A study published in the Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health noted that as many as 26 percent of pregnant women suffer from restless leg syndrome during their pregnancy. If not pregnant, a doctor would recommend you take a mild sleeping pill to help relax you. But when pregnant, your best bet is to use natural remedies so that you don't introduce drugs into your system that could affect your baby. You can find relief using cures that you most likely already have at your house.
Iron Supplements
Georgianna Bell, executive director of the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, believes that there is a connection between the amount of iron in the blood and brain and the occurrence of restless leg syndrome. It is suggested that by taking an iron supplement daily, many of the restless leg syndrome symptoms will simply disappear.
Limit Caffeine
Dr. Philip Becker, medical director of the Sleep Medicine Institute at the Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, recommends that a pregnant woman suffering from restless leg syndrome symptoms should try limiting her intake of caffeine, especially close to the night hours. Caffeine makes it hard for your body to relax as it is a stimulant, which may make your symptoms even worse.
Water Therapy
Dr. Becker also recommends using water to help relax the muscles in your legs and prepare you for sleeping. Take a hot shower and point the nozzle at your legs, calves or wherever your restless leg syndrome is the most prevalent. Taking a warm bath is also beneficial, especially if you have jets that can massage and relax the legs as you bathe. Switching water temperatures can also be helpful.
Nightly Stretching and Movement
Before bed, giving into your restless leg syndrome symptoms may make them more manageable as you try to relax and sleep. Take a few minutes before you retire to stretch the muscles in your legs thoroughly. Then jog or run on the spot, skip around the room, and move your legs as much as possible. Stretch once more to calm the legs, and then head to bed. The trick is to move your restless legs as much as possible so that you can rest.
Distraction
Dr. Becker doesn't discount the cure for restless legs that may seem the most simple: distraction. Doing something with your hands or mind until you are so tired you have to sleep is an effective way to cure your restless legs. RLS is made exponentially worse when you can't stop thinking about it. Knitting, playing a video game, reading or watching an intense movie are all drug-free ways to stop your restless leg syndrome.
