Why do I get leg cramps during pregnancy?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
Pregnancy leg cramps are common nighttime calf knots - stretch toes toward shin, prevent with bedtime calf stretches and hydration. A persistently swollen, warm, one-sided calf is clot territory: same-day call.
What to do
- Toes toward shin, never pointed - the mid-cramp fix, per NHS guidance.
- Calf stretches before bed - 30 seconds each side against a wall.
- Hydrate and stay active by day - and sleep left-side with free ankles.
- Persistent one-sided swelling or warmth: call now - clot risk rises in pregnancy.
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