Feeling all a-tingle these days? Chances are, it isn't excitement about the baby — it's pregnancy carpal tunnel syndrome, which some studies have shown may affect between a third and two-thirds of moms-to-be.
Pregnant moms, especially those who work at computers, may begin to notice an uncomfortable tingling, pain, burning and numbness in the wrists, hands and fingers.
Though it's usually associated with work that requires repetitive motion such as typing or sewing, carpal tunnel strikes pregnant women for a different reason — though repetitive motion can definitely contribute to the problem.
How early can you get carpal tunnel during pregnancy?
Most pregnant women who experience carpal tunnel syndrome feel the pain and numbness in the last trimester of pregnancy, although symptoms can crop up as early as the first trimester.
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy?
The carpal tunnel houses nerves and ligaments in your wrist. This includes the median nerve, which runs between the palm of your hand and your forearm and creates sensations in all of your fingers except your pinky.
Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve gets compressed near your wrist. The compression can be linked to any number of factors, including trauma or injury to the wrist or repetitive motions.
There are several causes for carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy, including:
- Pregnancy swelling puts pressure on the median nerve in the wrists and causes the same aching and tingling symptoms most often associated with ergonomic strain and repetitive motion.
- You may be moving a lot less, which means circulation to your hands and other extremities is sluggish.
- Doing repetitive motions that involve your hands and wrists — like if you work at a desk job — may make you more likely to experience this pregnancy symptom.
Typically, carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms are more acute at night. That's because the fluids that accumulate in the lower part of your body during the day are redistributed to your extremities when you lie down, putting more pressure on your nerves and ligaments.
More About Pregnancy Aches and Pains
If you've been working at a computer all day long, it could make the tingly numbness more pronounced when the sun goes down.
Is numbness in the hands a sign of preeclampsia?
One common sign of preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication linked to high blood pressure, is sudden severe swelling of the hands. Since carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by swelling in the wrists, it’s possible that preeclampsia swelling could cause tingling or numbness in your hands.
Keep an eye out for other symptoms of preeclampsia, which include swelling in the face, severe headaches that don’t get better when you take a pain reliever, vision changes (blurred or double vision), sudden excessive weight gain that’s not related to a change in your diet, and scant or dark urine.
If you’re experiencing any symptoms that are unusual or worrisome, never hesitate to contact your doctor.
What helps carpal tunnel during pregnancy?
The more you can do now to mitigate the effects of carpal tunnel syndrome, the more likely you will feel symptom-free after delivery. Here are some remedies:
- Try a wrist brace. If your carpal tunnel is causing you a lot of pain, ask your practitioner to recommend a wrist brace (you may be able to find one at your local pharmacy). Then make sure you wear it all day and at night. One study found that 80 percent of pregnant women with carpal tunnel syndrome found relief by using one.
- Stretch. If you work at a computer or do any other activity that requires repetitive motions, like playing the piano or filing, take frequent hand-stretching breaks to relieve pain and tingling.
- Get into position. If you spend a lot of time at a computer typing, type gently and make sure your wrists are straight and your elbows are higher than your hands. You may also want to look into buying an ergonomic keyboard designed to protect your hands and fingers.
- Sleep freely. Don’t constrict your limbs at night. Try not to sleep on your hands, and use a pillow to prop up your arms at night.
- Get the blood flowing. Shake your hands and wrists out frequently. At night, hang your hand over the side of the bed and shake it.
- Limit salt. Reducing your sodium and salt intake can decrease swelling and water retention, both of which exacerbate carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Try alternative therapies. Acupuncture might help relieve hand pain. Ask your practitioner for a recommendation.
- Ask about medication. Ask your doctor whether the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications or steroids typically prescribed for carpal tunnel are safe to take during pregnancy.
Can I prevent carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy?
Nearly all women experience swelling that may cause carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms in the last trimester of pregnancy. It’s unfortunately one of those symptoms you can’t do much about, so try to soldier on through until delivery!
There are steps you can take if you’re worried about the risk of getting carpal tunnel syndrome while you're pregnant. Try to minimize time spent doing intensive manual tasks such as typing, sewing or knitting, and take breaks to move around and stretch. No Facebooking or Instagramming for hours on end, either!
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