I am 33 weeks pregnant,I was sleeping last night and woke up with a TERRIBLE leg cramp in my left calf muscle the only thing that aliviated it was flexing my toes back and forth. It still is sore today. Do you know why I may have gotten this? I was thinking maybe I need to drink more water and possibly have low potassium? Your input would be great!!!!!
Thank You
2007-11-29 01:47:54 · 31 answers · asked by ON FIRE 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
I'm 34 weeks and it has happened to me as well (about 3 or 4 times)....... it's horrible! I know exactly how you feel...
I've read it's normal in pregnancy...... increase your intake of potassium (eat bananas)
good luck!!
2007-11-29 02:35:04 · answer #1 · answered by Tiff182 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Holy C*#P YES!!!
They hurt so bad I cried. The only thing I could do was massage them out.
That is a part of the pregnancy sorry. I got them about then as well. You can try water and potassium but I did not find those to make much of a differece. All I could do was not point my toes while sleeping. That seemed to set it off.
Plus if you drink more water you will be up peeing even more, if you can imagine that.
Just Hold On!
Sorry. This will go away as soon as the baby is born.
2007-11-29 01:54:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. A lot of times I'll wake up with a muscle cramp in my calf.
2016-04-06 03:30:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most likely. I had that before. As long as it doesn't happen every night you are probably fine. Ask on your next doctor visit. Try drinking more water and have a banana each day.
Walking may help relieve some of the cramping too.
I have had this happen even when I'm not pregnant.
I hate it more when the calf cramp is joined by a foot cramp.
2007-11-29 01:52:03 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try adding some salt to your water........
Better still buy some energy drinks that athletes or footballers use as it is a lack of salt in your muscles that is probably causing it! Also through the day try stretching your legs,touch ya toes!
This will stretch ya calf's,as you are pregnant you probably won't be able to touch ya toes but that action is what you need to do,the motion is enough! Also I'd consult a medical expert on taking supplements etc as I'm not one! Good luck...
2007-11-29 01:56:31 · answer #5 · answered by Reddog 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, got cramps in my right calf all the time. Drinking more water is good for you but will not help your potassium. Years ago my husband worked in a steel mill, in the summer they were given salt tablets to take because they sweat alot and drank alot of water. The salt tablets helped keep their potassium levels up. Don't take salt tablets but eat bananas, if you like them, they are full of potassium.
2007-11-29 02:04:14 · answer #6 · answered by MARSHA A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah. I get them all the time. you're right water and potassium will help. It's worse when you get it in both legs at the same time. I'm not completely positive about this, but when it happens to me I think it's from stretching my legs a certain way and lying down on my back. I think it cuts the circulation to my legs and then when I stretch it locks up like that. Hope I helped a little. Good luck and congratulations!
2007-11-29 02:23:32 · answer #7 · answered by Mama Bear 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Only every morning I wake up for the past month or so! Mine's also always in my left calve muscle,very rarely in the right. Doctor told me to eat a banana at night before bed but I really can't tell where that has helped any. Just something us preggo gals have to live with until the lil one arrives. Good Luck!
2007-11-29 02:16:48 · answer #8 · answered by Just Call Me Jenn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every night. Either leg will cramp, and sometimes my feed almost double in half, and I have to get up, slowly, support my self, and walk around the house for a few minutes. However, since I began to take Calcium soft gel caps, the cramps are becoming less frequent.
2007-11-29 01:52:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I got charlie horses all the time when I was pregnant with my daughter.
Drinking more water helps... and eating bananas for potassium.
When you get the cramp, flex your foot, stretching toes in towards your shins... this usually helps to relieve the cramping. My doc said it was because I was active (on my feet all day) and then at night when I rested it was catching up with me.
2007-11-29 01:52:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's due to a build up of lactic acid. Some recommend taking calcium supplement to alleviate it. Lactic acid is a by-product of muscle metabolism. Your build up may be due to to poor blood flow brought about by the growing baby's bulk. Try lying on your left side. It will improve your blood circulation as the baby, and the uterus, is moved away from your blood vessels (abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava). When you lie down flat on your back, the baby, and the uterus, are lying on top of those vessels. That is why you have poor blood circulation in your lower extremities. By lying on your left side, not only is blood circulation to your legs and to your baby better, you can also alleviate the leg swelling (edema) seen in pregnancy. Hope this helps you.
2007-11-29 01:58:29 · answer #11 · answered by abokee 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