Cramps - shake a Leg

For some women it is not cramp, but a more persistent problem which affects them. Late in pregnancy it’s not uncommon to develop a strange jittery or crawling sensation in your legs, rather like having an electric current running through them.

This is known as Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS).

RLS occurs mostly in the early evening and can make relaxation and even sleep difficult, since it produces an irresistible urge to move around. The condition is not dangerous, however, and usually disappears after birth.

According to the latest data, restless legs are much more common than previously thought. Some researchers estimate that as many as 1 in 10 of us may suffer in varying degrees from this condition. You don’t have to be pregnant to have RLS, but pregnancy does seem to bring it on or aggravate an existing condition.

Conventional drugs used to treat restless legs are similar to those given to patients with Parkinson’s disease, and are not appropriate for the transient RLS that often occurs in pregnancy. It’s worth considering some of the safer alternatives.

There are several contributory factors to this condition.

• RLS may run in families
• Low blood sugar is a common cause (RLS is common in diabetics and those suffering from hypoglycaemia)
• Too much caffeine
• Over indulgence in alcohol.