What are leg cramps?

Leg cramps are sudden, painful muscle tightness.

Leg cramps affect up to 3 in 10 people who are pregnant. You usually feel them in your calf muscles but can also occur in your thighs or feet. This happens when acid builds up in your muscles.

Cramps usually happen at night. They are more common in your second and third trimesters.

What causes leg cramps during pregnancy?

While doctors don’t fully understand why you get leg cramps during pregnancy, reasons include:

• too much weight gain
• pressure on nerves
• poor blood flow to muscles
• having a vitamin deficiency

When should I see my doctor?

If leg cramps are bothering you during your pregnancy or they are persistent and not going away, talk to your doctor or midwife.

Leg pain can sometimes be a sign of a blood clot. If pain in your leg doesn’t go away, or if your leg is red, warm or swollen, see your doctor immediately.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

How can I treat leg cramps?

To ease a leg cramp, you can try the following:

• Stretch the muscle by pulling your toes hard up towards the front of your ankle.
• Rub the muscle firmly.
• Walk around.

If you have a partner, you could ask them to help massage the area.

If your muscles are still sore after the cramp has gone, you can take paracetamol for pain relief.

How can I prevent leg cramps?

There is no effective way to completely prevent cramps from happening. Things you can try that might help reduce cramps include the following:

• Stretch your calf muscles before you go to bed.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Avoid stretching your leg while pointing your toes.
• Have a warm bath before you go to bed.
• Eat a balanced diet.

Some people take magnesium and calcium supplements to help prevent or treat leg cramps. There is no clear evidence that these supplements work. If you’re interested in trying supplements, talk to your doctor or midwife first, to check if they are suitable for you.

Resources and support

For more information about leg cramps during your pregnancy talk to your doctor or midwife.

Read more on common concerns in pregnancy, such as leg cramps, in the NSW Health publication Having a baby.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

Visit the Royal Women’s Hospital, Victoria resource You and your boorai.