Pregnancy can subject women to a variety of aches, pains and general discomforts. In some cases, restless legs syndrome (RLS), a neurological condition that causes unpleasant sensations in the legs when a person is at rest, afflicts women during pregnancy. Pregnant women can find some relief from RLS through a number of self-care measures, and it should also be somewhat comforting to know that RLS symptoms usually resolve after pregnancy.
Symptoms
RLS symptoms generally present themselves as an uncomfortable, sometimes painful feeling in the legs when a person is sitting or lying down. People with RLS feel powerful urges to move their legs while at rest to relieve their symptoms, sensations that have been described as tingling, tense, itchy, aching, pulling, cramping, burning and gnawing, among others. Symptoms can grow or diminish in severity and can even disappear for a while. Because symptoms are more bothersome during the night, RLS can cause sleep disruptions, leading to daytime drowsiness.
Profile of RLS in Pregnancy
RLS affects about one-quarter of pregnant women. Women who have previously experienced RLS may find their symptoms exacerbated during pregnancy. Other women may be affected by RLS for the first time during their pregnancy, with the most noticeable symptoms during the third trimester. Typically, however, the end of the pregnancy also brings an end to RLS symptoms, usually within a month after delivery.
Diagnosis
Since leg cramps are a common symptom of pregnancy, it can be difficult to distinguish this symptom from those of RLS. However, leg cramps bring on extended and painful muscle contractions and hardness, while RLS does not. Clinicians should confirm the following four criteria in a patient to conclude a diagnosis of RLS: an uncontrollable urge to move one's legs, usually complemented by unpleasant sensations and discomfort in the legs; intensified unpleasant sensations or an impulse to move the legs when resting or inactive; temporary relief of symptoms from activity, such as walking or stretching; and the symptoms or the compulsion to move the legs becoming worse in the evening or night, or occurring only during these times.
Causes of RLS in Pregnancy
While more research is needed to identify many of the potential factors behind the increased risk of RLS in pregnant women, some possible reasons include sleep deprivation, hormonal changes, low mineral or vitamin levels and changes in the pregnant body brought about by varicose veins and nerve compression.
Treatment
As of 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any medications for treating RLS in pregnancy, and the drugs that have been successful in treating RLS generally have not been well studied for use in pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins, which are generally recommended during pregnancy, may help alleviate RLS symptoms, particularly in women who have low levels of iron or folate. Pregnant women with RLS can also benefit from getting plenty of sleep, which they can promote by cutting out caffeine and getting regular exercise. Since RLS symptoms usually diminish during the day, napping then may help offset fatigue brought on from nights of disrupted sleep.
