8 Months Pregnant and Hands Are Hurting Really Bad like I Have Arthritis

Hi T. -

The same thing happened to me with my second pregnancy. My hands would tingle so bad, I couldn't sleep at night. I got a carpal tunnel brace from Walgreen (I think it was abt $20) and it really helped. It was hard to get used to sleeping in it, but it worked! I got the lace up kind....good luck and it does eventually go away after you deliver!

I had this as well-pregnancy induced carpal tunnel as my dr called it. I wore a wrist brace from cvs all day and especially at night. It you can prop it when you sleep - like putting it up on a pillowthat helped me a lot. Also having my husband massage my arm from elbow to fingers helped with circulation. It was better about a month after I gave birth. Avoiding salt and salty foods also helps with the swelling.

T. -

Don't feel bad, I'm 38wks preg with #2 and I'm going through it too. My OB says it's pregnancy-induced Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, thanks to the retention of fluid during pregnancy. The only thing I've found that helps me is to find positions that help alleviate the pain when I'm laying down, like on my back with my arms at my sides. It also feels better after a shower. I've started washing my hands in cold water too, that helps a bit. I didn't have much luck with the splints, I can't stand them. I've had it for a little over a month and I've just gotten used to not being able to use my hands like normal - I find ways to work around the swelling/tingling/pain. I can't wait to deliver this baby so I can feel normal (hopefully) again! Short term discomfort for long term reward! :)

T.,

I went through that when I was pregnant with my daughter, and it was so painful! I cried when I got ready for work in the morning because both of my hands hurt so bad and it would be excruciating having to use my hands for the most routine things: washing my hair, brushing my teeth, buttoning my shirt, drying my hair, etc. Then, when I was at work, I would have to type or use a pen. "Ouch!" doesn't even cover it.

Turned out I had carpal tunnel in both wrists, which was causing the numbness, tingling, and horrible pain in my hands. My OBGYN wrote me a prescription for hand braces (which can be bought at sporting goods stores, among other places), which I used throughout the rest of the pregnancy. Once I started wearing them, I heard from so many other women that I ran into about their experiences with pregnancy-induced carpal tunnel syndrome. (Something to do with changes in the blood flow to the hands?) There were a few whose carpal tunnel continued after the pregnancy, but most said it cleared up after the baby was born. My own doctor told me that it may or may not go away, which I wasn't thrilled to hear (the part about possibly not going away, that is!).

I wore my braces regularly, did everything the doctor told me to do, and the carpal tunnel cleared up almost immediately after my daughter was born. Thank God for that, because I couldn't imagine trying to care for a baby (let alone 2) with my hands feeling the way they were. The braces did help, though, while the condition persisted.

Warmly,
S.

I had that problem while I was pregnant too. My Dr. said it was carpel tunnel and had something to do with the swelling we all have. Some people get it and some don't. I had it from my 4th month on. My hands were numb and I couldn't sleep laying down or they would go numb and hurt so much, so I slept in our recliner for about 5 months. Nothing I tried worked. It was really strange, because when I went in to have my daughter, my hands were numb and the minute she was born, it was gone! I hope that will be your case too, since you are so close! Good luck to you and enjoy your twins.

I had the same thing with my first son - doctor said carpal tunnel. I bought braces at the pharmacy and it helped A LOT! Pretty much disappeared after I had him. Every once in a while (if I am doing something repetitive with my hands) it will flare up and I just put the braces back on. I suggest trying these and see if it helps. Good luck and enjoy your babies! :)

I had Carpal Tunnel Sydrome with both pregnancies....I guess brought on by the swelling in my hands. I did have preclampsia also so please make sure you are checking your blood pressure also. Excessive swelling of joints can mean early onset preclampsia. If blood pressure is okay a carpal brace may help. The kind that is like a glove but keeps your wrist straight. Worked well for me, especially while I was sleeping (I tended to bend my wrist while sleeping which was making it worse).
Good Luck!

My guess is you have pregnancy induced carpal tunnel. I suffered with it only while pregnant, went to the doctor to get some braces to wear at night, and never suffered again. When I noticed the pain returning, I wore the braces at night for a couple nights and it was gone. I would talk to your doctor at your next appt about it.

I had the same thing with my last pregnancy. The braces helped but also limiting salt intake really helped since water retention will make it flair up to this day, not to mention lifting my 2 year old grandson. Mine flaired up just recently and due to some other symptoms I was having it gave me a scare I thought it was heart trouble but only carpel tunnel syndrome. Also try to elevate your arms/hands at night and applying ice helps too. I would talk to your Dr. just to make sure that is what it is and also my splints were covered by my insurance so he can write you a script.
K.

