OMG - My first leg cramp during pregnancy!!

All I can say is WOW that HURT like words I cannot say.

4am this morning - my last night on my business trip and I got the cramp in my calf. I let out a scream - the people staying in surrounding rooms must have thought someone died.

Then once the cramp released, it was a little inflamed of course, but then started to itch in that area. I freaked out that it could be a Deep Vein Thrombosis. I sat there alone in my room wondering if the Lovenox didn't work and if I should just leave NJ and come back to the island and go to the hospital.

Needless to say, I stayed, the itch was probably b/c the room was so dry, as it went away, but I refused to go back to sleep for fear I'd wake up with a blue leg. I had to be at training at 8am and had to give my presentations for evaluation. I have to say I think I did well on 3 of the 4 presentations, but not terrible on the other one. I'm SO tired.

Now, what I don't get - I drank a ton of water this week and had a banana daily... I thought the leg cramps during pregnancy were from dehydration and/or lack of potassium. What have you all done to prevent these crazy cramps? I never want anyother one. I've been stretching my calf muscle all day long, it still hurts a bit!

Re: OMG - My first leg cramp during pregnancy!!

Eek! how far along are you? I don't have any advice but to eat bananas, seems like that may not work

Re: OMG - My first leg cramp during pregnancy!!

I drink so much water (more than reccommended amount) and eat a banana every morning, and I still get them occasionally. I had a few really bad ones last night. It helps to massage it during a cramp and stretch your muscles after.

Re: OMG - My first leg cramp during pregnancy!!

How much Calcium are you getting? Extra Calcium made mine go away. Feel better.

Re: OMG - My first leg cramp during pregnancy!!

I got one last night and I wasn't even asleep yet. They really hurt!!

Re: OMG - My first leg cramp during pregnancy!!

I was up 2x last night w/ horrible leg cramps... I dont think there is much u can do. I drink water like crazy so it def cant be that!!!

Is this going to be a nightly thing - I had another one!

Last night I had one again at the exact same time - 4am... only in the other leg. Luckily this time DH was there to do his pressure point thingie and he got the cramp to release a lot faster than it did when I was in the hotel room alone.

I'm out of legs!!! I still have about 11 weeks to go before I have the baby! This is by FAR the worst part of being pregnant so far. And I thought the rest was pretty bad.

I can't imagine it being a calcium deficiency, but I'll ask the doc on Tuesday when I go for my growth sono - I take several Tums EX750 everyday. I do know that Lovenox can cause calcium deficiency - but that's why the doc recommended the Tums even before the heartburn started. Now with all the heartburn, I take about 4-6 a day!

I ate a banana every day while I was away last week. Is it overkill to eat more than one? Can too much potassium hurt you or the baby?

PS. The first leg still hurts from that horrible cramp. I look rediculous trying to walk with 2 messed up calf muscles.

Re: OMG - My first leg cramp during pregnancy!!

Welcome to my world! I was getting leg cramps every morning. Then I started eating bananas on a regular basis and drinking gatorade and these seem to be working.

Also, my doctor said to stretch before I go to bed at night and/or take a warm bath.

Re: OMG - My first leg cramp during pregnancy!!

I get them every once in a while and they are the absolute worst!!! I drink tons of water and eat a banana every day. They seem to happen less often now.

Re: OMG - My first leg cramp during pregnancy!!

Oh man I feel you- those are the WORST!
I have started waking up when I feel the tightening, before the cramp, and I flex my foot as hard as I can. It completely prevents the cramp.
DO NOT POINT YOUR FOOT!

I actually flex my feet all day, becaus emy calves always ache with tightness.