Twitching when falling asleep during pregnancy
Pregnancy has an influence on the most diverse processes and metabolic procedures in the body. Twitching, which occurs intensified or even exclusively during pregnancy, is relatively common. In addition to the twitching that can occur in many people during the phase of falling asleep and which is considered harmless, pregnant women also have twitches that can be explained by a certain clinical picture.
Thus, many pregnant women complain about complaints that occur in the context of the so-called “restless-leg syndrome”. In addition to aching and tingling legs and arms, there may also be unpleasant twitches during the attempt to fall asleep. It is assumed that certain brain areas of the affected women are erroneously active and therefore the twitching and other symptoms occur. Iron deficiency as well as a genetic component may also be the trigger of the symptoms. Not infrequently, the twitching disappears again after pregnancy.
Twitching when babies fall asleep
The nervous system of babies is not yet fully developed after birth and goes through major changes, especially in the first months. In addition, there is a multitude of impressions during the waking phases, which are processed during sleep. Twitching, which occurs during sleep or when babies fall asleep, is relatively frequent.
Nevertheless, twitching is a great worry for the parents of the child. In addition to the twitching, which probably has a similar origin as in adults, a so-called newborn reflex is also responsible. This is called the Moro reflex.
It is a reflex that is vital for the survival of infants and is responsible, among other things, for the beginning of lung breathing after birth. When suddenly falling or even while sleeping, babies suddenly stretch their hands and arms into the air. They also spread their fingers and open their mouth.
More rarely, twitching is an expression of the presence of the so-called West syndrome. This is a form of epilepsy that occurs in babies. A doctor can use diagnostic methods to determine whether the twitching is harmless or the effect of the epilepsy.
