OMG :sick I felt my first one this morning! That shit hurts! I'm half asleep, stretch my leg out, and then suddenly awake faster than I can say ouch!

Time to be taking more calcium, lol. Which is funny b/c last night I had a glass of milk when I haven't drank one in a month or two!

Fun times... :worried ;)

When I was pregnant for my first 2 every morning when i streatched out my legs if i pointed my toes out i would have the worse cramps/muscle spasm's.. a few times they were so bad my husband could feel a knot that fealt like a ball in my calf. This pregnancy I have made it a point not to point my toes out and I havn't had any agonizing cramps thus far lol

I'm going to TRY to remember that, but when your half asleep, it's hard... but I'm sure I"ll learn QUICK how to remember :hehe

I drank 3 glasses of milk a day and still got em. I had to remember to point my toes upwards (towards the sky) and work out the cramp or it kept getting worse. I got em all the time and they hurt!!

My calf is twitching right now while I sit here :worried

Try eating some bananas. A lack of potassium can cause them as well.

just wait until your so decides to be sexy in the morning and get on top of you and the you get a leg cramp. not good right in the baby maker! lol

Oh yea, i've gotten those every other day for the last couple weeks in my right leg. ugh, they hurt. i can feel when it's about to happen and feel the muscle starting to knot. i usually massage it out. my calf is sore most of the time now....

Very painful! My doc said to eat more bananas cause the potassium helps.

just wait until your so decides to be sexy in the morning and get on top of you and the you get a leg cramp. not good right in the baby maker! lol

Lol


I forgot about potassium...thanks for that tip!

Potassium deficiency...

I had them BAD BAD BAD with both pregnancies. Same thing happened to me... I'd be half awake and stretch out my legs, then I'd be almost in tears from the pain. They hurt SOOOOO bad. A few of them were so bad that my leg would actually be sore for a day or two afterwards. :( you just have to TRY to remember not to stretch out your legs in the morning. I think it has something to do with your muscles being relaxed for so long, then the tensing up makes the cramp. I definitely feel your pain. Some of the cramps I had were literally agonizing. :sadeyes

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What is causing my painful leg cramps?
Your heart, kidneys, and circulatory system work extra hard to help you function normally during pregnancy, and your muscles, which are bearing the increasing weight of your pregnancy, feel the strain, too. So as a result, your tired leg muscles may seize up and cramp in protest, especially during your second and third trimester. The pain can wake you from a deep sleep.

Muscle fatigue isn't the only reason you may be suffering from leg cramps. Too much phosphorus (found in processed meat, snack foods, and soda) and too little calcium and potassium circulating in your blood can also cause muscle spasms.

And a third reason is that as your uterus expands, it can put pressure on the nerves leading from your trunk to your legs.

Is there anything I can do to stop it from happening?
Try our BabyCentre tip and eat a banana or drink a glass of milk before bed for a quick calcium and potassium boost. Don't take any herbal or vitamin supplements without first discussing it with a medical herbalist.

Here are some other tips for keeping muscle spasms at bay:

• Avoid standing or sitting with your legs crossed for long periods of time.

• Rotate your ankles and wiggle your toes when you sit, eat dinner, or watch TV.

• Stretch your calf muscles (see How to get rid of leg cramps, below) several times before you go to bed.

How to get rid of leg cramps
If you do get a cramp, stretch the muscle straight away. Straighten your leg, heel first, and gently flex your ankles and toes. It might hurt at first, but the pain will gradually go away. You can also relax the cramp by massaging the muscle or warming it with a hot-water bottle. Walking around for a few minutes may help, too.

If your muscle pain is constant and not just an occasional cramp, or if you notice swelling or tenderness in your leg, contact your doctor. In rare cases (one in 2,000) a pregnant woman can develop venous thrombosis, or a blood clot, which requires immediate medical attention.

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It is not uncommon to experience leg cramps during pregnancy, particularly later in your pregnancy. According to Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology, almost half of all pregnant women suffer from muscle spasms in their legs, cramps tending to be more frequent during the evening.
What causes leg cramps during pregnancy?

Leg cramps may be caused by the additional weight gain of pregnancy, changes in your circulation, or a deficiency in your calcium intake. Calcium is used to support your bones and muscles along with the developing baby. There is an increased need for calcium during pregnancy, so if you are not digesting enough calcium for you and the baby, you may be experiencing a calcium deficiency.

Pressure from the growing baby may also be placed on the nerves and blood vessels that go to your legs. This pressure or pinching may be the cause of your leg cramps.
What can you do to treat leg cramps during pregnancy?

There are a few things that you can do to treat leg cramps or prevent them from occurring. Try one or more of the following interventions to help relieve or prevent your leg cramps:

* Exercise regularly; include stretches that target your legs
* Rest with your legs elevated
* Wear supportive stockings
* During a leg cramp, raise your toes towards you and have someone massage your muscles
* Dissolve four tablets of Magnesia Phosphorica 6X in a small glass of warm water
* Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may prove helpful in relieving the pain of leg cramps (do not take aspirin or ibuprofen)

Contact your healthcare provider if your leg cramps are severe or remain consistent. Your physician may prescribe additional supplements or medication.

Yeah I got them bad with Jr, but with Jasmine I ate more bananas definitely helped!

Oh yea, those things are the worst!! I would get them up in my upper thighs and butt a lot too. UGH!

POTASSIUM...it helps alot!! I also was given Benadryl at night to help my legs relax!! It helped!

I had them bad like you Brandi and I still get them but I have been REALLY careful when i streatch.. i point my toes up instead of away from me it really does help.

I was also going to mention potassium! That is usually why people get the cramps.