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?
– Emelia
You're not alone — many pregnant women get these lower leg cramps, often in the middle of the night in the second and third trimesters.
Experts aren't sure what causes "charley horses" (the nonclinical name for painful cramps in your calf muscles). Although they can be extremely painful, charley horses are — luckily! — usually brief.
What might help:
Some have thought that leg cramps were caused by low levels of nutrients like calcium in the blood, but there's no good evidence that taking supplements is helpful in treating or preventing leg cramps.
If the leg pain doesn't ease; is severe; or is accompanied by swelling, warmth, or redness in the leg or difficulty walking, talk with your health care provider right away.
Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date Reviewed: 14-04-2015