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Original poster

restless legs in pregnancy - advice please!

11 replies

carrieon · 16/04/2008 19:46

Hi there, I'm 16 weeks pregnant and have been getting restless legs for the last few weeks. It only bothers me when I'm trying to get to sleep and the urge to move (and kick dh) is overwhelming! I read that it could be iron deficiency but my diet wasn't making enough difference, so I started taking spatone in orange juice, but one of those things has given me splitting headaches so I've stopped it. I've since read that RLS could be a calcium or a potassium deficiency.
Does anyone actually know, and has anyone successfully treated, or at least alleviated the symptoms? I never got it at all last pregnancy but I was only 8m between pregnancies, so I guess I could still be deficient in a few things (mostly brain cells).
Thank you oh wise ones!

OP posts:
Tinker · 16/04/2008 19:49

Tonic water is supposed to help. I also used to put very cold water on my legs just before bedtime (just under teh shower) This stimulated teh blood flow which seemed to work.

cosieblanki · 16/04/2008 20:07

I don;t really have any answers but just wanted to sympathise.

I had really severely restless legs during my pregnancy too. If I recall it started off at about 3 months and carried on til I gave birth. The good news was it disappeared almost as soon as Ds popped out!

I read quite a bit about the condition as no-one seemd to know much about it, my DP even accused me (in a jokey way) of doing it on purpose! he couldn't believe how bad it was, it would make me really really fed up.

I think there are various theories like the potassium/calcium deficiency, I also read stuff suggesting it was something to do with a reduction incirculation etc.

have you spoken to your GP? maybe they could screen you for the obvious deficiencies. I know there are a few drugs which have ben tried but don't know if they would be safe in preganancy.

Good luck!

Original poster
carrieon · 16/04/2008 20:12

Thank you! Would midwife or GP be better?
I'm prepared to try pretty much any remedy within reason!

OP posts:
HLL · 16/04/2008 21:37

hi, I suffered from this each time I was pregnant - drove me nuts. I did find that a glass of tonic water helped as did eating a few more bananas. The thing that really got it sorted though was some lavender gel that we got from Boots - part of their natural/aromatherapy range or something like that - comes in a metallic look tube. Wonderful stuff, rubbed it all over legs before going to bed and 9 times out of 10, I got to sleep before the twitching began. I think there is one of those generic pregnancy warnings on the outside of the tube but I checked it out and was told that it was fine. The other thing that also helped - and this does sound pretty odd is that I would spend a bit of time lying back on my bed with my legs up against the wall. Midwife said it helps some people...seemed to make a difference so maybe give it a try. Hope you manage to get some respite! And yes, mine went the day I gave birth.

3andnomore · 16/04/2008 21:40

Oh, no help, but I had that for some time in each pg and it is so weird and unpleasant....hope you find somehting that works for you....fwiw, I only ever had it for some weeks, rather than month....

Psychomum5 · 16/04/2008 21:40

I suffer from restless legs all the time, and cramp, and so far found no cure!

DH now has bald legs from where I rub his legs in my sleep!

no iea on advice, but believe me when I extend my sympathy....tis a horrid horrid feeling having twitching legs that feel like insects are crawling up n down them all the time!

rosealbie · 17/04/2008 10:24

I also suffered from this and found that tonic water helped as it contains quinine.

DettaJnr · 17/04/2008 11:11

I had this in pregnancy and found that sleep was really the only thing that helped me. I still get it now if I am tired. I thought it was a deficiency in magnesium, but don't quote me on that one!!! Incidentally I was told not to use lavender in pregnancy.

Original poster
carrieon · 17/04/2008 18:48

Thank you everyone, will dispatch dh to the tonic water shop! I'm guessing I'm not allowed to add gin though
And if anyone comes on here with more tips/ideas/advice then its all welcome. I'll look into the lavender stuff, I've heard very conflicting advice on it in the past - that its a relaxant so could relax your uterus and cause mc, but that its also good for you, so who knows?!
And as for lying down with my legs up against the wall, i'm a pro at that from ttc!!! A million thank yous!

OP posts:
bearmama · 17/04/2008 19:05

I found that walking barefoot on a cold floor helped if I had to get up in the night. No idea why tho!

poodlepusher · 17/04/2008 19:38

eat bananas- both potassium and magnesium
will definitely help.

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