Severe leg and foot cramps- Please help!!

[lovebeingmummy]

I know it's normal for many women to get cramps through pregnancy.

My problem is they are very frequent.

I am finding I have that feeling of it almost cramping most of the day and at night the just keep cramping several times a night.
During the day I will have several foot cramps even when walking!
When they are not cramping my calves and feet are very tired that tired pain that comes after a cramp..

So I was wondering if anyone has had it that bad and what was the outcome?


I just would love some kind of relief:(

[OJandMe]

Are you having enough calcium and enough salt in your diet???

Lack of sodium and calcium can cause cramps.

[lovebeingmummy]

I do have a lot (more than RDI) salt:o as for calcium I do think I am having enough.

I was searching and a few sites said that calcium made no difference.

They did suggest salt but I am a shocker I love my salt..

[justmum]

Calcium, magnesium and potassium :yes: Go to a health food shop and get some tissue salts. they will talk to you about what you need and they are safe during pregnancy

[lovebeingmummy]

Thanks guys..

I had BT's done today do you think that they will give my obs some indication?

It's just I eat banana's all the time I know I should be right for salt and I do have a fair bit of cheese, avacado's and milk..

[lovebeingmummy]

Oh and does anyone have any ideas on how to relieve the pain??

I had a hot bath and within minutes of getting out I was cramping again..

[justmum]

No just flexing the foot toward your shin. Pointing your toes can set it off.

I doubt the blood tests will show anything relating to cramps - they don't really test for mineral deficiencies except the biggies (Iron, B12, vit D).

The tissue salts you need to look for are "Schuyler" brand (or something like that)

[lovebeingmummy]

Great:) I do stretch the legs its a sure killer trying to do it while your having a cramp:hissy:.. :yes:Oh I will up my dairy just incase I actually got my husband to massage my calves last night and it really helped. I didn't get (touch wood) 1 cramp last night but I still feel as if they are about to come on.IYKWIM..

[zenifa]

I found that taking the Blackmores Magnesium (I think it has calcium in it too) once at night before bed, helped relieve my leg cramps during pregnancy.
Also doing some stretches throughout the day helped me too!
Good luck, they are painful!!

[tali81]

Very normal to have cramps as annoying as they can be. I had quite alot very early on, mainly in my calf but occasionally in my feet, and they always hit me at night. But since about 30 weeks i havent had any. Usually i can feel them just before they start and i stretch my legs out and it goes away. The other thing i used to do was get my husband to massage my calves before bed(which helped alot) and i would do alot of swimming. Warm baths with the Radox salt crystals(the ones u get from chemist for muscle soreness and athletes) is really good too

[trin_007]

I get major cramps in my calves, mostly in the middle of the night ( or very early morning!) where I actually have to leap out of bed and press my foot on the floor to stretch out the cramp! I told my middie and she suggested Calcium & Magnesium supplements. I went to the chemist and picked up some Magnseium (I already had calcium at home) and this one says "assists in the prevention and relief of muscular cramps and spasms" (Wagner Magnesium Forte 400).

I've also heard that magnesium is good for easing 'after birth' pains.

[trouble]

I get them heaps at night in my calf muscles too, Im always throwing my leg in DHs face yelling about a cramp.

I was told to take what everyone else has suggested here, but it didnt work for me. :no:

But I dont get them whilst not pregnant, so I just deal with them.

[lovebeingmummy]

I will get some magnesium.. Thanks heaps, sounds like that is the way to go..

Argh the joys of pregnancy!!

[trin_007]

I just thought I would add that I have been (trying to remember to) take my mg tabs for the last few days and I can already feel the difference. When I roll over or stretch in the morning, I can feel the muscle just start to tighten a little bit like it is going into cramp, but haven't actually had cramp since my first mg tab. :yelclap:

[Jamaica]

I have the same problem, at night Im often in tears from it. Ive tried everything, calcium didnt help, massages were great but gota have someone willing to do them but the best thing Ive found is GATORADE!!!! My ob told me to drink upto a litre a day (I usually just have a 600ml bottle) and not to have it past 4pm - its a preventative.

My only tip is have it with food as it tends to cause heartburn otherwise (though this could just be me)

Good luck

[Pink73]

I found that taking the Blackmores Magnesium (I think it has calcium in it too) once at night before bed, helped relieve my leg cramps during pregnancy.


This is what my OB told me to take. I have 2 just before bed and have not had any or only very very mild ones ever since.

[bluey]

Yes I got them terribly in my pregnancies. Calcium and Magnesium helped tremendously. I also kept a belt next to the bed, so when I had one, I could fling it around my foot and pull my foot towards me - that helped ease them. DH wasn't always home, and I couldn't reach my foot any other way - my mw suggested it and it worked great.

I remember having a cramp one night that was so bad, I limped for days :(