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Whether you are pregnant or a new mum, both, the physiological changes of pregnancy and the demands associated with caring for a baby may result in hand or wrist pain. This can often be debilitating and severely compromise your ability to perform the simplest of tasks. As a Women’s Health Physiotherapist, I commonly see women pre and postnatal, suffering from the following:
Let’s elaborate on these… WHAT IS CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME IN PREGNANCY?Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome commonly occur in the palm, thumb, index and middle fingers. Sometimes this may extend to the ring finger but seldom to the pinky. It can occur in one or both hands. Pregnancy can affect every part of your body, including your hands. If yours are numb, tingling or sore, give them a little TLC to make sure carpal tunnel syndrome doesn’t slow you down. Back to Top In This Article
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:
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 PainsPelvic Pain During Pregnancy Back Pain During Pregnancy Abdominal Cramps and Pain During Pregnancy: Normal or Something More? Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy Back Pain During Pregnancy Abdominal Cramps and Pain During Pregnancy: Normal or Something More? 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:
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. How can I sleep with carpal tunnel while pregnant?Minimise sleeping on the affected side (if your symptoms are only in one hand) and raise the arm on a pillow if possible. Keep your wrist from bending or 'flopping' forward when doing everyday tasks. Wearing a wrist splint can help with this.
What makes carpal tunnel worse in pregnancy?When you are pregnant, your hormones cause fluid to build up in your body, which can cause swelling. This can lead to swelling within the carpal tunnel. The condition is more common in the third trimester, but it can also happen in the first and second trimesters or after you give birth.
Does carpal tunnel during pregnancy go away?Topic Overview. Tingling, numbness, and pain in the hands are common during pregnancy, especially in the last trimester. These problems are usually caused by carpal tunnel syndrome, and they usually go away after pregnancy.
What is the fastest way to get rid of carpal tunnel?Here are nine home remedies for carpal tunnel relief:. Take breaks from repetitive tasks. ... . Wear splints on your wrists. ... . Lighten up. ... . Mind your flexion. ... . Stay warm. ... . Stretch it out. ... . Elevate your hands and wrists whenever possible. ... . Try over-the-counter (OTC) medications.. |