Restless Legs Syndrome at 29 Weeks Pregnant
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) — an uncomfortable urge to move the legs, usually worse at night and in the evening — affects up to 26% of pregnant women, making it a common cause of sleep disruption.
👶 What's Happening at Week 29
Your baby is now the size of a butternut squash.
- Muscles and lungs continue maturing.
- The fetus is very active — you'll feel strong kicks and rolls.
- Fat continues to accumulate, making skin less wrinkled.
🔬 Why You're Experiencing Restless Legs Syndrome at Week 29
- Iron and folate deficiency — the most important contributors in pregnancy
- Dopamine pathway disruption by pregnancy hormones
- Genetic predisposition
- Third-trimester hormonal changes
- Spinal and pelvic changes compressing nerves
💊 Relief Tips for Week 29
📋 Other Week 29 Symptoms
⚠️ Call Your Doctor If…
- RLS symptoms are severely disrupting your sleep every night
- You suspect iron deficiency — ask for a ferritin level test
- Your symptoms continue or worsen significantly postpartum
- You also have periodic limb movements during sleep (involuntary leg jerks)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does restless legs feel like during pregnancy?
It is typically described as a crawling, creeping, tingling, or itching sensation deep in the legs that creates an irresistible urge to move. It is relieved temporarily by moving.
When does RLS start in pregnancy?
It most commonly starts or worsens in the second and third trimesters, peaking around weeks 30–38.
Is pregnancy RLS caused by iron deficiency?
Iron deficiency is the most common and treatable cause. Getting a ferritin blood test and treating low iron has the best evidence for improving RLS in pregnancy.
Will RLS go away after I give birth?
In most cases, pregnancy-related RLS resolves within weeks to a few months after delivery. In some women it persists, especially if the underlying iron deficiency is not treated.