Understanding Pregnancy Sleep Problems

Restless Leg Syndrome

A little-known sleep disturbance called Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) often begins or worsens during pregnancy. In fact, according to the NSF, up to 15 percent of pregnant women develop RLS during the third trimester.

But what is RLS and why is it a problem? In RLS, you experience crawling or moving feelings in your foot, calf, or upper leg that can momentarily disrupt sleep. If you move your legs, the symptoms are momentarily eased. But as soon as your leg is still, the annoying sensations return. It may sound trivial, but if you experience this repeatedly over the course of a whole night, you probably won't get much sleep.

People who are not pregnant also experience this syndrome, and there are medications to treat it. Unfortunately, these medications aren't safe to use during pregnancy. Luckily, the symptoms of pregnancy-onset RLS usually diminish or vanish after pregnancy. If you're being plagued by these symptoms, see your doctor for advice. Also try to take frequent naps to make sure you're getting the rest you need.