Leg Cramps

You didn't mention a THING about your diet or hydration levels. This can have EVERYTHING to do w/ the cramps. Cramps can be caused by dehydration. You need a minimum of your body weight in ounces (more if you're working out) in WATER daily.

If you are doing soda or coffee......STOP IT! caffeine is a diuretic.

Hopefully, you're taking a prenatal vitamin. Check the amount of calcium. Make sure it's adequate - NOT 25%. If it's not 100% or more of what you need, add a calcium supplement AT NIGHT. Your calcium needs to have magnesium and/or vitamin D in it. Might think about a chewable.

In addition, postassium is essential for muscle contraction. IF YOU ARE NOT GETTING ADEQUATE AMOUNTS OF POTASSIUM, this TOO may cause cramping. You prenatal should have some, but make SURE you'r diet is loaded w/ potassium rich foods.

Might want to purchase a copy of PRESCRIPTION FOR NUTRITIONAL HEALING by Balch. LOTS of user friendly info there!

In addition, since you've had a miscarriage, you'll HAVE TO GET A COPY OF PAIN FREE WOMEN by Pete Egoscue. This will take you thru EVERY trimester of pregnance and help keep your pelvis in position to handle the pregnancy AND keep you out of pain. Might even check AMAZON and Half Price book stores.

I had that with both of my pregnancies. It felt as if when I would walk, my hips would dislocate and the miscles were crampy and twitchy. Its normal, as the muscles and joints are loose and getting ready for delivery, as wierd as that sounds at 18 weeks. Try not to worry, but do slow down and ask your doctor if its too worrysome--thats why God puts doctors in our path, to ask when we're unsure. Good luck and God bless!!

Hi E.,
I get leg cramps in the calves, I've been told to eat a banana every day. It really does help. Or you can take a potassium pill.
Good luck with your pregnancy, I hope everything goes well for you this time. Be sure and talk to your Dr. about the cramping.
L.

I felt the same pain when I was pregnant. They told me it was normal. I didn't think of it as a cramp - it was more of a pain for me, but I'm SURE we are talking about the same thing. And it didn't matter how fast or slow I walked. Good luck & hang in there. I loved being pregnant - most of the time! LOL! After the baby was in my arms I kind of forgot about that pain, the wobble, the sore feet, the back pain, the nausea, etc. It's all worth it.

I hear eating bananas are good for leg cramps

This is completely normal during pregnancy. Your ligaments are beginning to relax and that makes exercising tougher on you. If you are able to do water aerobics, that might help. But, you have to be really careful to not over-do it there either. The water will relieve a lot of the pressure and pain in your ligaments, so you'll think you can do more, but once you get out of the water, it can feel worse.

I would just suggest to slow down a bit and not work out at the level you are doing now. Take it down a notch or two. That should help. Also remember to hydrate well. Lots of water.

I'm not sure, but here are my thoughts on your leg cramps: Are you low in Potassium? Muscle cramping can be due to a definciency. Have you had labs lately? Also, it could be a pinched nerve from baby growing. A thing about pregnancy and when to call the dr.: Decreased feeling of baby moving - although you may not feel it yet, uterine cramping, spotting, bleeding. If none of these things are going on and the pain is bearable, you could probably wait till your next apt. to ask about it. Sometimes strange things like that happen in pregnancy. My right leg went numb when I walked sometimes for about a minute and then would go back to normal.

Good luck!

E.,
I see you already have some good responses, but I just wanted to write too. I am 25 weeks pregnant and have been experiencing the same pain for the past five weeks or so. Does it hurt especially when you lift your legs to put on pants? That is when it hurts the worst for me.

I asked my doctor about it--and it is just your pelvic joint stretching and getting ready for birth. I would recommend taking it easy for a few days, and then lowering the level at which you are exercising. Good luck!
L.

As always, with any questions during your pregnancy, talk to your doctor. That is what you are paying him or her for. They should be able to reassure you on what's normal and what isn't. They also should be very understanding since you just had a miscarriage and this is your first pregnancy. It is normal to worry about every little thing.
R.