What causes leg cramps during pregnancy, and can they be prevented?
Answer From Mary Marnach, M.D.
Leg cramps are painful muscle contractions that typically affect the calf, foot or both. They are common during pregnancy, often happening at night during the second and third trimesters.
While the exact cause of leg cramps during pregnancy isn't clear, you can take steps to prevent them.
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Stretch your calf muscles. Stretching before bed might help prevent leg cramps during pregnancy. Stand at arm's length from a wall. Place your hands on the wall in front of you and move your right foot behind your left foot. Slowly bend your left leg forward, keeping your right knee straight and your right heel on the floor. Hold the stretch for about 30 seconds. Keep your back straight and your hips forward. Don't shift your feet inward or outward. Switch legs and repeat.
- Stay active. Regular physical activity might help prevent leg cramps during pregnancy. Before you begin an exercise program, talk to your health care provider to make sure it's safe for you.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Keeping your muscles hydrated might help prevent cramps. When you're drinking enough fluids, your urine should be clear or light yellow in color. If urine is darker yellow, it might mean that you're not getting enough water.
- Get your calcium. Some research suggests that lower levels of calcium in the blood during pregnancy could contribute to leg cramps. If you're pregnant or could become pregnant, get 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day.
- Consider a magnesium supplement. Although the evidence from research studies is mixed, taking a magnesium supplement might help prevent leg cramps during pregnancy. Talk to your health care provider before you take a supplement. You also might consider eating more magnesium-rich foods, such as whole grains, beans, dried fruits, nuts and seeds.
- Wear the right shoes. Pick shoes that are comfortable and provide good support for your feet. It might help to wear shoes with a firm heel counter. That's the part that surrounds the heel and helps secure the foot in the shoe.
If you get a leg cramp, stretch the calf muscle. Walking and then sitting and raising your legs might help keep the leg cramp from coming back. A hot shower, warm bath, ice massage or muscle massage may help too.
If leg cramps keep coming back or if they are severe during pregnancy, talk to your health care provider about possible treatment options.
Show References
- Bermas BL. Maternal adaptations to pregnancy: Musculoskeletal changes and pain. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 18, 2023.
- Luo L, et al. Interventions for leg cramps in pregnancy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2020; doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010655.pub3.
- DeCherney AH, et al., eds. Normal pregnancy and prenatal care. In: Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Obstetrics & Gynecology. 12th ed. McGraw Hill; 2019. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed Jan. 18, 2023.
- Magnesium. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed Jan. 18, 2023.
- What the color of your urine means. The National Kidney Foundation. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/what-color-your-urine-means. Accessed Jan. 20, 2023.
- Frequently asked questions: Nutrition during pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/nutrition-during-pregnancy?utm_source=redirect&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=otn. Accessed Jan. 20, 2023.
- Artal R. Exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 20, 2023.
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/expert-answers/leg-cramps-during-pregnancy/faq-20057766