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. Show
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:
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. Continue Reading Below More About Pregnancy Aches and PainsIf 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:
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! Does pregnancy carpal tunnel go away?Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome typically disappear after delivery as pregnancy swelling diminishes, though it can take up to six weeks postpartum for things to return to normal. Check in with your doctor, though, if it lingers well after that. From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy. Was this article helpful? Does carpal tunnel during pregnancy go away?Carpal tunnel syndrome tends to ease, and often disappears, after birth. If you still have pain after your baby is born, you may need to change the way you use your wrist.
When should I worry about carpal tunnel in pregnancy?In the early stages of CTS you may notice these symptoms more often in the evening after using your hands all day. While carpal tunnel syndrome can occur anytime throughout pregnancy, many pregnant people notice peak symptoms during the third trimester when swelling is at an all-time high.
What makes carpal tunnel worse in pregnancy?During pregnancy, your blood volume doubles. That extra fluid increases pressure and swelling in the blood vessels throughout your body. In tight spaces such as the carpal tunnel area of the wrist – through which nine tendons and one nerve pass – the swelling can compress the median nerve, which runs to the hand.
How do I get instant relief from carpal tunnel?8 Ways to Get Carpel Tunnel Relief. Wear a splint. A splint can hold your wrist in a way that relieves pressure on the median nerve. ... . Add warmth. ... . Ice it. ... . Give your wrists a workout. ... . Raise the wrist. ... . Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can provide short-term relief from CTS.. Steroid injections. ... . Consider surgery.. |