How can you prevent terribly painful leg cramps during pregnancy?

Question

This is my second pregnancy and I had the same problem with the first. Last night the leg cramps started up again. You know how you might stretch in your sleep and then WHAM!!!! PAIN as if you have something stabbed into your leg muscle.
I drink lots of water, which I hear is one way to help.....but what else can I do.
Cause when this happen your like paralized with pain, until it settles, and its bad cause your half asleep and can't tell yourself to be careful not to stretch too much to prevent this.

Answer 1

Try to cut caffeine out of your diet. I used to have a terrible habit of having a sodas with dinner before bedtime when I was pregnant and kept having awful leg cramps in the middle of the night. When I cut the sodas out of my diet, the cramps went away.

It wouldn't hurt to have a glass of milk and a banana or two before bedtime as well to boost your potassium and calcium.

Here's a link that might help:
http://www.bodyandfitness.com/Information/Health/legcramp.htm

Answer 2

Here is a wonderful trick to STOP a leg cramp (charlie horse), in it's tracks: When you stretch, you notice how your toes point downwards? (Don't do it - you'll be in pain LOL)! Well, to stop a charlie horse, you need to flex your foot upwards (as if you were trying to get your toenails to reach the front of your ankles).

Now that you know the trick to stop the cramp, let's talk about what might cause them in the first place:

Lack of potassium - so increase your intake (think bananas!)
Lack of calicium and sometimes magnesium (so a supplement that contains both may help.

Take care !

Answer 3

Make sure you are getting the recommended 8 glasses of water everyday. Also have your doctor check your potassium levels. These are the two most common problems when it comes to leg cramps. The night before I went into labor with my daughter I had horrible foot cramps and when I got to the hospital I was so dehydrated that they had to put me on an IV and place a blood pressure cuff around the bag to pump the fluids into me faster and I also ended up drinking 3 big sports bottles of ice water.

Answer 4

I had to keep reminding myself not to point my toes when I stretched. I would get terrible leg cramps as well at night and not pointing my toes is the only thing that has worked for me. I know you are asleep and that it is hard to control but I learned to do it, and I do not get the leg cramps anymore. So, when you feel yourself starting to stretch at night, tell your self to flex your feet, not point your toes. It will help.

Answer 5

That is the worst feeling! I am 36 wks pregnant with my second child and have been going through it! I found that when the pain is coming to put your feet flat on the bed. I know that it is difficult but if you can get them there the pain will subside. Also up your calcium intake. Good luck.

Answer 6

You may be lacking calcium and/or potassium. They regulate muscle functions and without enough of those elements, muscles tend to 'short out' so to speak. Whenever I have problems with muscle cramps I head for the potassium and calcium suppliments and promptly enjoy relief! I hope this helps you!

Best wishes!!

Answer 7

Calcium and potassum, try a banana smoothie twice a day, plus make sure the shoes you're wearing have good supports.

Answer 8

Try not to point your toes... I know it's hard coz like you said you're sleeping... but sometimes when I stretch I'm almost half-awake. I always try to be conscious about it because the pain really hurts!!! So I TRY not to point my toes. I've been eating lots of bananas, too.

Answer 9

I've also heard that exercise helps prevent this from happening... I just started with weird leg spasms last night!!??

Answer 10

try putting some pillows underneath ur legs to keep ur legs elavated. I also found that when im sleeping & i move to fast to switch positions i would get cramps