Restless Legs... Help!!!

[Thevirginmummy1]

Has anyone got any tips for relieving restless legs? I get them occasionally when not pregnant but now at 31 wks it's every night. It's keeping me awake and driving me crazy!

I sympathise! I'm the same - have had them occasionally when not pregnant, but so much worse now (and in last pregnancy too). I've read on here that tonic water can help but not tried it yet. Hopefully someone will be along to confirm that!

Good luck!

Drinking it or bathing in it?! Actually that does ring a bell, like you say hopefully someone will be able to confirm or deny. Thank you!

Ha ha! Drinking I guess, but sadly without the gin

I'm the same. How are your iron levels? Mine were v low last pregnancy and the restless legs improved after I started taking iron supplements. It's started up again now but I haven't yet started taking supplements. I've tried tonic water, bananas and milk, none of which have any noticeable effect. One thing that I do find makes a difference is (TMI sorry) that often my legs are worse when I'm constipated

I really sympathise anyway!

My iron levels are actually heading towards being low (found out at the midwife today) so am trying to boost them. Levels were fine in last pregnancy though and still had the same issues. Must admit I'm trying to avoid iron supplements as the ones I had after my c-section made me constipated (again TMI!). Plus from what you say that would lead to a vicious circle...

I've had compression socks on all evening and my legs feel a bit better now I've taken them off for bed. I also found a thread on an NHS page where someone said they do stretches by standing on tiptoes then back to flat about fifteen times before bed and it seems to work for them and a couple of other people. Have done a few and all seems a bit better so will try a few more just before I'm ready to sleep. Great, something else to add to my bedtime routine!

Tonic water works for me! I hate the stuff but bought it with lime in it and drink gallons of it!

Still haven't tried the tonic water (keep forgetting to buy any) but have found that the stretches onto my toes before bed has helped massively.

I have this terribly. I find doing lots of hamstring stretches, using peppermint gel leg cream and sleeping w pillow supporting upper leg helps but it drives me mad!!

I had this and found vigorous massaging with some exfoliating gloves gave some relief, and lots of stretches.

You'll be pleased to know it disappears once you give birth!

The tonic water really does work, I think you need to drink more than 100mls for it to be effective.

Do you know I've been shopping twice in two days intending to pick up some tonic water and have forgotten both times.... Time to start a new thread about cures for baby brain I think. I would say make lists but I had one with me and not only had the tonic water not made it onto the list but I also forgot stuff that had!

I found cooling foot and leg gel/spray that you can get from boots worked well...

I feel for you, I had it from about that point, and it drove me crazy on and off.

Body shop leg gel and watch your salt intake

Fold an old pillow in half and prop your feet up with it (in bed). Worked a treat for me!

Am on the tonic water. I hope it works cos it tastes disgusting!