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Also sometimes called "charley horses," leg cramps during pregnancy usually start in the second or third trimester. These painful spasms that radiate through the calves and up the legs are very common among the expectant set.
So what’s the deal with these unpleasant charley horses? Here’s why you might be experiencing leg cramps, what you can do to ease the pain in the moment and how to lower the odds of dealing with them again in the future.
Leg cramps in pregnancy are the worst. If you’ve ever felt that sharp sudden pain up the back of your calf you know exactly what I’m talking about. Leg cramps, also known as Charley horses, or a sudden spasm and clenching of muscles usually in the calf or foot and sometimes thigh are not dangerous.
Muscle cramps, sometimes called a charlie horse, during pregnancy are one of the common discomforts experienced by approximately half of all expecting mothers. The majority of muscle cramps during pregnancy occur in the lower extremities, particularly in the calves.
Leg cramps are painful muscle contractions that typically affect the calf, foot or both. They are common during pregnancy, often happening at night during the second and third trimesters. While the exact cause of leg cramps during pregnancy isn't clear, you can take steps to prevent them. Stretch your calf muscles.
Many pregnant women get lower leg cramps, often in the middle of the night in their second and third trimesters. Experts aren't sure what causes "charley horses" (the nonclinical name for painful cramps in calf muscles).
A charley horse is a muscle spasm -- when a muscle suddenly tightens up on its own and can’t relax. These cramps can happen anywhere in your body. They’re common in your legs and feet.
Among that “and more”? Maybe you have truly awful leg cramps during pregnancy. If it’s not the incessant need to pee or the constant feeling like you’re off-balance, it’s the genuinely terrible pregnancy heartburn (or morning sickness). And when it’s none of those things, it’s Charley horses ripping through your calves.
Leg cramps are a very common pregnancy complaint. These painful muscle contractions (also called charley horses) usually occur in the calf—and often at night, when legs and feet are tired....
Charley horses are more common during the second or third trimester of pregnancy and more frequent at night. Some steps to prevent Charley horses in pregnancy include drinking plenty of water throughout the day, doing stretching exercises, and staying active.