??????

S

smiley2

Cathlete
A few questions:
Why on earth do you get "charlie horses" when you are pregnant??
Do you get hot and sweaty quicker when you workout?I have noticed this -also the last week it seems like it is harder to do intense workouts.I get out of breath alot quicker.Is that fine to continue??
 
I could be wrong. I just saw your post - when you say "charlie horse" - do you mean a pain up the back of your leg? I got those - I think it was actually sciatica and caused by my pregnancy and pressure on my back? I'd have to look it up. Anyway, I was also breathless, etc. and I just listened to my body and toned down the pace a bit. You should check with your doctor first though!!!! Everyone's pregnancy is different. Assuming everything is normal, just listen to your body.
 
Smiley, I get awful pains in the back of my calves (the gastrocnemics muscle (sp?)), especially at night. Sometimes muscle cramps/pains are due to calcium deficiency. I've been trying to drink more milk & OJ and taking calcium supplements too. My prenatal vitamin has minimal calcium in it. Just a suggestion, take it or leave it.

As far as workouts go, I"m unable to jump as high & my legs don't go as far up my torso. It's becoming difficult to bend over to put pants on. It actually hurts. My abdomen is rock hard. My cardiac output has definitely taken a plunge too. I have to pause my videos quite often to catch my breath so I don't become anaerobic. I won't give up though. I just love to sweat and get all slippery wet. ;) I began to do the CTX series this week. It's great b/c the cardio sections are shorter (about 30 min).

Talk to you later!

Melanie
Baby boy due 1/25/04

" Take care of your body like it will last a lifetime. Take care of your soul like it will last for eternity"
 
OMG, I had terrible "charlie horses" when I was pregant. These leg cramps are caused my muscle spasms of the gastrocnemius mucles and are usually worse during the third trimester. They occur most often at night after a woman has gone to bed and is reclining, but may occur anytime. They are caused by compression of the nerves supplying the lower extermities because of the growing uterus. Also, an imbalance of the calcium/ phosphorus ratio is a possible cause. Because of the phosphorus in milk, drinking more than 1 quart of milk a day may worsen the problem. Also, sodas contain phosphates so decrease intake if you are drinking them. Some physicians recommend specific calcium supplements or other supplements, so you may want to mention your leg cramps to your health care provider and see if he or she has any recommendations (besides flatten your foot when these occur or use warm packs :).

I was hot and perspired more period. :) As has already been mentioned, listen to your body during workouts. Enjoy your pregnancy and take care!
 
Just something to ponder......my first four pregnancies I consumed lots of calcium rich dairy foods and had terrible leg cramps (in my calf). They would often times hit at night and I'd just feel like dying. The midwife assured me it was a calcium deficiency and told me to take liquid calcium as it was very absorbable and this did help. With baby number 5 and also this pregnancy I went vegan consuming NO dairy (I drank lots of milk and ate cheese and gained loads of weight with the first four!!) and wonder of all wonders...absolutely NO leg cramps ever. I was told that calcium is much more absorbable from plant foods such as spinach, dark leafy greens and I finally believe it. I was worried that I would be depriving my baby but I know that I must be getting plenty of calcium from my veggies or else I'd be getting those hideous cramps again. I thought it was an interesting observation above about not drinking more than a quart a day (milk) because of the phosphorous ratio....might be something to that, but I know that cutting out what would seemingly add calcium has helped me tremendously. And I take NO calcium supplements presently. I know there is a big debate about all this, but just thought I'd add my experience.

Briee
 
Amazing isn't it! You are so right... the foods you would think would help actually can worsen the problem. Our electrolytes are so precise and in the case of calcium and phosphorus... when one goes up the other goes down. Some providers will suggest increasing the milk intake but will also prescribe a gel to absorb the phosphorus in the milk. Others suggest decreasing milk and adding supplements. You know how medical advice can vary. Your diet seems a much easier solution, but I am a veggie lover. :) Take care!

Autumn
 
I may be way off here because it's been 7 years since I had a baby but I thought charlie horses were caused by a deficiency of potassium. I was told to eat a lot of potatoes and bananas. I have not had a charlie horse since I made sure to eat lots of potassium.

Has anybody else heard the potassium theory or did I dream this?

Oh well, I hope you find a way to stop them, they are horrible.
Lisa
 
Lisa,

You are not way off... low potassium can cause leg cramps and a lot of other stuff. But, in pregnancy the cause is usually associated with the compression of nerves and low calcium. Potassium, calcium, phosporus, and the other electrolytes imbalances overlap in signs and symptoms. It is one of the reasons I found electrolytes difficult learn.

You are right about them being horrible.

Autumn
 
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