I’m definitely on my second pregnancy!!!
I still have *nothing* to complain about compared to so many wonderful mommies, but I’m noticing a difference this time! I’m feeling (very mild) contractions when I over-exert myself and occasionally when Aidan nurses (obviously can’t compare that to last time). My complexion is duller with this dry weather than last time – lots of moisturizer!
And the main difference – leg cramps! Oi! UG! I didn’t have any with Aidan and this time they are getting to be nearly every night! I woke up at 6am today with a cramp – and it was a day that I could sleep in!!!
I’ve read up a bit on the causes and treatments and it looks like the long and short of it is that no one knows. Massage is an obvious solution, as is warmth. I want to prevent them though! There are some theories that cramping (in legs at least) has to do with a deficiency in potassium, magnesium, or calcium (ok, or about half a dozen other things). I regularly eat foods rich in all of those things, but here’s what is kicking me in the butt:
Caffeine may affect absorption of some of those! :(
So here’s my public service announcement/confession/apology to all of you who have looked at me with my 1 coffee a day and thought “isn’t she pregnant???” – I may have been drinking too much caffeine after all. There’s no way to know, of course, but I’ve decided to go ahead and make the sacrifice.
Instead of my morning coffee today I had this:
YUM! :) Not quite as comforting as a cuppa joe, but I’ll live. :D
Anyone else have any remedies or suggestions in case caffeine isn’t what’s causing them?
I definitely believe calcium and magnesium make a huge difference…but if you get a lot of calcium in your diet naturally, just take a magnesium supplement. Too much calcium will inhibit mag. absorption. :)
Also, I found that for me my leg cramps seem to ALSO be related to RLS (only when I'm pg…I don't deal with this stuff otherwise). Taking homeopathic zincum metallicum seems to help. :)
silly question, B, but isn't magnesium what they give women in pre-term labor? I haven't done any of the research – just throwing it out there in case you know – can I take too much magnesium?
Yes, Mag is what they give women who are having pre-term contractions and they also give it for high blood pressure. My pharmacist boss said that IV magnesium seems to help most issues with pregnant women. As far as I know, you can't get too much orally because it has a laxative effect. If you want to take a magnesium supplement, take one daily at first. If that doesn't cause problems, you could take more. If you want to be very cautious, take one every other day.
No help as I used to get leg cramps frequently at one time in my life & I never really understood why! I don't get them while pregnant & I, too, drink a cup of coffee daily. I do take a calcium, vitamin D3, vitamin C (these 3 per recommendation of my chiropractor for immunity building), DHA & prenatal supplement, though, so not sure if the calcium is preventing them or what. Hope you find some relief!!
Yes, that's magnesium sulfate that they give in those cases.
Mama Calm is a magnesium supplement designed for pregnant and nursing women. It's what I've been taking this pregnancy and I like it. If you get too much you'll know. ;) But if you just take a recommended dose daily it shouldn't be a problem.
Thanks for all of the advice ladies!
I may be feeling bad in general – exhausted and achy and my throat hurts a little. So maybe it is all related. I slept for 10 hours last night and feel a bit more rested so we'll see how today goes. I've been taking a magnesium supplement for 2 days now and so far no cramps – though I still feel that tense feeling on my left side like they might happen any time.
Have another doc appointment in less than a week so I'll see what he thinks and make sure there's nothing funky going on.
I'm probably not much help — I got leg cramps and drank almost no caffeine (in any form) while pregnant, so I don't know how related the two are. I do think yoga helped a little. Hope you find something that helps — I know how annoying and painful it can be!
Where has this post and comments been?! I soooo needed this. Wow… Great input here!