Leg pain after cramps during pregnancy

[pinkxray]

I am currently 22 weeks pregnant. For the last few weeks I have been getting horrible leg cramps, usually upon waking, maybe once a week. I have heard that having them is pretty common during pregnancy and i have followed all the advice on how to avoid or lessen them

However when I woke up yesterday I had a horrible charley horse like cramp and it took a few minutes to stop. It went away but my leg was a little sore the rest of the day. After work I iced it, stretched, massaged,etc. It seemed better

This morning I woke up a my leg is soooo sore. Feels like I pulled a muscle or something in the back of my calf. No swelling, heat,redness or anything but it hurts to go downstairs and step down on it. Just wondering if anyone else had lingering pain after a cramp in the leg during pregnancy? Most of the time it seems like people have cramps or charley horses but it goes away. I haven't done anything that could have pulled a muscle but do work in a hospital and am usually on my feet most of my 8 hr shift

 

[kmb584]

It sounds like it could be sciatica especially since it's running down the back of your leg. The weight of the uterus can compress the sciatic nerve and the end result is exactly what you're experiencing. You can usually counteract leg cramps by increasing potassium intake but sciatica is what it is until delivery. Also keep an eye out for any edema, redness, or warmth to your calf as those symptoms are indicative of a DVT; head to the E.R. ASAP if any or all develop.

 

[waffles77]

I had major leg cramps throughout my pregnancies. I would wake up in the night yelling. There were quite a few times that the pain continued on the follow day or two.

I have since heard that bananas could help.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Potassium intake? (Bananas)

This is if they are Charlie horses and not sciatica.

 

[quandrea]

My Dr prescribed calcium magnesium. Worked like a charm. Ask your Dr first though.

 

[crz4mm2]

My Dr prescribed calcium magnesium. Worked like a charm. Ask your Dr first though.

 

[shortbun]

Watermelon has more potassium than bananas. See/call your doctor. Sometimes it's a lack of vit E causing cramps. You need to see your doc. No sense putting up with that!

 

[cvjw]

I had them for years, during pregnancy and after. Mine have finally stopped after I:

Eat a banana each day

Gave up diet soda

Don't sleep with my legs straight - bend them a little

Good luck OP - I know how awful waking up to a charley horse in your legs can be!

 

[pigletgirl]

I had that beginning at 18 weeks with my daughter. Make sure to bring it up to your doctor. I also had sciatica and it felt different. It started in my buttock.

 

[MnMomtoboys]

Do everything everyone else said. I had Charles horses all the time when I was pregnant. What helped was stretching my leg. First lay on your back with your legs stretched out and from the ankle move your foot towards you and then stretch it out until it's pointing out. Do this as slowly as possible. I hope this makes sense. I would do this as soon as I felt a cramp coming on and doing this would stop this.

 

[superme80]

What everyone said. Leg cramps are the worse when pregnant. I feel your pain.

 

[ellone]

Potassium, calcium and magnesium. Upped how much I ate during my second pregnancy and had a handful of times with leg cramps vs. almost every day with the first. Added bonus is that upping those helps keep your blood pressure in check as you go further along (as in my doctor was amazed how unchanged my BP was at 40 weeks along).

 

[winterman]

This morning I woke up a my leg is soooo sore. Feels like I pulled a muscle or something in the back of my calf. No swelling, heat,redness or anything but it hurts to go downstairs and step down on it.

I never had leg cramps during pregnancy but have had them the last 10 years or so. Always following extended periods of sitting like long plane rides. Mostly, they would go away when I stood flat footed on the floor. On one occasion it was more painful and took longer to stop than usual. Following that episode my calf was very sore the next day. I figured it was related to how tight the muscle had been during the cramp and how long it lasted. Much like when you start a new exercise program.

For several years I have used a tablet which quickly eases the cramp and greatly decreases the occurrence of more cramps later that night. I have no idea if it can be used in pregnancy. It is called Leg Cramps and made by Hyland's. It is homeopathic. At first I only found it in health food stores but I have since seen in it supermarkets. Yesterday I saw it in Target. Check it out and then ask your OB.

 

[SamRoc]

I had horrible leg cramps with my 2 kids. my sister in law who was a ballet dancer with the Joffrey told me to go into the bathroom and put my foot on the cold porcelain bathtub. i hopped in their as soon as i felt one starting! it did relieve the cramps for me. i also started having bananas for their potassium.

 

[Christine]

I had them when pregnant also. I also had a Charley Horse so bad that it actually pulled the muscle, just as you described OP!

 

[tina.tina]

Eat bananas!!!!! Such a little change with little effort with great results.

If this doesn't work, check with your doctor.