Insomnia and restless legs at 12 weeks

[Azurri]

I’m 45 and pregnant with a total surprise miracle. We did years of failed ivf and had a miscarriage 5 years ago, so gave up on kids.

I was sleeping and coping great, but from 8 weeks have not been able to sleep longer than 2 hours. Last night I didn’t sleep all night - I get involuntary leg movements and it’s exhausting. I feel at my wits end and worried about affecting baby.

Any advice on what I can do. ? I assume it’s anxiety related? Did anyone else experience this? Many thanks!

I had a bath pretty much every day of my pregnancy because of restless legs. The hot water soothed it enough for me to be able to get to sleep. A hot water bottle or similar might work too?

Congratulations on your pregnancy 🥰

Thank you! I keep reading you can’t have baths pregnant. Did you keep the bath to a specific temperature or keep to 10 mins. Feels like so much you can do pregnant!

I get restless legs too, I bought a neom cream with magenesium in, no idea if it’s that but it does seem to have helped! I was also anxious about baths, I just made sure they weren’t hot and I’d dip my elbow in before I got in to double check it didn’t feel too warm xx

First of all, huge congratulations! Secondly, restless legs drove me insane in both of my pregnancies. Really, really bad. It settled down again once I'd given birth and it certainly doesn't harm the baby!

God sorry, that was a rubbish post when you were asking for advice. Basically, nothing I did helped it but I just wanted to reassure you that it wouldn't hurt the baby.

Ask for your iron levels to be checked. Restless legs are a symptom of anaemia.

I'm exactly the same, between restless legs, needing a wee and randomly waking up in the night I'm exhausted

Magnesium spray helps -can get from Amazon

Hot baths too- I think they recommend having it too hot in case you faint more than anything

Keep your legs elevated with a pillow

Massage your legs too each night

Doesn't get rid but makes it easier to get some sleep

as pp says get your iron levels checked. I had restless legs and was breathless going upstairs at home. my levels were really low and very almost needed an IV iron infusion although liquid iron supplement got mine up to just above the minimum recommended level.

Thank you. Having spoken to the doctor it sounds more like anxiety I have than restless legs. It’s more the sleep deprivation that’s worrying me! Sorry to hear you had that all the time - what a nightmare. Pregnancy isn’t easy on a woman is it!

I had blood tests with the midwife - not sure if they specifically check iron though. Thank you.

How far along are you in the pregnancy? Sorry to hear you are struggling too. I have magnesium spray and will try your suggestions. Thank you.