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quinjai3
quinjai3 | April 2008

leg cramps in pregnancy

hi to all,

i'm 21 weeks pregnant with my thrid little one and am having the worst leg cramps mainly at night but sometimes during the day as well. they are usually at the top of my legs but i have recently had some in my calfs which have been bad enough to wake me up at night.

my question is firstly is this normal for pregnancy as i didn't have it with my other pregnancies and seconly what are some was to ease the pain or to prevent them.

 



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cheekymonkey
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2008 | cheekymonkey
Re: leg cramps in pregnancy

It can be the result of a magnesium deficiency. I had awful leg cramps when pregs amongst other things. I had to get prescription medication to ease extreme reflux and it contained magnesium, so luckily for me it killed 2 birds with one stone.



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LuvMyBub
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2008 | LuvMyBub
Re: leg cramps in pregnancy

Leg cramps are common in pregnancy and are just plain painful! I had awful cramps in my calves and around my hips mostly at night. All pregnancies are differant so what you will experience with one might not happen with the next. I asked my hubby to massage my calves a bit before going to bed and it seemed to help alot. Also try a short stroll in the evening if you can, the exercise seemed to ease the cramps for me.



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Izzy
4.14 (Good) | April 2008 | Izzy
Re: leg cramps in pregnancy

this is normal during pregnancy, though it doesn't happen to all pregnant women.  What you can do once it starts, is to flex your foot up towards you. Once you feel the cramp coming on, bring your leg up to your chest and grab your foot up. It will stop the cramps immediately. 

When you're in bed, try not to have your feet (toes) point down away from you. Always keep them pointing at the ceiling. Having your toes point down will make it easier for the cramps to start.



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dannii17
4.24 (Good) | April 2008 | dannii17
Re: leg cramps in pregnancy

Hi, Like everyone else has said, leg cramps are normal during pregnancy..Im 27weeks pregnant and i suffer from them bad daily. I get them in my calf muscles normally when ive just woken up, and im woken by them.The whole muscle goes tight and i cant move and i just lay there crying.The best thing is try and stretch it out, flex your toes back and forth it relieves it for me, and massage the area that its hurting..I an only flex my toes now cos i cant really bend over my belly to massage lol

I hope they stop for you.

Dannii xxo



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Arna
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2008 | Arna
Re: leg cramps in pregnancy

Leg cramps are common in pregnancy.  Mine are caused by a lack of salt and the increased need for salt.  I recommend upping (only a little) your salt intake, taking a good multivitamin and gentle walking and leg excercises.  Try to avoid sitting cross legged as this restricts blood flow and don't spend all day on your feet.



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tassiebiarch
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2008 | tassiebiarch
Re: leg cramps in pregnancy

Hi there i dont mean to scare you but ask your doctor about it even tho cramps are common in pregnancys apparently. I never had them until my last and it was a sign of a blood clot which travelled from my legs DVT then ended up in my lung.. all from cramps in my legs that was a sign and i dont wish it upon anyone.

And it was all pregnancy related blood clot

tassie



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allyp
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2008 | allyp
Re: leg cramps in pregnancy

Ahhhh yes the lovely leg cramps.. I hated having those. I think that was the worst part about my pregnancy.

Another thing that will help is that (which ever leg it is having the cramps or maybe both) put them on a cold floor and gently ease up on them.. It does help.. I have tried, it may not seem like it at first because your leg hurts like a b!tch but once your pregnancy is over, it will all go away!

Good luck.. Even try drinking lots of water.. I heard that somehow helps?



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toosh
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2008 | toosh
Re: leg cramps in pregnancy

It is very normal & I had them with my second pregnancy really badly in my calves all the time. Try some heat on the areas where you get them & also massage helps. I used to just have to walk them out!



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Practical-Princess
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2008 | Practical-Princess
Re: leg cramps in pregnancy

Do you have much salt in your diet? Sometimes not enough salt can cause cramps. It does with me. If I get cramps, I increase salt in my diet & it helps.

If that doesn't help try a hot water bottle or heat packs. They can help.

The joys of pregnancy! Good luck xx



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missnickley
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2008 | missnickley
Re: leg cramps in pregnancy

I suffered from leg cramps with my first pregnancy,  I always had them in my calf and my husband had to get up and help me to move by massaging it and slowly getting me out of bed to get some movement going. I havent had them as yet this time around so fingers crossed!!!

Here is some info I found and also here. I hope this helps you!

 



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mum2four
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2008 | mum2four
Re: leg cramps in pregnancy

Hi there,I dont really ever remember suffering form cramps that often,but i do have bad hips so if I did I would have just put it down to my hips anyway.But I was at the chemist the other day and I saw this little spray bottle it was for muscle aches and cramps,it said it was ok for pregnent women also.Dont remember the name I think it was just call cramp stop or something like that.Dont know how well it would work either but thought it was interesting and thought i would pass this information on to you.Maybe ask at your local chemist.Good luck.

                                                             Cham



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electrifying02
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2008 | electrifying02
Re: leg cramps in pregnancy

hello

yes they are normal i am having them more this pregancey which i am the same as you 21 wks and third child .mine are all at night just when you get in a nice sleep it wakes you

i have just taken pandol or walking on cold floor has worked for me

love belxx



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Juzzy
5.00 (Excellent) | April 2008 | Juzzy
Re: leg cramps in pregnancy

Hi,

Leg cramps are very common in pregnancy. My ob told me it was a lack of salt in the diet and lack of water. I found and i know it sounds really stupid that salt and vinger chips really helped with the cramping at night. Eating them i mean not just putting them on your leg.....

Hope this helps



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