My last blood test results came back that I was low in Vitamin D. I started taking the tablets, and have read on the bottle that it helps absorb calcium.
I had cramps in my calves with both of my other pregnancies from the second trimester onwards. I can't remember where I heard it, but it is important to stretch the cramp, not squash it up further so I found it really useful to stretch my calves by pointing my toes back towards me as soon as I woke with the cramp and found that this did the trick. The worse thing you can do for the pain is to point your toes away from you. I did this once and the cramp was so bad it took a while to get rid of it. I think I have described it properly anyway - if you pull your toes towards you then you should feel the calf muscle stretch. I found this useful for me, hope it is useful for you too.
Actually I have always been told the opposite by physios and osteos.
Stretching is great when you arent cramping, but when you are its best to compress the muscle, becaue stretching it can aggrevate and potentially cause injury.
I didn't know that. I went and googled cramping in pregnancy to see if I can trace down the source of the info I gave above and it seems to be quite common advice given on pregnancy websites to try stretching your calf muscle by pulling your toes toward you. Otherwise they say that you can try applying a hot or cold pack to the affected site. Stretching worked for me, but maybe talk to your doctor about it if there is the potential for it to be dangerous.
I used to get cramps in my leg so bad. It was always when I was getting out of bed. One time my leg was just stuck out in front of my like cardboard. It was extraordinary. I stretched it out by grabbing my toes and pulling. Each time I ended up with no ill effects afterwards. My muscles weren't sore or anything, it was just annoying.
I asked my OB and he said to drink Tonic Water because it has Quinine in it. I didn't do it long, because it tastes like garbage. I just ate bananas instead and drank normal water.
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