You may have a condition called carpal tunnel syndrome and it is due to pregnancy in your case and should disappear when you are no longer preganant. I had this condition without being pregnant and had to have outpatient surgery to correct the condition and am fine 10 years later. Check with your doctor before and after.

Hi T. I have been there and done that. It will go away as soon as you deliver. It is pregnancy induced Carpal Tunnel. It scared the heck out of me until I found out what it was. Mine always got better as the day went on and then started right back up in the morning.

I think it sounds like carpal tunnel syndrome, which is common in pregnancy. I had it in both hands and sometimes it would hurt so bad that I couldn't sleep at night. My doctor let me take some Tylenol (or was it Advil?) and made me wear flexible casts on my hands, which you can buy at any pharmacy. It went away as soon as I had my twins, but it was just miserable while I was pregnant. Good luck!

you have pregnancy induced carpal tunnel syndrome.. it will likely go away when the babies are born.

you can buy wrist splints at your local medical supply store.. they hold the wrists straight and that reduces the pressure on the nerves.

the splints are abourt 20 each.

my hands did something like the dr had me ware a brace like for carp. it helped maybe you can try that

T.,

I agree with the other mom's...it's carpal tunnel syndrome brought on by pregnancy. I had it too! I couldn't write because my hands would go numb! I purchased the braces at Walmart and only wore them at night (when I wasn't aware of them) and it made an amazing difference. The fluid that you're retaining is a big part of the problem. But, it will soon go away and you will be feeling like your normal self soon!

Congrats on your twins!

C.

I had this terribly in my 1st and 3rd pregnancies. For my 1st, I had physical therapy while i was pregnant, and it was very helpful. They did some exercises, massages, and another therapy - electrode, maybe?

Some advice I got that helped a lot during pregnancy - sleep with your arms on pillows while wearing the splints another poster mentioned, keeping them elevated whenever possible, and eating pineapple for the B-12 (I think that's the vitamin)

I suggest you have it tested again after you are pregnant. I still have it and even now as I type my fingers are numb. I will be having surgery soon - when my baby doesn't need to be carried so much.

Oh yes, this happened to me with both pregnancies. It started just by blow drying my hair in the mornings. The doctor said they can't do anything about it. But it decreased after the births but I still do experience it just not as much. Try to take breaks from using your hands when you are experiencing it..that is really all the advice I have. Sorry!
T.
stay at home mom 16 mos and 7.5yr old

try soaking in epsom salt and worm water, it helps take down swelling, and talk to your OB if you haven't already

This is common in pregnancy. I'd recommend practicing good ergonomics - especially if you are still working. Elevate your hands/ arms. I'd also check into Chair Massage or even reflexology as this is very safe in pregnancy and can help relieve any other issues you have (not to mention, it relieves the constant pressure you have on your feet and some therapist can reduce any swollen ankles.)

You are not too limited in alternative sources - or you can wait it out.

I had a similar problem in my wrist that got worse after I gave birth. I went to an orthopedic doc and he said it was related to the pregnancy- called it "pregnancy tendenitis." He gave me a cortisone shot, which I had some bad complications from. I eventually went to an acupuncturist and was 100% better after a couple of treatments. I highly recommend that.

I think the problem has to do with the loss of fluid in the joints. Other common problems include ankles and knees.

Good luck. PM me if you want the name of my acupuncturist. (it doesn't hurt at all and is completely safe for pregnancy).

T.,

It sounds like you have pregnancy-induced carpal tunnel syndrome. I know it sounds crazy and I had never heard of it until it happened to me during my pregnancy. Buy a wrist brace from CVS, Walgreen's, etc. and try wearing it to alleviate the pain. It should help. It's sometimes caused by the swelling we have while we're pregnant. It will go away after the pregnancy and the swelling subsides. Mine did. You also may want to ask your OB/GYN about it. I did and that's how I found out. Best of luck to you and congratulations on the impending birth of your babies!

Your two other answers have great advice. I would like to add that this happened to me and my ob said it is due to the high amount of "relaxin", the hormone that allows your joints to spread in preparation for giving birth. It is also exacerbated by the extra fluid you are carrying around (both blood and h2o), which puts pressure on the nerves.
You will sweat like a crazy woman for about 2 weeks post partum, and part of it will be to get rid of this fluid that is giving you problems now. Also, don't be surprised if is takes several (as in 9) months to get back to normal.