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How Can I Relieve My Pregnancy Leg Cramps?

Now that I’m in my third trimester, I keep getting these painful cramps in my calves. Sometimes they even wake me up at night. What can I do to make them stop?
- Caroline

You're not alone — a lot of pregnant women get these lower leg cramps, often in the middle of the night. Experts aren't sure what causes "charley horses" (the non-clinical name for painful cramps in your calf muscles). Although they can be extremely painful, charley horses are — luckily! — usually momentary.

What might help:

• Do calf stretches before bed to prevent the cramps from occurring. But make sure not to point your toes.
• Straighten your leg and flex your foot when you get a cramp. A gentle massage of the calf may help relax the muscle.

Although it was once thought that leg cramps were caused by low levels of calcium, potassium, or magnesium in the blood, there is no good evidence that taking these in supplement form is helpful in treating or preventing leg cramps. If the leg pain doesn’t resolve in a few hours, especially if it's accompanied by swelling, warmth, or redness in the leg or difficulty walking, talk with your health care provider.

For more information, check out these articles.

Exercising During Pregnancy
10 Things That Might Surprise You About Being Pregnant

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