first one. I have had a leg cramp for the last 2 days now. I don't know what else to try to get it to stop. Anyone have any suggestions?
2006-09-01 08:00:48 · 20 answers · asked by saintlyinnocents 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
I found this on Web MD:
Leg Cramps
Pressure from your growing uterus can cause leg cramps or sharp pains down your legs.
Recommendations:
Be sure to eat and drink foods and beverages rich in calcium (such as milk, broccoli or cheese).
Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
Try wearing support hose but avoid any leg wear that is too tight.
Elevate your legs when possible; avoid crossing your legs.
Exercise daily.
Stretch your legs before going to bed.
Avoid lying on your back, since the weight of your body and the pressure of your enlarged uterus can slow the circulation in your legs, causing cramps.
Gently stretch any muscle that becomes cramped by straightening your leg, flexing your foot and pulling your toes toward you.
Try massaging the cramp, or apply heat or a hot water bottle to the sore area.
It is a really neat article on pregnancy discomforts and how to deal with them
2006-09-01 08:08:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It may not be leg cramps. It may a form of sciatica ( don't know if I spelled that right or not). Basically what it is, is the baby pushing against the sciatic(sp???) nerve which is sending pain impulses to the legs. My wife had the same thing. The doctor told her to try not to sit or lay in one position for to long. Movement would cause the baby to move, and prevent him from settling on the nerve.
2006-09-01 08:10:29 · answer #2 · answered by chad r 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two suggestions, both of which I have actually seen work. The first one is to drink a glass of tonic water every day. You didn't specifically say when you are having the leg cramps. If you are having the leg cramps at night, then you can (and this sounds CRAZY, but I have seen it work like magic) place a regular bar of soap (like you would bathe/shower with) in the bed between the sheets. I know it sounds like rubbish, but I have tried it and it works. So does the tonic. Works like a charm. (My doctor told me about the tonic, and he said he had heard about the bar of soap remedy.)
2006-09-01 08:05:01 · answer #3 · answered by tallbeartx 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a detailed and excellent article in Triathlete Magazine this month on 3 reasons for leg cramps and how to aleviate them. Regretably, the article is not yet on line. This is not just about cramping from training or activity, but also about neurological and nutritional cramping. It is very good.
www.triathletemag.com
2006-09-01 08:44:03 · answer #4 · answered by Monica M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only thing that helped me where baths, baths and more Baths!! I took a long hot soak with epsom salt every single night from about four months along until I gave birth. When I was in labor and not far enough along to go to the hospital yet I took a long hot bath, gave myself a pedicure, put on make up and fixed my hair really nice. It really helped ease the tension and relax me for the birth.
2006-09-01 08:15:47 · answer #5 · answered by Seeker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just got back from my drs appointment for the same reason. She said to eat bananas ( every other day because they have to much sugar and can make you gain a lot of weight), do streching excersises for your legs, and to put my legs into a bucket of warm water (a large one so your leg fits from your knee down). And stay hydrated
Good luck
2006-09-01 08:10:27 · answer #6 · answered by Baby Ruth habla español 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bar of soap under your sheet! Sounds totally whack I know, but it works! Use any kind except Ivory or Dial (only 2 kinds that don't work). My mom used to get REALLY bad leg cramps b/c of Dialysis and she says Lever 2000 works best for her.
2006-09-01 08:08:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aside from what you are already doing you can stretch the muscle by flexing your foot upwards (don't point since that can trigger a cramp). This works really well if you are in the middle of a cramp. It can stop it in its tracks.
2006-09-01 08:15:38 · answer #8 · answered by JordanB 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're getting the really painful sharp leg cramps (charlie horses...at least that's what my family calls them)-- I can't remember which way, but try pointing your toes or flexing your toes toward you. I'd do that whenever I felt one coming on and they'd instantly stop.
2006-09-01 08:17:10 · answer #9 · answered by applesoup 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I tried everything for leg cramps when I was pregnant.
If it is in the lower leg, it is prob a charlie horse, I had those, I had to take calcium supplements and it stopped it.
2006-09-01 08:07:50 · answer #10 · answered by sandrarosette 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