Many pregnant women get leg cramps in their lower legs during pregnancy. Commonly called charley horses, they can be momentarily very painful. They are not a serious medical condition.

Signs and Symptoms of Leg Cramps During Pregnancy

Leg cramps are characterized by a sharp, grabbing pain in the calf muscle of the leg. They occur most often at night. The cramp may force you to point your toe involuntarily.

Causes of Leg Cramps During Pregnancy

It is thought that leg cramps during pregnancy are caused by poor circulation in the legs or an imbalance of calcium and phosphorus in the body

Treatment of Leg Cramps During Pregnancy

If you are having a leg cramp, flex your foot gently in the opposite direction as the cramp is pulling. Try standing up and applying pressure that way, or pull your toes toward you as you are in bed and slowly straighten your knee out.

Prevention of Leg Cramps During Pregnancy

Leg cramps can be reduced by following measures:

• Stretch your legs before you go to bed, but do not point your toes
• If you consume a lot of soft drinks, snack foods and processed foods you may have an imbalance due to the high phosphate content of these foods. Reduce or eliminate those foods from your diet.
• If you consume a lot of yogurt, milk, or cheese, you may have a calcium imbalance. Track your consumption to see if you are getting significantly more than the 1200mg of calcium that is recommended during pregnancy, and reduce your consumption to the recommended amount to see if that helps.
• You may have an imbalance if you do not consume enough dairy products. Track your consumption of dairy products to see if you are getting the recommended 1200 mg of calcium in your diet. Increase your consumption of these foods if you are calcium deficient.
• Wear support hose during the day if you have poor circulation in the legs
• Take warm baths to improve circulation
• Lie in your left side when resting
• Avoid standing for long periods of time