calf cramping

[Lewis's Mummy]

I know getting leg cramps during the night is boringly normal at this point, but has anyone still had one that lingers the next morning despite trying to 'exercise' it away? Got a really ouchy one at about 4am and had to stand up and put my foot on the ground to get it to stop killing so I could go back to sleep, it was there as a dull ache when I went to shower this morning so aimed the water at it and streched it out a little, but it's still there now... is that part of it normal for anyone else?

[Olive]

its quiet common infortunatly and very ouchie too! i think taking extra magnesium is ment to help

[Persephone1]

Take two Calcium/Magnesium tablets just before bed and it works wonders! I've only been getting leg cramps when I've forgotten to take my Cal/Mag!

As for having them "linger" I hope the pain subsides for you. I don't have any other advice, sorry.

[human bean]

I second and third the magnesium advice - worked wonders for me throughout my pregnancy! One of the girls in my preg swimming class said she was told to take it in the morning, not the evening, as it can be a stimulant, but not sure how much truth there is in that theory?! I just took it in the morning with everything else I was taking so I remembered.

I only had 2 actual cramps that got me out of bed, but there were some days it just felt like they were just 'under the surface' and ready to go, iykwim? I tried to stay more active on it and ready to jump up and walk if I thought it was going to take hold!

[Pandora]

Yep. Magnesium and or tissue salts.
I had cramping in my legs constantly through both pgs, and can honestly say the magnesium made a huge difference as I only took it for the second pg and it was remarkably better

[Renee_AW]

Ouch...don't they hurt.

I was getting leg cramps, not every night but when I did they were painful not just when they happened but for days afterwards.

I see an amazing herbalist (she helped with this pregnancy after six years TTC!) and she gave me a homeopathic remedy which is a liquid magnesium phosphate. I only take it when I get the cramps (which I like...only getting what I actually need) and as soon as I start putting the drops in my mouth the cramps disappear. It's like magic.

After a couple of weeks they stopped altogether.

I am sure if you wanted to try this approach you could get this from any herbalist.

[Lewis's Mummy]

Thanks girls. I actually phoned the hospital to ask a midwife about the lingering aspect and she said as long as there was no redness at the site and no lump and I still had sensation in my foot not to worry, especially as I haven't had blood pressure or fluid problems. With a lump or redness she said to call again and they'd get it looked at because some women get dvt or similar during pregnancy - thankfully it has subsided today - fingers crossed for a cramp free night tonight, it's another 36 hours before there'll be a pharmacy open near us to get any magnesium...