Pregnancy and restless legs: what to know

Restless legs feels like crawling, pulling, tingling, aching, or inner agitation in the legs. Symptoms usually appear during sitting or lying down, improve temporarily when you move, and may be worse in the evening. Poor sleep can then add to daytime tiredness.

Pregnancy can bring on or intensify this pattern. Low iron stores are one possible contributor, while kidney problems, nerve problems, and some medicines may also matter. The symptom pattern does not by itself establish a diagnosis of [Restless Legs Syndrome](/conditions/restless-legs-syndrome/).

Keep a regular sleep routine, use gentle stretching or massage, and try warmth or coolness on the legs to see what feels better. Light daytime activity may help, while vigorous exercise close to bedtime can aggravate symptoms for some people.

Tell your maternity clinician how often symptoms interrupt sleep. They may review your diet, medicines, and iron results. Take [Iron Supplementation](/treatments/medical-management/iron-supplementation/) only when advised, because the dose and need depend on your assessment.

Arrange a prompt review if symptoms are new, severe, worsening, or stopping you from sleeping. Seek urgent care for one-sided leg swelling, warmth, redness, marked pain, chest pain, or sudden breathlessness, since those features are different from typical restless-leg sensations.

Ask whether iron studies or a blood count are appropriate, which non-medicine measures are safe, and whether any current medicine could worsen symptoms. Mention numbness, weakness, balance problems, or a history of [Peripheral Neuropathy](/conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/).