Any of you moms get the charleys horse or leg cramps at nighttime during the 2nd trimester?

Question

I am prego with 1st baby and since 10 days I get the charleys horse in mostly my left leg. It always starts in my pinky toe and tow finger and then moves up the nerve to my leg which is then a crampy pain type of feeling. It happens at any hour of the night. Starts slight, then strong and sometimes I have to move my feet to get the cramp to end. It it painful.. some are medium-mild pain, others are pretty painful though. I think of this as a good practice to get me ready to tolerate pain in labor as women have told me that labor starts out as period cramps and intensifies 15 times more or so. Well then these leg cramps or charleys horse whether mild or intense, I don't move I hold still and tolerate the pain. If I can tolerate that pain, is that fine then? Or am I crazy? I dont know. ANything I can do to relieve the charley horse that always starts up in my pinky toe and toe finger? if i wiggle my toe, sometimes the pain worsens. holding still generally makes the pain go

what I mean is this, having charley horse or the bad leg cramps as I do feel sometimes, how does that pain compare to the pain of labor??? Initial labor and strong labor? If i can handle the leg pain, will I be alright in labor or still need epidural?

Answer 1

BANANAS BANANAS BANANAS, also try a Magnesium supplement. I had this both times I was pregnant. Restless legs. Happens mostly at night when you lay down and try to sleep. It is caused by a potassium, and magnesium sulfate deficiency in your body. Magnesium supplements can be found at any walmart, CVS, or any pharmacy in the same place with the vitamins. And it is safe for baby too! No, this pain is nothing compared to the pain of labor contractions. Every woman is different and thier pain threshold is different. The best way to releas the cramp in your leg is to straighten it out , and point your toes to the ceiling or pull them in towards the knee. This will stretch the muscle out safely and get some oxygen flowing into it. Also try sleeping with a pillow between your knees. A body pillow works great because you can also prop your belly up on it making sleep more comfortable.

Answer 2

I've heard that leg cramps can also be caused by an iron deficiency especially when accompanied by restlessness. You might ask your doc about that too. I am 35 wks and I've found that if I stretch my calf muscles before bed I don't get cramps as often. Just stand facing a wall, put both hands on the wall with both feet out about 3 feet. Then put one foot behind you and flatten your foot to the floor (like you're trying to push the wall). You should feel a pull on the arch of your foot and in your calf muscle. If you do get a cramp in the middle of the night, either stand up and stretch this way, or grab onto your toes and straighten your leg out (as much as you can). This will stretch those same muscles.

Answer 3

During my first pregnancy, I had about 5 major spasms a night. I had the doctor check my vitamin levels, such as magnesium, calcium, and potassium. All were normal, but the doctor suggested taking additional supplements. None of it worked on me, but we found out later that it was signs of muscular dystrophy. Before you try any additional supplements, get your doctor to check your vitamin levels, and discuss this with them. 14 years later, the child I had all of the charlie horse's with, she now has them frequently. The pains of child birth differ from woman to woman. I had very little pain giving birth to my first child, but the second, that was another story. I was hoping that the second birth would be natural, like the first. Nope! I had to get an epidural, and after they gave me 5 doses, the pain was still so unbearable. Now, we know that my pain was coming from MD, not child birth. Also, the more you tolerate the leg cramping and spasms, it will help you in child birth. Its mind control!

Answer 4

I have pain in my left hip, like a charlie horse at night also. I had a miscarriage a little over 2 years ago and had contractions every 1-2 mins. The contractions are way worse then the charlie horse. I rub my hip when it does that. Everyone I have spoken to has said to concentrate on the end results and your breathing while in labor. Good luck!

Answer 5

I used to get them all the time when I was pregnant. The only way to get them to go away for the moment is to stand up right away on the leg that is cramping. It makes the cramp go away much faster. You might want to check in with your doctor. This could be a sign that you are low on potassium. I would not take any supplements without your doctors approval.Your prenatal vitamin should be all you need.

Answer 6

About the pain: No it doesn't compare, NOTHING COMPARES!
But don't be afraid. Millions of woman have been in labour before you and millions will still follow. I did it naturally and survided, although it didn't feel like it at that moment. (and yes, I will do it again)
Abouth the cramps: Drink a lot of magnesium. It helped a lot in my pregnancy to ease cramping. I also know there is Tissue Salts that can help that is totally save, so maybe go to the pharmacy

Answer 7

I had the worst cramp ever in my foot last night and then at 4am this morning I jumped up out of bed with really bad cramp in my calf (I'm 20 weeks)
I have been told to eat bananas which have a fairly high potassium content but apricots and sultanas have much higher potassium content in them.
If you get cramp, put your leg on the floor or lie on the bed and push your foot against the wall, this usually gets rid of it.

Answer 8

Yes indeed. There is a simple solution to your problem drink milk about an hour before bedtime warm is better it relaxes the muscles and a small stretch wouldn't hurt either. You will be fine during labor but don't wait too long for that epidural. You don't have to be that brave your baby will love you even if you accept pain relief.

Answer 9

It is completely normal. It usually happens when you stretch in your sleep.
It is believed that it is caused by a lack of potassium. Your muscles need potassium and when you stretch them and they don't have enough potassium they don't like that. It is kind of like a runner getting a leg cramp during a race.
Just try to massage it out when they happen. I also heard somewhere to sleep with a bar of soap in your bed with you and that should help. Not sure if it really works or not, but it is worth a try.
BTW- Labour is different for everybody so no one can tell you what labour actually feels like, but it is going to be way more painful than a leg cramp.

Answer 10

Though I am very young to answer this but I would really be thankful to my mom that she faced same type of problems for me to enter this beautiful world. I am just 21 years old and today after reading your question I have realized the sacrifice of MOM!!
Well mom, I must say, bear this pain. Its a kind of invisible attachment with your baby. Take care
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