Any advice about foot/leg cramps during the night?

[Star15]

Hi everyone

I’m 29 weeks pregnant and waking up with cramps in my legs/feet during the night. I have been using an L-shaped pillow to go under my bump and between my legs, last night I just put a normal pillow under my bump and the cramp still happened - is usually around 5.00am but last night was during the night too.

Does anyone have any tips on what to do to avoid these/what to do when they happen to help them pass as quickly as possible?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts! X

[Hollibob]

I’m not sure about leg cramps in pregnancy, but drinking tonic water is meant to help prevent it...it’s the quinine in it apparently...

[CLN1986]

I get this just in my left calf. And not every night so would be interested in hearing people’s opinions. I’ve also heard about tonic water and easing cramps. x

[Tephem]

Tonic water before bed every evening has helped my leg and foot cramps. Think bananas are also meant to help and I’ve also started drinking an isotonic drink every day (Lucozade Sport). The best thing to do if you get them in the night is to get up and stretch out your muscle ASAP. The first big leg cramp I got was so harsh that my leg was painful for about 4 days afterwards, so I feel your pain! xxx

[Star15 in reply to Tephem]

Thanks for your reply. Sorry to hear your cramps were so bad. How much tonic water are we talking?! I really don’t like it but willing to give it a go, presumably I can mix it with squash or something?! Will stock up on Lucozade too! The cramp this morning didn’t actually last that long but was painful for some time afterwards. Typical as our son slept through the night last night which hardly ever happens and didn’t wake til 7.30 so I could’ve done without the 4.50 cramp! Managed to sneak in another hour of sleep or so once the cramp/pain had gone at least! How many weeks are you? X

[Tephem in reply to Star15]

I just have a mug full of tonic water. I stick some fruit in it if I can be bothered, but I’ve totally gone off it now! Hoping I will still like it with gin 😂 Oh no, well that’s typical isn’t it. Hopefully you will have a cramp free night and your son will sleep through tonight too 🤞I’m 36 weeks now and the cramp has eased off a lot the last few weeks. If I don’t have tonic I notice I get restless legs though xxx

[Star15 in reply to Tephem]

Mug of tonic water drunk - 🤢 Hope it does the trick 😂 I’m glad it’s working for you. Thanks again for the advice x

[Tephem in reply to Star15]

🙈 Fingers crossed it works for you too xxx

[Star15 in reply to Tephem]

So far so good... no more cramps since I started having the tonic water before bed! Thanks for the tip! I don’t think I’d say I’m starting to like tonic water but I’m definitely getting more used to it so all good! X

[Tephem in reply to Star15]

Great news! It’s much nicer with gin 😂 xxx

[Star15 in reply to Tephem]

😂 Think that’s part of the issue - I don’t like gin either ha ha. I am, on the other hand, dreaming of a large glass of white wine or a pint of cider, particularly now the weather is so good... Hope all is well with you - not long til your due date, exciting! X

[Tephem in reply to Star15]

I’m dreaming of a pornstar martini myself 🍸😂 37 weeks tomorrow 😬 xxx

[must92]

I had them so bad when I was pregnant even to point I wasn’t sleeping till 4/5 in morning and gettin a bath just to ease pain a little bit, it’s awful really feel for you xx

[Star15 in reply to must92]

Oh gosh, that sounds awful! The things we have to go through...! Feels so unfair to have something so horrible at a time when getting as much sleep as possible is important! X

[must92 in reply to Star15]

The last few weeks I hardly got any , it was dreadful people say get as much sleep at your can before little one comes but it’s so hard to get comfy , needing to go toilet every 2 mins and having leg pains it’s impossible but it’s all worth it in the end xxx

[Kata89]

I got this a lot. My midwife told me that it’s normal and that I needed to increase my potassium intake. It’s horrible but stopped once baby had arrived

[Star15 in reply to Kata89]

Sorry to hear you suffered too! Thanks for the suggestion - will have to stock up on bananas! X

[2Baby2019]

I was told to drink coconut water and also increase the amount you drink

[Star15 in reply to 2Baby2019]

Ooh didn’t know coconut water was good for cramps! I’m terrible for not drinking enough in general so trying to keep as hydrated as possible x

[JulieOcean2]

I had them every half hour through the night so I feel your pain. I just used to get up and walk them off... not great advice but as soon as i had my baby they were gone. Hope you find a way to ease them xx

[Star15 in reply to JulieOcean2]

Oh gosh, every half hour must’ve been so tough! Hope your baby wasn’t awake that often once it arrived?! I’m giving tonic water a go before bed so fingers crossed that helps! X