Why restless legs are more common during pregnancy

Why restless legs are more common during pregnancy
  • Herzog Medical

Many pregnant women eventually experience restless legs. Especially in the evening or during sleep, an itchy, pulling, or restless feeling arises in the legs, making it difficult to sit still or fall asleep. This sensation is also popularly known as restless leg syndrome and can in principle affect anyone, at any age and in any stage of life, but during pregnancy, the symptoms noticeably increase in many women.

Many pregnant women notice that the symptoms decrease somewhat when circulation in the legs is actively supported, for example with Herzog compression stockings that provide light, graduated pressure on the calf and ankle during the day. This support does not replace medical advice and is not a treatment for the underlying cause, but it can contribute to a more pleasant, less heavy feeling in the legs during a long day of standing, sitting, or walking.

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What happens in your body during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, many changes occur in your body that affect blood flow in your legs. The hormone progesterone causes blood vessels and muscles to relax, which is necessary for the growth of the uterus, but it also makes it harder for blood to flow back to the heart. Additionally, the amount of blood in your body increases significantly, putting extra pressure on the vein walls in your legs. This combination of factors means that many women experience more discomfort from heavy, restless legs in the second and third trimesters, especially at the end of the day.

As pregnancy progresses, the growing uterus presses on the large veins in the pelvis that carry blood back from the legs. This pressure slows down blood flow and causes blood to accumulate in the lower legs, which can lead to a tingling or pulling sensation. This also explains why symptoms often worsen when sitting or standing for long periods, and why lying on your left side is often recommended, as it reduces pressure on the large vein. For more information on what exactly happens in your legs with these types of symptoms, you can consult the page on restless legs.

Restless legs during pregnancy are also often linked to an iron or folic acid deficiency, two substances that the body needs in extra large quantities during pregnancy. A magnesium deficiency is also frequently mentioned as a possible factor. It is therefore advisable to have your iron levels checked by a GP or midwife if you have persistent symptoms, so that any deficiency can be detected and addressed in time. Changing your diet or supplements yourself without consultation is not recommended during pregnancy.

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What factors make restless legs worse during pregnancy?

Restless legs are most noticeable in the evening and at night, and during pregnancy, this is no different. During the day, you are often moving, which makes it easier for blood to be pumped around, but as soon as you sit still or lie down, that pumping action of the muscles disappears. Heat also plays a role, as warm legs tend to feel restless sooner, which explains why many pregnant women experience more discomfort in the summer or under a warm blanket. Fatigue at the end of the day further intensifies this feeling, making it harder to fall asleep.

Those who perform sedentary work for a large part of the day or have to stand for long periods often notice that the symptoms increase as the pregnancyprogresses. This is due to the combination of extra body weight, a changed center of gravity, and less active blood circulation in a fixed position. For those who sit or stand in the same place for long periods daily, it can be worthwhile to move regularly and read the page on sedentary work and compression stockingsfor practical tips. Also during travel, for example, a long car ride or flight, symptoms often increase for the same reason.

Restless legs sometimes occur together with other vascular complaints that are more common during pregnancy, such as varicose veins or swollen ankles. This is because the same underlying mechanisms, slower blood drainage and extra pressure on the vein walls, can also cause or worsen these complaints. If in doubt or if you experience symptoms such as a painful, warm, or swollen leg, it is important to always have this assessed by your GP or midwife, as in rare cases this may indicate thrombosis. More information about the difference between these complaints can be found on the pages about varicose veinsand thrombosis.

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What can you do yourself to combat restless legs?

Exercise remains one of the most frequently mentioned ways to relieve restless legs during pregnancy. A short walk before bedtime, light calf stretches, or simply walking around when the sensation occurs can help to stimulate blood circulation. Many women experience a reduction in symptoms as soon as their muscles become active again because the calf muscle then acts as a kind of pump that returns blood to the heart. This effect is temporary but can provide relief when needed.

In addition to exercise, it helps to elevate your legs occasionally, especially at the end of the day, so that blood drainage is supported by gravity instead of working against it. Drinking enough water and a cool environment before sleeping are also often mentioned as practical measures. Many women also find that Herzog's compression technology, developed from over twenty years of experience in medical compression, provides support during the day for a heavy or restless feeling in the legs. The graduated pressure ensures a controlled build-up from bottom to top, which can support blood flow.

If restless legs persist or become more severe despite these adjustments, it is advisable to discuss this with your GP or midwife, especially if sleep is systematically disturbed. Herzog's medical compression stockings are used not only by athletes but also by healthcare professionals and people who stand or sit a lot for their work, precisely because the pressure is precisely built up from ankle to calf. More explanation about how this build-up works exactly and why it differs from a regular stocking can be found on the page about the effect of compression.

Frequently asked questions

Are restless legs during pregnancy dangerous?

Restless legs themselves are usually harmless and are related to the changes in your circulation during pregnancy. If you experience additional symptoms such as a painful, warm, or swollen leg, it is important to have this assessed by your GP or midwife, as in rare cases it can indicate something else. Therefore, always consult a healthcare professional if in doubt.

When do restless legs disappear after pregnancy?

For many women, the symptoms decrease as the body gradually recovers after childbirth and circulation returns to its old rhythm. How quickly this happens varies per person and depends, among other things, on any deficiencies such as iron. If the symptoms persist for a longer period, discuss this with your GP.

Do compression stockings help with restless legs during pregnancy?

Many women find that light, gradual pressure on the legs contributes to a less heavy and restless feeling, especially during a long day of standing or sitting. Compression stockings do not treat the underlying cause but can support blood circulation. If symptoms persist or worsen, it remains important to consult your GP or midwife.

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