Leg Cramps at Night During Pregnancy

I used to wake up with the WORST charlie horses. They would literally wake me from a deep sleep and it kept everything in me from screaming. I have heard and I dont know how true they are but, eat a banana before bed and also I have heard to drink gatorade. Good Luck! Hope they subside soon..

I haven't tried either one, but I'm told that a daily glass of Gatorade helps and I've read that plain yellow mustard rubbed on the cramp will ease it.

Hey V.,

I had the same thing with all three of my pregnancies. My doctor recommended viactive or some other calcium supplement b/c the growing baby inside of you is using all of yours up. It worked great! Others told me that I needed to eat more bananas for the potassium, but my doctor said that is only true if you are excersing/sweating and losing potassium that way. I hope that helps.

C.

I had the same problem. To add potassium, I started drinking a glass of cranberry juice every day and they went away. Bananas would work too but might add to the constipation that pregnancy generally creates in later months.

it's probably a charlie horse (don't know the technical term lol) the only thing to do is eat more potassium, but even then they can continue (i had them really bad with my first pregnancy, even though i ate lots of bananas). as soon as you wake up with one, flex your foot to stretch your calf and hold the stretch and it should go away quicker

For me it wasn't a potassium deficiency that caused the leg cramps, it was a magnesium deficiency. Either way, it sounds like you likely need some more minerals. Are you taking a good prenatal vitamin? If so, you might ask your doctor if it's okay to add the extra minerals to that.

OH YES!!! I am now 8 1/2 months pregnant with my 3rd, and I have had them with all three. My doctor told me to eat more potassium (banannas) and to also take Tums with extra calcium. The baby is pulling nutrition from all over your body and the legs happen to be the place most affected. I can tell a difference with each one after forgetting or not taking the extra procaution!

I used to get leg cramps too. Make sure you flex your feet toward your face when they start and start rubbing the cramp vigorisly when it first starts. There is not too much you can do. Try eating more bananas. They have potassium. Good luck.

I had this for what felt like my entire pregnancy. It was awful! The only thing that helped me was to go to bed with my feet flexed. It was hard to get used to but it really cut down on the number of cramps. Tried the bananas, tried drinking lots of water... in the end it was the flexing that helped.

Good luck!

I would eat bananas for the potassium and oranges for the calcium. They say walking alot during the day helps for the circulation.

Ok, drink more water, make sure your taking those vitamins daily, and let that supportive hubby massage them at night while you lay on your left side....make sure you tell your dr. too.
L.

Oooh, I used to hate those when I was pregnant! Brought me to tears on more than one occasion!

The pp was right, you definitely need more potassium. So try to eat a banana or a serving of kale or spinach every day. And teach yourself not to stretch with your toes pointed.

Good luck!

Some times this happens when you don't get enough potassium. Eat Bananas and other potassium rich foods. To get through the cramps point your toes up toward the sky and have your hubby rub it out. Good luck.

I got those too. I found that just taking two or three steps released them QUICKLY. As far as everyone saying eat a banana...I couldn't because they caused me to have EXTREME heartburn. Later I found out I needed more magnesium anyway. If you don't see a decrease within two days by eating things high in potassium change over to extra magnesium. And remember...they'll be replaced by joy soon! Good luck!!

Leg cramps can be a sign of a need for more calcium. Look for good dietary sources and a supplement as well. Massage them before you go to sleep, and as soon as you wake FLEX your ankles (draw the toes up toward your nose).
Good luck!!!

I had leg cramps with my first child. I know they are terrible but is part of being pregnant. You need to eat more tomatoes, bananas, anything with potassium. Good luck

I have the same issue and docs always tell me it is one of a few things...dehydration, low iron (anemic), or low potassium. All three can cause cramps and that likely is what it is. Try taking an extra bit of iron or eating some extra foods that are rich in iron, and then eating a banana a day. Do that and stay hydrated and you should be good to go. Hope that helps!

This happened to me with all 3 of my pregnancies, as well as RLS. Make sure you are taking your vitamins and eat an extra banana to help keep your potassium levels up. Also, make sure you are getting plenty to drink, because dehydration can increase cramps. Finally, I got a body pillow to help position my legs better be more comfy over all. Hope this helps:)

I had some really bad leg cramps that woke me up and could not be rubbed or flexed away. Not even by the strong carpenter's hands of my husband. My advice while one is happening... Get up, and walk it off. It's painful but works quickly, and it's not like you were sleeping through it anyway. As far as everyone saying you should get more potassium, I'm not sure. My midwife told me to take a liquid calcium/magnesium supplement each night before bed, and this REALLY helped. I haven't had a leg cramp in almost two months (I am now at 36 weeks), and my only sleeping complaint is the ache in my pelvis when I roll over in bed. The liquid supplement is the kind of calcium/magnesium that is easiest for your body to absorb. It is chalky, but not too unpleasant. The one I buy tastes like blueberries. Good luck, and I hope you get some sleep soon!

rub mineral ice (Blue gel) on your legs at night. You can get it at walmart.

Massage your legs. Your muscles are cramping. Drink more water.

You might need more potassium. My mom always told me when I was pregnant to make sure that I ate at least 2 bananas a day so I wouldn't get leg cramps. I got a few with my first son but didn't get any with my other two boys. See if that will work for you.