Restless Leg Syndrome and Pregnant

I developed restless leg syndrome while I was pregnant 18 years ago. They didn't have a name for it then, but I have had episodes in the last couple of years. The dr. did some tests and it was an issue of a nerve being pressed with where the baby was positioned. It went away immediately after delivery. The only thing that helped was lying on my right side and eating more bananas. I hope this helps.

I am middle-aged but I also have RLS. I read the Doctor's advice in the daily Topeka paper and he mentioned the soap under the sheets. I tried it and it really works for me! No more sleepless nights!

I have 4 kids so we are done having babies now, but I swore I had this while I was pregnant. I tried talking to my doctor about it and even printed off info from the internet about it and told him this was exactly what I was experiencing, and he acted like I was crazy. Very frustrating. So I just tried to treat myself - iron and potassium. It's a strange sensation so I do feel for you. Like we don't have a hard enough time sleeping when we're pregnant anyway! Good luck!

I had it but not until the last trimester. I took benedryl to help me sleep. Since we are limited on what we can take, I knew that benedryl would help me fall asleep. I was still tired in the morning but after taking it a couple of days, I didn't notice it as much and still slept fairly well.

I completely feel for you. I have that problem a lot, and the only comfort I can get is some massage. Maybe your husband can massage your calves for 5 or 10 min when you go to bed. I also learned a technique in childbirth class, where you relax. Basically, what you do is start with your toes, and say to yourself, "my toes are relaxed", and wiggle them. Next, "my ankles", and so on, all the way until you get to your head, and you feel your whole body relax. I hope this helps some. Congrats on your baby!!

Yes it is annoying and I had this during my pregancy,I did pelvic tilts where you get down on all fours and move your pelvis up and down side to side.It puts baby in different positions and off your nerves where it is stimulated the sciatic nerve.It helps and works and I bet yur OB will suggest this as well.I had it so bad that my Dr okayed me to take Benadryl at nite to help me relax and sleep.You can also go to a massage therapist and do a prenatal massage.

Hi A.,
I just went through my files and found most women including pregnant women took more Calcium for their RLS. Did you know that calcium helps you sleep better when taken at night? The calcium I use is designed to be taken 1x in the morning and 1x in the evening. It's Isotonix which means it's a powder, which is mixed with water, then drink. Surprisingly it tastes great! There is a link b/w not having enough potassium and magnessium with RLS. I also agree with those that mentioned taking B vitamins which are also important...make sure you are taking the B vitamins together (B-1,2,3,6 and 12 together) also at least 800mcg of folate. The B vitamins I use are also Isotonix, there's no pill to swallow and the B's also taste great. I hope this helps, if you want any information on the Isotonix Calcium and B-complex I take, let me know and I can e-mail it to you.
Take care, V.

I am also pregnant, 4 1/2 months, and have developed RLS. I didn't have it with my first, so it was somewhat unexpected this time. And yes, it usually hits when I am getting tired or the other big time is if I have been sitting too long, especially in the car. Obviously there is no way to get around the car problem, except to stop and get out for a min. As for bedtime though, I just get up, walk into the kitchen and get a drink of water. Not always, but usually this works and I am able to lay back down. I can't speak for the Vitamin B recommendation, however, I have switched my prenatal vitamins and looking at the label my new vitamins contain 10mg (400% DV) of B6 and 20mcg (250% DV) of B12.
I have also tried massaging my legs when they start to twitch, it doesn't always help the RLS, but does help me relax.
Hope this helps!

Hi A.,
I too, have RLS...it's HORRIBLE! If you haven't experienced it you just can't know. I'm in my 3rd pregnancy and each time the RLS has started earlier and earlier. Unfortunately, you're in for a long haul because there is nothing that can be taken for it while you're pregnant. The only thing that works for me is to take 1 1/2 Tylenol PM to make sure I'm good and sleepy (this has been approved by my OB) and then take a HOT bath right before bed. And I mean as hot as you can stand it. This has also been approved by my OB - she thinks Mommy getting sleep is MUCH more important than worrying about raising your body temperature for 10 minutes. The hot water kind of numbs your legs enough to get them to settle down. There are nights though where I have had to take more than one bath because the first didn't work, or I didn't fall alseep after bath fast enough. I've been in there running a bath at 2:00 AM almost asleep on my feet because I know it's the only thing that will work. I really hope this works for you...good luck and hang in there!

I wish I had an answer! My teenage daughter has RLS and has since she was pretty young. It's so frustrating! It drives her crazy. I know there is medication available for it but being pregnant you may not be able to take it. Her solution is to kick and squirm in bed - I'm sure your husband would love that! Maybe your hubby could gently massage your legs as you drift off to sleep.

A.,

I have never had RLS, but I know it is very frustrating. The one thing I did when I was pregnant was to have pregnancy massages. They were wonderful. Just make the therapist aware that you are pregnant. It couldn't hurt, and if it doesn't help the RLS, maybe you can enjoy the relaxation time. Just a thought.

I have heard that caffeine makes RLS worse. So watch the caffeine.....good luck and congrats on the baby news!!

Vitamin B complex helps with this and should be safe enough for you being preggers.

