Insomnia or ineffective sleep can certainly be frustrating and stressful. And we know that stress has documented negative effects on pregnancy. That's why it's important to be aware of conditions like Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), which can impact your sleep quality and potentially lead to insomnia. 

Researchers in Switzerland recently conducted a study, published in the journal Neurology, to explore how widespread RLS is during pregnancy and its effects. The study followed 501 women throughout their pregnancy and into the postpartum period. Out of these women, 58 (or 12%) were diagnosed with RLS. Interestingly, about 40% of the women diagnosed with RLS had a family history of the condition. More than half of the women first noticed symptoms before the 20th week of pregnancy. To assess the severity of their symptoms, the researchers used the IRLSS (International Restless Legs Syndrome Scale) and the PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire). This detailed approach helped them gather precise data on how RLS affects sleep quality. Here's an encouraging finding: by eight weeks postpartum, scores for IRLSS and PLM (Periodic Limb Movements) had dropped by at least 50%. This suggests that while RLS may be a significant issue during pregnancy, it tends to improve after childbirth. 

So what does this mean for you? Understanding whether you have a family history of RLS can be an important step. While factors like estrogen and anemia didn’t seem to play a significant role in this study, family history did. Knowing this can help you take proactive steps to manage your condition, such as discussing symptoms with your healthcare provider early on and considering suitable interventions. 

Remember, armed with this knowledge, you're in a strong position to take action and improve your sleep quality, which will ultimately benefit both you and your baby. 

Source: 

Hübner A, Krafft A, Gadient S, Werth E, Zimmermann R, Bassetti CL. Characteristics and determinants of restless legs syndrome in pregnancy: A prospective study. Neurology. 2013 Feb 6.