leg cramps at night

[kirstygem]

Any advice on really painful leg cramps at night? Just been this week but last night was so so painful. Anyone know what causes them or anything that helps with them? I am 20 weeks with 2nd baby

[nervousal]

What helped my leg cramps when I was preg was when I started to take gaviscon for the heartburn! I think its to do with the potassium? Some folk say bananas have the same effect. I feel your pain!

[Takenoprisoners]

I have suffered this badly with both pregnancies - am now 29 weeks with second. Try drinking tonic water/bitter lemon (I think the quinine is supposed to help). Another vote for bananas/upping your potassium intake. Lots of leg-stretches in the evening & circling your ankles. Hope this helps - it's agonising, I know!

[looneytune]

I'm going to start on bananas as heard they help. I had another bad one 3 nights ago and now can't walk properly on my right leg as it pulled a bloomin muscle!

[meep]

Have a banana just before bed - and if you do get a leg cramp eat one as soon as you are able to hobble to the fruit bowl - don't know if it was the effort of hobbling and trying to walk or the banana that did the trick but it always owrked for me!

[Anagram]

This is how I got rid of mine ... was crippled for days several times in my first pregnancy ... in second pregnancy have had just mild twinges that go away.

1. Mag Phos 8 - homeopathic remedy - has magnesium (suggested both by my private consultant and my yoga teacher)
   
   
2. sports drinks with electrolytes (potassium, calcium, sodium). The one that works best for me is Taut Sport Endurance Salted Lemon. Stay away from stuff that's mostly sugar. You can also buy electrolyte powder in outdoor stores (such as Snow and Rock or Blacks) and make your own mix. I order the Taut Sport online in cases...
   
   
3. orange juice (high in potassium), bananas -- for me not as effective as #1 and #2
   
   
4. stretching my legs often