Restless Leg Syndrome and Pregnancy

One of the many conditions that can affect women when pregnant is RLS or restless leg syndrome and the percentage affected can be as high as 26%. This can be one of many sleep problems that suddenly begin or increase in severity for a pregnant woman which is unfortunate because this is the time when women need their sleep more than ever.

There are many physical and emotional factors that may contribute to sleep difficulties during pregnancy. However, the good news is that by 6 months after delivery, this pregnancy RLS is gone.

Some of the reasons for restless leg syndrome and other sleep problems during pregnancy can be:

• As your body grows and changes, your old sleep positions might not feel so comfortable anymore.
• You might be feeling the aches and pains of a normal pregnancy, such as heartburn, nausea, or hemorrhoids, and these can tend to keep you awake at night.
• Your bladder holds less fluid as your baby grows. You might need to get up several times a night to urinate.
• Emotions and anxiety about birth, becoming a mother, work and your changing relationship with your partner might also play a part in keeping you tossing and turning between the sheets.
• Approximately 30% of women start to snore during pregnancy because of increased swelling in their nasal passages which can partially obstruct the airways. Such snoring can lead to high blood pressure, putting both mother and baby at risk. In severe cases of such blockage, a condition called sleep apnea may occur where there are brief instances during which breathing actually stops. If you snore loudly at night and find yourself very tired from a poor night’s sleep, tell your doctor about it.
• RLS itself usually occurs just as you are trying to fall asleep or when you have been sitting for long periods (such as watching a movie or during a long car ride) when you can feel an uncontrollable urge to move around to relieve crawling, tingling or burning sensations deep inside your legs. While moving your limbs brings immediate relief, it is only temporary and those same sensations can soon return.
• The discomfort of RLS tends to increase during the evening or night while sitting or lying down seems to trigger the restlessness in the legs.
• Your feet or toes may move slightly or jerk when you are sitting still or resting.
• If it the RLS becomes severe, keep a sleep schedule so you can show your doctor.

How to help restless leg syndrome during pregnancy:

• Try to take some exercise before bedtime such as a brisk walk, stretching exercises for your legs (stretch your legs, do knee bends or rotate your ankles) or even have a swim.
• Get a massage for the affected area on the legs or persuade your partner to do one for you.
• Try applying warm or cold packs to the affected area or taking warm or cool baths – depending on which you find helpful.
• Practice relaxation techniques – such as meditation, yoga or deep breathing.
• Avoid caffeine because this can aggravate the symptoms of RLS.
• Make sure you are active before bedtime rather than lying in bed reading or watching television.
• Check with your doctor if you need to take additional iron. Folate deficiency, hormonal changes and circulatory changes can all be possible causes of RLS when you are pregnant.
• Try sleeping in your side with a pillow between your legs
• If you are still working, and sitting at a desk, stand up frequently and walk around.

With some changes to your routine, you may well find that you are able to improve any RLS problems during pregnancy but the important thing to remember is that once your baby is safely delivered and you are getting back to normal again, any RLS will probably disappear as quickly as it came.

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