Not Feeling Sooo...Handy?!

Ok so remember back around week 16 when I was sneezing my head off?!  Well...that went away!  Now, well, for a while now, I've been dealing with tingling and numb hands and fingers.  Pre-pregnancy I had a few symptoms of carpal tunnel.  I bought a splint, slept in it, and that seemed to help.  I knew that while pregnant not to be surprised if/when my symptoms might worsen.  OH MY GOODNESS.  I can hardly feel the tips of my fingers.  I asked Dr. Turner at my last visit how soon after delivery could I expect for the symptoms to go away.  She said some have instant relief but it could take anywhere from 2-4 weeks.  It would be awesome if I am one of those instant relief patients!  Anyhoo...I thought I would look up some info...just because since being pregnant I look EVERYTHING up!  In case you were curious about carpal tunnel, too...I found this info!  

Why am I having tingling and numbness in my hands during pregnancy?

These sensations are most likely caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. Although you probably associate this condition with people whose jobs require repetitive hand movements (such as data processors, computer programmers, and assembly-line workers), it's also more prevalent in pregnant women.  Symptoms may include numbness, tingling, burning, pain, or a dull ache in the fingers, hand, wrist, and even up the arm to the shoulder. In severe chronic cases, your hand may feel clumsy or weak.   Symptoms usually affect both hands and can appear at any time, but they're more likely to begin or worsen in the second half of pregnancy when women tend to retain more fluid. The symptoms usually go away gradually after you give birth, as the swelling from pregnancy subsides.  

What causes carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy?

The carpal tunnel is a bony canal formed by the wrist bones on three sides and a ligament that runs across the wrist on the other. The swelling and fluid retention that's so common during pregnancy can increase the pressure in this relatively narrow and inflexible space, compressing the median nerve that runs through it.  The median nerve gives sensation to the thumb and the index, middle, and half of the ring finger and is responsible for movement of a muscle at the base of the thumb. Pressure on this nerve is what causes the symptoms.

What can I do to relieve the pain?

If possible, avoid any activity that requires forceful, repetitive hand movements. Although these movements may not have caused your carpal tunnel syndrome, they can make your symptoms worse.  If your job requires this kind of movement and you must continue it, consider wearing wrist or hand braces while you work.  If you're working at a computer, adjust the height of your chair so your wrists aren't bent downward as you type. Using a special ergonomic keyboard can help in some cases. Remember to take breaks to stretch your hands.  If your symptoms bother you at night, shift your sleeping position and try to prop up your arm with a pillow or two when you feel the twinges. Avoid sleeping on your hands. If you wake up with pain, try shaking your hands until the pain or numbness goes away.  If you have a lot of discomfort at night, try stabilizing your wrist in a neutral position (not bent) with a splint or brace. A neutral position allows the carpal tunnel to be slightly wider.  Practicing yoga can help relieve the pain and increase hand strength. You may have heard that taking extra vitamin B6 can help, but two small clinical trials have shown no immediate benefit from this treatment.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Consult your provider if the pain and numbness interfere with your sleep or daily routine and before taking any pain medication. Your provider may suggest wearing a wrist splint or hand brace, a treatment that has helped many with carpal tunnel syndrome.  If your symptoms are constant and severe — constant numbness, muscle weakness, or loss of sensation — you'll be referred to a specialist for treatment.  Carpal tunnel syndrome may gradually resolve on its own after delivery. If symptoms persist after your baby is born, be sure to mention it to your healthcare provider at your postpartum visits so she can refer you to an orthopedist if necessary. The specialist may first suggest splinting and taking anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen.  If these conservative treatments don't help, the next step might be to get injections of cortisone. In severe cases, a simple surgery may be necessary to relieve the pressure on your median nerve.