Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it also comes with physical changes that can make restful sleep harder to achieve.
Up to 30% of pregnant women experience restless legs syndrome (RLS), a sleep disorder that causes an overwhelming urge to move the legs, often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations such as itching, burning, crawling, or pulling. Symptoms are often worse at night when you’re trying to relax or fall asleep.
While pregnancy-induced RLS usually resolves after delivery, it can affect your sleep, energy levels, and overall well-being. But you don’t have to suffer through your symptoms. You can get relief from your RLS and get the sleep you need before the baby comes.
Dr. Nehal Mehta and Dr. Prashant Patel, sleep medicine specialists at Respacare in Bridgewater, New Jersey, share what you should know about pregnancy-related RLS and how to find relief safely.
RLS, also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurological disorder that causes an irresistible urge to move your legs during periods of rest or inactivity. Moving your legs temporarily relieves the discomfort, but the sensations often return once you stop.
Common symptoms include:
Because symptoms are typically worse at night, many people with RLS have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep. During pregnancy, when fatigue is already common, disrupted sleep can make daytime exhaustion even more challenging.
RLS is common during pregnancy, especially during the second and third trimesters, but the exact cause isn’t fully understood. Researchers believe several factors contribute, including hormonal changes, nutrient deficiencies, genetics, or a combination of these.
Possible contributors include:
Rising estrogen levels during pregnancy may affect dopamine, a brain chemical that helps regulate muscle movement.
Pregnancy increases iron needs, and iron deficiency is common. Low iron stores may increase nerve sensitivity and contribute to RLS symptoms.
Low levels of folate, vitamin D, magnesium, or zinc may also play a role in some cases. The link isn’t clear, but deficiencies in these nutrients are associated with higher rates of pregnancy-induced RLS.
Because many of the medications used to treat RLS haven’t been adequately studied during pregnancy, treatment typically focuses on lifestyle changes and addressing nutritional deficiencies.
Simple strategies that may help include:
It’s also important to take your prenatal vitamins and any other supplements as recommended by your OB/GYN. If testing shows that you’re low in iron or another nutrient, correcting the deficiency may help your symptoms.
Some women may also find relief through prenatal yoga, gentle massage, or relaxation techniques before bed.
If lifestyle changes aren’t providing enough relief, or your symptoms are severely disrupting your sleep, it’s time to speak with your doctor.
Your doctor may recommend blood work to check your iron levels and other deficiencies. They may also recommend a sleep evaluation to rule out other sleep disorders.
In severe cases, medication is considered, but only after carefully weighing the risks and benefits during pregnancy. If medication is necessary, your doctor prescribes the effective lowest dose for the shortest period of time.
Pregnancy-induced restless legs syndrome is frustrating, but you don’t have to live with the discomfort. Healthy sleep habits, regular movement, and addressing nutritional deficiencies can help you get relief while keeping you and your baby safe.
If pregnancy-induced RLS interferes with your sleep or quality of life, we can help find the cause and recommend safe treatment options. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
