Pregnancy and Carpal Tunnel: What You Need to Know and How to Treat it

Pregnancy is a joyous time for many women, but it can also come with a variety of aches and pains. One of these conditions is known as carpal tunnel. Many don’t know that carpal tunnel can even be linked as a side effect of pregnancy, but about 4 in 10 women will develop carpal tunnel in their pregnancy. In this post, we’ll discuss what carpal tunnel syndrome is, how it can be caused by pregnancy, and what can be done to alleviate the symptoms.

What is Carpal Tunnel?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed. The median nerve is responsible for the feeling in your fingers and run from the forearm into the hand. This condition is caused by a combination of factors, including inflammation and swelling in the carpal tunnel, as well as changes in the position of the bones and ligaments in the wrist. Non-pregnant people may get carpal tunnel from swelling caused by factors such as arthritis or repetitive hand motions. This is most often seen in office workers and manual laborers.

While those reasons may contribute to pregnant women experiencing carpal tunnel, pregnant women have contributing factors that makes them more susceptible. In pregnancy, your hormones cause fluid retention, which can lead to swelling and result in the median nerve being compressed. Additionally, the physical changes in the body can cause the bones and ligaments in the wrist to shift, which can also put pressure on the median nerve.

Symptoms and Signs

In most cases, pregnant women don’t realize they have carpal tunnel until the third trimester because this is when weight gain and fluid retention reaches its peak, but sometimes it starts in the second trimester or even after birth. There are a few symptoms to help you recognize whether or not you are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome.

You will notice: numbness, tingling, and throbbing in your fingers, hands, and wrists, your fingers will be swollen, and you will have a hard time grasping objects or doing fine motor skills, such as buttoning your shirt. Some women may also experience pain that radiates up the arm or into the shoulder. In severe cases, the weakness in the hand may become so pronounced that it affects daily activities such as writing, typing, or holding objects. Pregnant women are at an increased risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome if they also suffer from: obesity, gestational diabetes, hypertension, or high blood sugar.

Treatment Options for Carpal Tunnel

If you are suffering from carpal tunnel in pregnancy, here are some tips to help provide relief:

1. Look for a brace that keeps your bones and ligaments in the correct position. This helps prevent aggravation and can be especially effective to wear overnight if you curl your hands while you sleep. These braces can be found in most drugstores and do not require any prescription from your healthcare provider.

2. Keep your wrists elevated whenever you can, including when you sleep, by creating a nest of pillows on either side of you to help keep them propped up.

3. Try to limit activities that force your wrist to bend, such as typing.

4. If you notice that one wrist has much worse symptoms than the other, try to use the hand that is less aggravated when you can with your daily tasks.

5. Rest your wrists whenever you start to feel pain and try to switch to a different activity if you can so that it isn’t aggravated

6. Avoid repetitive motions or activities that put strain on your wrists.

7. Keep an ice pack on your wrists for about ten minutes at a time, several times a day to help reduce the swelling.

8. Several times a day, exercise your wrist and fingers to maintain flexibility and strength. One exercise to start with is touching each of your fingers over to your thumb.

In more severe cases, it may be necessary to consider other treatment options. These may include physical therapy, medications, or even surgery in rare cases. It is important that you talk to your healthcare provider if your carpal tunnel is making it hard for you to be able to sleep or complete basic daily activities. Your provider can work with you to help devise a treatment plan that is safe for both you and your baby.

Key Takeaways About Carpal Tunnel

It is important to remember that carpal tunnel syndrome is a treatable condition. With the right care and management, it is possible to manage the symptoms and enjoy a healthy and comfortable pregnancy. If you are experiencing symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider for guidance and support.

In conclusion, carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that can affect pregnant women due to the physical and hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. The symptoms can include numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and fingers, and the condition can be managed through a combination of lifestyle modifications, physical therapy, and medications. With the right care and support, it is possible to overcome the challenges of carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy and enjoy a healthy and comfortable pregnancy.