Hi, yesterday I got the worst and first leg cramp of my first pregnancy...ahh it hurt so badly and lasted for almost 10 minutes constantly feeling better and then suddenly my muscles would tighten again and cramp. Anyways it finally went away but I had some pain in my leg following the cramp for the rest of the day. Well, I woke up this morning and couldn't even walk on that leg it hurt so badly...it wasn't a cramp but it was where I had the cramp the previous morning. Anyways, I went to the doctor just now and he said it was nothing more than a calf strain, but has anyon else suffered from a bad cramp during pregnancy that turned into a strain? I just thought it was weird that I'm still having pains from that cramp that was almost two days ago.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Cramps are serious physical problems. The first sign of a cramp I take one aspirin and only one. If it does not go away stand bye for the attack of the stiff muscle. Do not let this get out of hand. Rub the muscle, do a dance but do not let it tighten up. Hot water bottle works well. Hot water bath is good too. Cramps can do serious damage if you drop your guard. I use a muscle rub called "Banalg" Use it.
When your enlarging uterus places pressure on certain nerves (as well as a shortage of calcium), you may experience leg cramps or pains, which are more common in the last half of pregnancy. Elevate your feet whenever possible and avoid crossing your legs. You may try massaging and stretching your calf muscles before bed. Add more calcium and potassium to your diet to prevent leg cramps. When a cramp hits, straighten your leg and gently massage it until the pain lets up. Apply a heating pad or a hot water bottle to the sore area. Call your doctor or midwife if it doesn't get better, because the cramping could be a symptom of something more serious.
Leg cramps are a common and annoying complaint for many women in the later stages of pregnancy. Some experience a restless, fidgeting and somewhat aching sensation in their legs, while others will get an intense knot in the foot, calf or thigh. These cramps can be followed by a general ache in the same area. This happens most often at night when your legs are cool and there's little circulation going on. The good news is that the cause and simple solution are the same for both types of cramps.
Most experts agree that leg cramps are usually the result of either a deficiency of essential minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium, and/or they're caused by poor circulation resulting from a lack of exercise. Both of these are easy to remedy, but you will need to take charge of the situation yourself and make sure you’re getting plenty of good nutrition and adequate exercise.
In order to make sure your consuming enough calcium and magnesium, eat plenty of dark green leafy vegetables and low fat dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt. YOu should also supplement your diet with at least 800 mgs. of calcium and 400 mgs. of magnesium.
For exercise, just 30 minutes of moderate walking, swimming or yoga each day will greatly increase your circulation. Full body massage by a therapist certified in pregnancy massage also helps with circulation and has the added benefit of relieving stress and loosening your muscles. Lying on your back in a relaxed position with your feet raised on a chair or some pillows for about 15-20 minutes a day can help too.
For immediate, temporary relief, you can try pointing your toes up and pressing down on your heels. This may take a few minutes, but breathe deeply through the cramp and it should eventually release.
So, exercise, eat right and supplement your diet with the necessary minerals, and you can be free of leg cramps!
I now how you feel! With my second pregnancy I had leg cramps almost every night! I would wake up in the middle of the night with cramps all the time! They hurt really bad, sometimes they would be to the point that it would make tears come to my eyes. I would wake up my boyfriend because of the pain, and he would rub my leg!
Drink lots of water and eat bananas. This is sometime caused by lack of potassium in your body, which the bananas will provide! Also from dehydration which the water will help!
Good Luck!
I had it all the time with my first pregnancy and I have had a few bad cramps with this one. Eating more potassium can sometimes help, but really there is nothing you can do but try to felx your foot during thing cramps, sometimes that helps. Its a pain in the butt but lucky they should go away after baby is born.
I noticed they got worse throughout the night, sometimes but not always laying with a pillow between your legs helps.
I experienced the same thing just a few days ago, Thursday night, and the spot still hurts. Try drinking more water and eating more potassium.
Good luck!
I had the same thing. Doctor said its normal. I could not sleep at night because of that. Oh well..
I survived. I have my beautiful girl and the cramps are gone.
This is one of the thing you have to deal with while you pregnant. But its worted at the and. Congrats and good luck
get used to it lol i have i've had it during all my pregnancy.
Tonic water is good for cramp