30 weeks- and having bad leg pains!! HELP!?

Question

what can i do to get rid of charlie horses' in my legs at night? They hurt so bad they wake me up and i want to scream. It just started hurting the last two weeks. Like I said I am 30 weeks pregnant with my 3rd baby and never had this problem. Is this part of being pregnant or something else? please help me!!

Answer 1

I am 36 weeks pregnant and around 28 to 30 weeks i start experiencing the same problem well i found out that the uterus is pressing on a nerve in your back called the sciatic nerve which causes pain in your lower back in your legs sometimes in your feet this usually goes away after you give birth give or take a few weeks , But the symptoms very by person unfortunately sometimes i can't even get out of bed or turn without being stop in the tracks . so i hope this helps ( also this is my 3rd pregnancy and i have never had anything happen like this either take it easy because there is nothing we can do about it a nice warm bath or a heating pad that is what i do .

Answer 2

I am not a doctor, but from what I udnerstand calf cramping is a very normal pregnancy issue. I believe it's realted to hormones, but may also be related to circulation. Oooh it's so frustrating to finally get to sleep, only to be awakened by a sharp pain in the calf. Usually, you can tell that it is just a cramp - and not a blood clot - because it goes away with stretching. If you are at all concerned though, talk to your doctor.

What can I do if I get a charlie horse?
One of the ways you can best get rid of the charlie horse, is to stretch the muscle that is cramping. If it is in your calf, try pointing your toes up as high as you can.


Frequent Cramping
Getting charlie horses is usually not a major problem, but in some cases can be a sign of serious medical issues. If you experience charlie horses regularly you should probably go to the doctor as soon as possible to just make sure you don't have any underlying issues.

Answer 3

It's most likely because your leg muscles are tired from carrying around extra weight. Leg cramps may start to plague you during your second trimester and get worse as your pregnancy progresses and your belly gets bigger. They may be aggravated by the pressure your expanding uterus puts on the blood vessels that return blood from your legs to your heart and the nerves leading from your trunk to your legs. While these cramps can occur during the day, you'll probably notice them most at night.

You may have read that getting too little calcium and potassium can cause leg cramps — or that getting too much phosphorus (found in processed meat, snack foods, and soda) can have the same effect because it can keep you from absorbing enough calcium. But no good studies back up either of those theories. It's a good idea, though, to make sure you're getting enough calcium while you're pregnant. If you don't, your growing baby will leach what he needs from your bones, which can put you at higher risk for osteoporosis later. Be sure not to take calcium supplements that contain bone meal or dolomite, which can contain dangerous levels of lead. (In fact, don't take any herbal or vitamin supplements without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.)

What can I do about these cramps?
Try these tips for keeping leg cramps 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.

• Take a walk every day, unless your midwife or doctor has advised you not to exercise.

• Avoid getting too tired. Lie down on your left side to improve circulation in your legs.

• Stay well-hydrated during the day by drinking 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 provider 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 it will ease the spasm and 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.

What if the pain persists?
If your muscle pain is constant and not just an occasional cramp, or if you notice swelling or tenderness in your leg, call your practitioner. In rare cases, a pregnant woman may develop a blood clot, which requires immediate medical attention...

Answer 4

DON'T FREAK OUT. IT IS NORMAL. I am 31 weeks along in my 2 pregnancy and the I get charlie horses a lot. The best thing for them is lots of water or gaterade. If you have to have something with caffine drink tea because it helps you get your daily intake of fluids. Since I switched from Pepsi to tea, my cramps are less painful and I have fewer.

Answer 5

I got those alot when I was pregnant! It's very common.
Drink plenty of water and do leg stretches in bed. Point your toes and hold for 3 seconds then pull your toes up and hold for 3 seconds. Do this several times before bed.
Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy. :)

Answer 6

When you get into bed, rotate your feet, one at a time, each way. Then, point and flex about 20 times, each foot. The leg cramps are common in later stages of pregnancy. They occur when you move your feet at night. This exercise is quick, painless and will stop the cramps.

Answer 7

Try more calcium and potassium in your diet, as low levels of either or both can lead to cramping. Milk and bananas are excellent sources. I would try that, if no luck then definitely talk to your doctor. Not to scare you, but pain in legs can be a sign of blood clots.

Answer 8

Sadly part of being pregnant. Drink plenty of water, cut salt intake and eat a lot of potassium (bananas) If that does not help then talk to your doctor

Answer 9

Might be the baby is pushing on the sciatic nerve near the lower spine ( L5-S1 ) which will cause leg cramps or bulging disc pushing on the same spot . I don't know if you can have a CAT scan now or have to wait until after delivery. But you can try to position yourself so as to uncurl the lower spine . . . which will be tricky with the baby ! all my sympathy, (been there with the leg cramps)

Answer 10

Are you drinking enough water? I had horrible leg and foot cramps while pregnant and found out I was dehyderated. Also, have your doctor check your potassium levels. Sometimes this can cause cramps.