Is it normal to feel like you have restless leg syndrome when you're pregnant?
I've heard of women getting it in the last trimester but I'm only 11 weeks along… It's driving me crazy, every single night when I try to get to sleep my legs ache and I can't stop moving them for hours. Has anyone had this? Does anything help?
If you've started feeling an uncontrollable urge to move around in bed to relieve crawling, tingling, or burning sensations deep inside your legs, you most likely have restless legs syndrome (RLS). Some researchers estimate that up to 20 percent of pregnant women develop this problem during the last few months of pregnancy, though others believe it's much less common than that. Some women get it during their first trimester, and some women get it in their last. Every pregnancy is different.
You'll usually notice symptoms when you're at rest, especially right before you fall asleep or when sitting still for long periods, such as at the movies or during long car rides. Most of the time, you'll feel it in your legs, but some women experience it in their arms as well.
Moving your limbs brings immediate relief, but unfortunately, it's only temporary. As soon as you sit or lie down, the sensations return. Your restless legs may even be waking you up once you're asleep.
If symptoms are disrupting your sleep night after night, you may end up seriously fatigued. The good news is that if your RLS started during your pregnancy, it's likely to disappear altogether within two to four weeks after you give birth.
There are a number of theories about why some women experience RLS during pregnancy. Iron deficiency, folate deficiency, hormonal changes, and circulatory changes are all possible culprits.
Recent research suggests that women may develop the sensations when certain brain cells aren't getting enough iron. Some medications, such as antihistamines in various cold and allergy remedies, seem to make the symptoms worse for some people. About half of all sufferers have a family history of the condition.
Although there are drugs that treat RLS, most are not recommended during pregnancy. Instead, ask your doctor or midwife whether you should try iron supplements. Iron can sometimes relieve RLS even in women who don't appear to be iron-deficient.
Some women find it helpful to stretch their legs, get a massage, use hot or cold packs, take warm or cool baths, or practice relaxation techniques. Avoid caffeine and antihistamines because they can make symptoms worse.
Finally, avoid lying in bed reading or watching television before you go to sleep, because the longer you lie still, the worse your symptoms will become. Instead, go to bed only when you're actually ready to turn in.
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January 18th, 2009 at 3:03 am
I've had it throughout my whole first and second trimester and it's finaly better now at 36 weeks. It's normal.
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January 18th, 2009 at 3:25 am
Yes it's normal but if it's bothersome ask your doctor. Ihad it BAD right after my first was born. As soon as I calmed down and my hormones worked themselves out it went away THANK GOODNESS!!!
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January 18th, 2009 at 3:45 am
Very normal. Every time I get into a fit, my husband tells me to stop shaking his baby. LoL. I always shook my leg before I was pregnant, but now it's just worse because of my nerves. It should get better. I don't do it as much anymore. Good luck and congrats!
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January 18th, 2009 at 4:02 am
If you've started feeling an uncontrollable urge to move around in bed to relieve crawling, tingling, or burning sensations deep inside your legs, you most likely have restless legs syndrome (RLS). Some researchers estimate that up to 20 percent of pregnant women develop this problem during the last few months of pregnancy, though others believe it's much less common than that. Some women get it during their first trimester, and some women get it in their last. Every pregnancy is different.
You'll usually notice symptoms when you're at rest, especially right before you fall asleep or when sitting still for long periods, such as at the movies or during long car rides. Most of the time, you'll feel it in your legs, but some women experience it in their arms as well.
Moving your limbs brings immediate relief, but unfortunately, it's only temporary. As soon as you sit or lie down, the sensations return. Your restless legs may even be waking you up once you're asleep.
If symptoms are disrupting your sleep night after night, you may end up seriously fatigued. The good news is that if your RLS started during your pregnancy, it's likely to disappear altogether within two to four weeks after you give birth.
There are a number of theories about why some women experience RLS during pregnancy. Iron deficiency, folate deficiency, hormonal changes, and circulatory changes are all possible culprits.
Recent research suggests that women may develop the sensations when certain brain cells aren't getting enough iron. Some medications, such as antihistamines in various cold and allergy remedies, seem to make the symptoms worse for some people. About half of all sufferers have a family history of the condition.
Although there are drugs that treat RLS, most are not recommended during pregnancy. Instead, ask your doctor or midwife whether you should try iron supplements. Iron can sometimes relieve RLS even in women who don't appear to be iron-deficient.
Some women find it helpful to stretch their legs, get a massage, use hot or cold packs, take warm or cool baths, or practice relaxation techniques. Avoid caffeine and antihistamines because they can make symptoms worse.
Finally, avoid lying in bed reading or watching television before you go to sleep, because the longer you lie still, the worse your symptoms will become. Instead, go to bed only when you're actually ready to turn in.
References :
mommy of a four month old boy
http://www.babycenter.com/0_sleep-problem-restless-legs-syndrome_7549.bc
January 18th, 2009 at 4:12 am
hell yeah. if you start suffering from cramp drink a small glass of tonic water with your evening meal. the quinine in it helps no end. good luck
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2 kids later
January 18th, 2009 at 4:26 am
its 100% normal! i had it through out my whole pregnancy. and bad leg cramps too. oh the joys of pregnancy! lol
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