Hi A., i developed this sensation with my 3rd pregnancy, never had it before and figured out a few things that helped. A little more physical exercise, like walking, helps the most and vitamins B and calcium with magnesium helps everything especially leg cramps. Also, since I'm a Pepsi fan I had to cut back a little on the caffiene and that helps somewhat also. Good luck to you, take care!
M. B.

I have not been officially diagnosed with RLS - however...I do have a lot of symptoms. Sometimes I will do some leg exercises...leg lifts and things to make my legs tired. It is a fine line...because if you get them too tired or sore...it might cause other discomfort...but just a nice fatigue will sometimes help you to get to sleep. I have been known to get up out of bed at midnight and do some exercises... Good luck

Not sure if this will help or not, but I sometimes have problems with leg cramps at night. What helps me with that is making sure I have enough potassium. If you eat a banana each day that might help. Good luck!

I had this condition during my second pregnancy. I know how uncomfortable it can be! The only remedy I used was mental imagery. I had read the book "Mind Over Labor" before my symptoms started and I used techniques from that book to help me. I would imagine my whole body was at rest and I would concentrate on actively relaxing every part of my body, one at a time. I know this doesn't sound like much of a remedy, but it really did help me. I almost always was able to fall asleep using this technique.

It may be that your ferritin levels are low (a type of iron in the body) which can result in RLS. You may want to have your iron and ferritin levels checked...the remedy is simply taking a dose of iron on a daily basis! This is VERY common in pregnancy as we all tend to get somewhat iron deficient in pregnancy. The important thing is to check Ferritin, not just iron. A ferritin level of less than 50 should be treated even though normal values are often reported as 10-120. ( I learned this after going to a sleep specialist group here in KC after my first pregnancy :) and let me tell you, I have been on iron since and it has made a WORLD of difference!)

I have had RLS from time to time, and I have found that in my case it can be caused by iron deficiency. Pull out your bottom eyelid, it should be red to pink, if it is pale or white, you should talk to your doctor about your iron levels. Hope this helps.

Also I would not reccomend just taking an iron supplement without knowing that is the problem, it can make you sick, and even be dangerous if you are getting too much. You could eat iron rich foods, like leafy green vegetables, more, but I wouln't take an iron supplement without consulting your doctor first.

Good Morning A., I am not preggers and its been 32 yrs since I have been ;) I also get restless legs. I usually get up and walk around the house for made 10-15 minutes, or sit in a chair and flex them. Usually (for me anyway) putting pressure on them helps, walking, standing, flexing.
I know how irritating it can become especially when your needing rest and just can't get there. You might also try a pillow under your knees.

I pray you will receive relief soon.
K.

Talk to your doctor about getting something to help you sleep. I took Ambien when I was pregnant and it is totally safe.

There are a couple things that I do that usually help. Soaking my legs in a nice hot bath for around 10 minutes usually helps quite a bit, sometimes I would have to do this in the middle of the night if nothing else worked. I also would stretch my legs out as far as possible for a minute or two, and that would usually make the sensations go away. Sometimes I would just have to walk around.

Well, I have not expierenced RLS but I did have trouble sleeping during my pregnancy. My OBGYN told me to take 2 Tylenol PM before bedtime. It helped me sleep and I started feeling much better. I also know that they make prescription meds for this condition but not sure if they are approved for use in pregnant women. Always check with your doc first but the Tylenol PM did help me alot. Just make sure it is
Tylenol PM and not Advil PM. Tylenol is ok for pregnant women and products like Advil and Motrin are not as far as I know. I hope you find some rest soon! E.

Hi A.! I can completely commiserate with you. I've had restless legs my whole life and it's always way worse during pregnancy. Eating leafy greens helps (more folic acid). Also, adding a calcium/magnesium liquid to your daily ritual (or right before bed) helps. I've never gotten mine to go completely away, but that's what I've found helps (and is safe during pregnancy). Also, avoiding sugar and caffiene in the last part of the day and really trying to limit it all the way around. Let me know if you get any wonderful tricks that remedy it altogether. I would love to have peaceful legs instead of restless legs!!!!
K.

p.s. I've read that sleep aids can actually make the symptoms worse and they have helped me temporarily, but then it was worse for awhile. I try to stay away from them because of that.

I really found that walking before bed helped me. I just tried to stay on my feet throughout the day and that really helped too.

I've not had RLS but I remembered hearing about this somewhere and found the following website. It sounds totally strange, but you can try putting a bar of soap under the fitted sheet on your bed where your legs are. I just thought you might like to try something non-medicinal - it might be worth a shot! Who knows?

http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/archives/herb_home_remedy_...

I'm not sure if RLS with pregnancy is different from regular RLS, but my husband has it real bad.
We have found getting up and walking help. Also keeping his legs warm. (We actually have an electric matress cover that gently warms the bed with the leg area being warmer than the upper area.) Get plenty of potassium and calcium in your diet. Sometimes an iron defficiency can make things worse, too.
He has learned to avoid caffiene, as well as anything with MSG in it. Also stress or being overly tired will make matters worse.
I have a friend who has it really bad, and she swears weather plays a part in hers, but I haven't seen that to be the case with my husband.
I'm sorry, there really isn't any cure. You just have to keep trying things until you find what works for you.
I certainly wish you well.

I can't say I relieved it completely but it was a little better when I didn't eat dairy. Make sure to take a calcium supplement though. Sorry to hear you're dealing with that. It was always my first sign of pregnancy, it's miserable.