“Is It Normal To Feel Numbness and Tingling During Pregnancy?”

Is It Normal To Feel Numbness and Tingling During Pregnancy?

Many women experience numbness, tingling and pain in their hands, fingers and wrists during pregnancy. Typically these symptoms don’t pop up until the late second or early third trimester. Usually these symptoms are a sign of developing carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy.

Carpal Tunnel Common During Pregnancy
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common side effect of pregnancy. Many women will experience pain and numbness or tingling in their hands and fingers during pregnancy. This is a common condition typically resulting from carpal tunnel syndrome.

Most of the time women associate carpal tunnel with a work related condition. It is more common among women who work in jobs requiring repetitive hand and finger movements including typing or computer programming. Roughly one of ever four women will develop carpal tunnel during pregnancy, whether they are engaged in repetitive tasks or not.

Pain and numbness during pregnancy typically start in the second trimester. This often results from the increased water retention and swelling women experience during this time. Fortunately most women find their symptoms improve dramatically in the weeks following birth.

Risk Factors and Causes of Pain and Tingling During Pregnancy
Most women experience pain and tingling associated with carpal tunnel syndrome because of increasing edema or swelling during pregnancy. During pregnancy, the ligaments in the body swell and experience increasing pressure.

Carpal tunnel syndrome results when the median nerve running through the bony canal forming the carpal tunnel is compressed due to swelling.  Some women may experience additional symptoms including aching in the fingers or a burning pain in the arm or shoulder.

Treatment for Pain and Numbness During Pregnancy
Most women experience worsening symptoms on rising in the morning, or in the evening after a long days work. Fortunately you can help alleviate some of the discomfort associated with carpal tunnel simply by shifting positions. If you find your fingers and wrists are aching, you should take a break from what you are doing to rest your hands.

You may find a writs brace or splint works well for stabilizing your writs and preventing excessive pain. Some women find they have to adjust their work station to ensure their wrists aren’t bending downward as they type. Many will find a wrist brace helps them get through the day when working.

Other tips that may help improve some of the pain and discomfort include dipping your hands and wrists into a hot bath of water immediately followed by a cool bath of water. You can do this in your kitchen sink. This may help alleviate some of the pressure and swelling leading to pain and numbness. While a temporary fix, most women find this simple strategy very effective. If you are at a computer for much of your pregnancy, you may find use of an ergonomic keyboard helpful for relieving many of the signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel during pregnancy.

If you find simple exercises and adjustments in your work station do not help alleviate the numbness and tingling of carpal tunnel, you should consult with your health car provider. They may suggest physical therapy in addition to wearing a hand brace or write brace during pregnancy.

Most of the time carpal tunnel symptoms go away shortly after delivery, as does most of the swelling associated with pregnancy. Your doctor may also recommend taking anti-inflammatory agents after delivery to help alleviate any residual pain or discomfort.

What If Symptoms Persist After Pregnancy?
There are cases where carpal tunnel syndrome does not resolve itself after pregnancy. If this is the case it is important you get a referral to a specialist that can help you decide on advanced treatment alternatives. In very severe cases, surgery is sometimes necessary to help relieve the pressure on the nerves resulting in pain and numbness. Fortunately this procedure is relatively common and often improves symptoms dramatically.

Most women will find however, they can return to a normal work and lifestyle shortly after pregnancy. Like other side effects of pregnancy, pain and numbness or tingling is usually temporary, a simple reminder that you are carrying a new life within you, one that will dramatically change your life in a positive way forever!