Hi Moms! I was wondering if any of you have experienced numbness/tingling of your fingers while pregnant. This is my second pregnancy, and throughout both of my pregnancies, I've had this problem. It occurs primarily when I'm sleeping, which makes for a rough night. I am continually woken up with the "pins and needles" feeling in the fingers on my right hand. Changing sleep positions only helps a bit. I know that this is probably due to an increase of blood volume and/or some water retention, which is putting pressure on the nerve in my elbow, therefore affecting my fingers. What I need to know is if there's anything I can do to help with the problem. My husband works in orthopedics, and said that he can bring home a splint that would help with this, but I can't see that being too comfortable! Any other ideas? I chase after an adorable and VERY active 15 month old all day, and really need to get good sleep at night. Any suggestions are welcome! Thanks!
I had a similar problem with my last pregnancy. I would wake up with my forearm asleep. I wore a brace to bed. It is not the most comfortable but did help. It was not horribly uncomfortable either, though.
THis happened to me too - mostly while I was sleeping, and during my 2nd pregnancy. It wasn't that bothersome, so I didn't do anything about it, but it also happened to a friend of mine who was pregnant with twins and she wore a splint. I think it has something to do with circulation, and lack of circulation in your extremities.
It's pregnancy carpal tunnel. I had it with both babies. It's the worst. :( With my ds1, it did not go away until months after the baby was born. With my second, it went away faster.
It's caused by the swelling of your tissues and they are pressing against nerves there on your arm and wrist. Just like when people get carpal tunnel for other reasons.
A splint would help. You can wear it just at night.
The others who responded with pregnancy induced carpel tunnel are right on! I had it with my second child and it was the worst. I was on bedrest for 6 weeks so I passed the time on my laptop which I am sure aggrevated it. Unfortunately it took about 3-4 weeks after I delivered for it to completely resolve. Doctor told me that swelling compresses the carpel tunnel nerves in your wrists that cause the pain. There are wrist braces you can use but they didn't help me much. Just keep in mind this temporary and you will get through it. It will all be worth it. Good Luck!
I had it with my second pregnancy and currently have it with my third. It seems to be worse this time around. I try to sleep with my upper body elevated for better circulation and don't put my arms above my head and it seems to work.
It is called pregnancy induced carpal tunnel syndrome. (I used to be a medical assistant for an upper extremity orthopaedic doctor.) The first step in treatment is the brace. They have many different kinds of wrist braces and some are more comfortable than others. The ones we gave our patients were padded and really comfortable (I used to wear one also). The nerves in the wrist are compressed when your wrist is bent, causing the numbness or tingling you are experiencing. Keeping the "tunnel" straight, helps to get rid of that feeling. Wearing the brace all night while you sleep is what we would tell our patients to do. Second step would be to have a cortisone injection, which is an anti-inflammatory medication injected directly into the area to help the inflammation go down, so the numbness/tingling is lessened. These injections are safe during pregnancy, but some doctors will only do these injections when you are in your third trimester. The bracing is usually recommended for a whole month first, then if you are still having problems, the cortisone injection. I can recommend the doctor I used to work for, he was wonderful! If you would like the info., please contact me. Good luck!
Hi A..
This is actually quite commone in pregnancy. Many women get "carpal tunnel" like symptoms when they are pregnant perhaps from the extra fluid and weight we carry? I know of many women,including myself that had the same thing. As long as it goes away after delivery, you should be fine, but probably annoyed in the meantime. Just try to work the hands...squeeze a ball a few times a day in reps of 10. Use a hand operated can opener vs. electric. Whisk batters instead of mix master...keeping the hands moving will promote better circulation. If you can get the hubby to massage your hands for 5-10 minutes a day, BONUS!
Good luck!
The weight of the baby pulls your back out of alignment. If you see a chiropractor they can help, a NUCCA chiro is the best and will actually help align your pelvis for an easier delivery! There aren't a ton of NUCCA drs around, mine is in Palatine, Giffen Spinal Care. He's sooooo worth a trek out there. When I was pregnant with #3, I was so out of whack I was limping, I limped painfully the whole way in, he adjusted me and I walked to the car & got in then realized there wasn't a hint of limp or pain in any one of the step!
Good luck and congrats on your little bundle of joy!
D.
