Pregnancy and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Pregnancy is a time of many joys and some new difficulties. One issue a pregnant woman may experience is carpal tunnel syndrome. Signs you may be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome may include tingling and numbness in the hands or fingers as well as pain in the hands and wrists. Occasionally the pain may radiate up the arm. When I had carpal tunnel syndrome while pregnant, I sometimes had trouble even holding a pen!

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome may occur when the body has increased fluids, as happens to most women when pregnant. There is a channel called the carpal tunnel through your wrist where the vessels pass into your hands. When you have increased fluids in your body, this channel can become cramped and cause compression of the median nerve. The median nerve is the main nerve leading from your forearm to your hands. The compression of the median nerve is what causes the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Relief for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome While Pregnant

Fluid retention is a large factor in carpal tunnel symptoms while pregnant. The best way to reduce fluid retention is to reduce your salt intake and to drink more water! Drinking more water helps to flush out the excess salt in your system. Our bodies hold on to excess water if we don't drink enough.

It may help your carpal tunnel symptoms if you sleep in a different position which allows you to keep your wrists straight. Resting the affected wrist for as much as two weeks may help to temporarily relieve symptoms.

Physical Therapy May Be Necessary to Relieve Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

I suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome when I was pregnant, so my midwife referred me to a physical therapist. The physical therapist showed me ways to relieve the pain and numbness in my hands. One technique was to elevate the wrist for several minutes. She also gave me wrist braces to wear to keep my wrists straight. Keeping my wrists straight helped to keep the channel in my wrist open. She also showed me some exercises I could do at home.

If your midwife or OB-GYN diagnoses you with carpal tunnel, ask if you need to be referred to a physical therapist. You can also buy wrist braces at most drug stores.

Pregnancy Related Carpal Tunnel is Usually Temporary

Most cases of pregnancy related carpal tunnel syndrome resolve shortly after childbirth. If your carpal tunnel symptoms do not resolve soon after you give birth, seek medical advice. Treating carpal tunnel syndrome early is important to avoid long term damage to the median nerve.