Experiencing Leg Cramps During Pregnancy?


During the final months of your pregnancy, you may awaken suddenly from a deep slumber with sudden and extreme muscle cramping in the lower back of your leg. Many people refer to these painful episodes as "Charley Horses," a term that most likely originated in baseball jargon!

What Causes it? What Does it Feel Like? Although the exact cause of leg muscle spasms during pregnancy is unclear, it has been speculated that the leg muscles become overworked from carrying extra weight or that an imbalance of certain minerals is a contributing factor. Since your pregnant body is experiencing circulation changes, poor blood circulation is also associated with muscle cramping. Typical leg cramping during pregnancy occurs during sleep in the calf muscles. Yet, if you would describe your pain as sharp, sudden, and "radiating" down one leg, then you could be experiencing sciatica, which is pain that may be caused by your uterus pressing on the sciatic nerve in your hip area.


What To Do? In most cases, when you have muscle cramping in your calf, it can be resolved by pulling your toes toward you, and massaging the muscle area. If you think that the muscle cramping may be related to your diet, ask you pregnancy doctor about mineral supplements. In addition to calcium, potassium, and magnesium, some believe that vitamin B12 is helpful, as well. For sciatic nerve pain, you should experience relief as your baby moves around, which shifts the weight of your uterus off the nerve. Some find it helpful to apply a heating pad to the hip and/or leg area to relieve pain. To improve circulation, avoid crossing your legs, stretch throughout the day, take a short walk, and lie on your left side when resting.

Is it Serious? Having occasional leg cramps in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy can be  common. But, whatever the cause of your discomfort, always call your doctor right away about any questions or concerns, especially if you experience new, unusual, severe, constant, frequent muscle pain or cramping. Also, be aware that if the area feels warm, swollen, red, or sore, that these can be signs of a blood clot, which can occur more often in pregnancy, and is a very serious condition that needs immediate medical attention.

Lastly, remember to drink plenty of water during the day, as keeping hydrated is an important factor in preventing leg cramps, and enjoy a warm, luxurious milk bath to relax your muscles before bed!


Written by Shelley Scheibel, RN, BSN