WeMoms
2 Apr 2024

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome
Some women may experience carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy.

It can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in the fingers, hand, and wrist. You may feel like your hand is asleep, and shaking it may not provide relief. This can be especially frustrating if you rely on your hands for work or daily activities. 

 As your body changes and fluid builds up, it can put pressure on the nerves in your wrists and fingers. 
Juliette Seblon
Midwife for 8+ years
Is it normal?
You're not alone, carpal tunnel syndrome is a normal pregnancy symptom that can affect women throughout their pregnancy. This can cause discomfort, but it usually resolves after pregnancy. 

Remember to be kind to yourself and take breaks when needed. 
Prevent and care
Proper management of carpal tunnel syndrome is essential to avoid pain, numbness, and tingling in the hands.
  • Maintain good wrist posture and avoid repetitive hand movements. 
  • Take regular breaks if you work on a computer or perform tasks that strain your wrists. 
  • Wrist splints may help alleviate symptoms; consult with your healthcare provider for guidance.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can affect pregnant women due to fluid retention. It's essential to be mindful of hand movements and take breaks.
Juliette, Midwife for 8+ years
When to consult?
Usually, you should find relief through simple measures like resting your hands, taking breaks from repetitive tasks, and wearing wrist braces. 

However, if the pain becomes too intense or interferes with your daily life, it may be time to consult with your healthcare provider

They can offer additional advice on how to manage your symptoms and ensure that they’re not a sign of a larger issue.
Top Asked Questions
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy?

Fluid retention and hormonal changes can increase pressure on the median nerve, leading to symptoms.

Can carpal tunnel syndrome go away after pregnancy?

In some cases, symptoms may improve after pregnancy, but they can persist.

Are there exercises that can help with carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy?

Gentle wrist stretches and exercises can provide relief; consult with a healthcare provider for guidance.

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All I Need to Know
T
Taylor
10 Feb 2024

Anybody else struggling with really bad carpal tunnel syndrome?? My index finger and middle finger on my right hand is almost always numb or tingling and idk if I should be worried about it or not

4 comments
K
Katie
ME TOO GIRL. especially since ive started school. It's been terrible my right hand wrist and arm sometimes hurt SO bad
27 Mar 2024

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T
Taylor
same!! It was just my fingers tingling and going numb but just today my wrist was hurting quite a bit and I was struggling to put my 4yo shoes on and my arm was hurting too. It seems to be worse in the mornings. I'm assuming it's the way I sleep
27 Mar 2024

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S
Sarah
12 Dec 2023

My husband is so incredibly sweet and wraps my wrist with wrist guards every night when he puts me to bed. Who else has carpal tunnel syndrome bad?? I’m at 21 weeks

2 comments
A
Amie
My doctor thinks I do. My hand starts going numb/ tingly- mainly at night when I sleep with my hand near my head. And sometimes my upper leg feels the same.
27 Mar 2024

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A
Amie
I have some small, flexible wrist wraps. Just ordered another, heavier duty one that will stabilize my wrist
27 Mar 2024

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B
Beverly
15 Nov 2023

Hey mammas Im having some severe Carpal Tunnel Syndrome anyone know if its safe to use icy hot or salon pas on my arms and wrist. I have been exhausted cause the pain is so severe it is keeping me up on top of my many bathroom breaks. Im 35 weeks pregnant.

4 comments
J
Jacalyn
I'm not a doctor, but I do know for a fact it is totally safe to use Salon Pas and Icy Hot while pregnant. My midwife prescribed me lidocaine patches for my shoulder when I was about 20 weeks. Anything like Salon Pas and lidocaine patches and icy hot are totally sage because it is a topical numbing agent, does not get into your blood stream. I'm currently 36 weeks today and my hands have been going numb, it's annoying but all a part of this beautiful journey we're on for our babies! Wish you all the luck! (My wholllllle body is feeling miserable. . .my legs, feet, back, and pelvic bone are all so sore!) Only a few weeks left to go! Hang in there! We've made it this far! ❤️
27 Mar 2024

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J
Jacalyn
Lol typo....**totally SAFE**
27 Mar 2024

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M
Meagan
27 Oct 2023

Anybody ever have the carpal tunnel syndrome during third trimester? My sleep is so off cause of it

4 comments
T
Taylor R
Yup my hands hurt so bad and they go numb at night smh
27 Mar 2024

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J
Jasmaine
Yep me! Have it now. It's gotten better. For 3 months straight I had horrible pain, itching & numbness. Now, it's just completely numb.
27 Mar 2024

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Teasa P🤰🏾💞👣🍼🧸🎀
24 Oct 2023

look at my fingers ya’ll 🥺 I’m suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome/pregnancy the swelling in my hands from my wrist presses on a nerve and is causing me pain I can barely grip , grab, write or & even put my hair in a pony tail 😩 We got 7 weeks left! Pray 🙏🏾 for me 😅😅😅😅

5 comments
T
Teasa P🤰🏾💞👣🍼🧸🎀
Thanks my baby I’m trying to push through I’m ready to take my leave from work my feet swollen aswell & my back is on 10 she’s pulling me 🥺 I’m super low
27 Mar 2024

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V
Vernet
24 Sep 2023

Well Aspirin, definitely helped with the pregnancy carpel tunnel syndrome. I got some pretty good sleep last night

8 comments
K
King’s👑Mommy
Girl I’m Still Dealing With Carpal Tunnel 2 Almost 3 Months Postpartum, I Literally Woke Up This Morning & Told My Bd I Was Gona Go To The Emergency Room, It Hurts All The Time But It’s Worst At Night/ When I Wake Up In The Morning, I Thought It Would Go Away By Now But I Read On Google That It Could Take 3-5 Months & In Some Cases It Never Goes Away 😩
27 Mar 2024

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V
Vernet
That’s what I’m scared of. It not going away right after delivery, because I’ am getting older and I know my body might take longer to recover from pregnancy. But this shit hurts. The aspirin does do wonders though.
27 Mar 2024

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O
Olivia
6 Sep 2023

Who has carpal tunnel syndrome that they can’t sleep at night. #As for me I’m surfing bad from it.

2 comments
F
Fee
Definitely me
27 Mar 2024

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A
Alice
30 Oct 2022

Has anyone experience pregnacy carpal tunnel 😫😫😫 if so any suggestions . I feel like it's getting worse and worse.

7 comments
🐣
🐣🐰💐Meghan Renee💐🐰🐣
I have! I developed it during my pregnancy with my daughter who is now 8, and for years it didn’t bother me, and then it came back during another pregnancy and it never went away! I was suppose to have an operation done on it right before Covid first hit and then when it did I just never made it in to have it taken care of. Worst pain. It gets me up at night etc. 😩
27 Mar 2024

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A
Alice
oh nooo . It didn't go away? I was told it will go away after i give birth 😫😫😫
27 Mar 2024

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T
Tyisha
13 Jul 2022

Anyone else experiencing carpal tunnel? Ugh the worst especially when your trying to sleep at night..

2 comments
N
Natasha
It’s the worst
27 Mar 2024

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T
Tish
It sucks so much, mines so bad they want to do injections to see if that helps
27 Mar 2024

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M
Mia
11 Jun 2022

Anyone else have carpal tunnel syndrome?! My gosh my right hand is numb and tingly 90% of the time:( anyone have any tips?!!

3 comments
A
Autumn
On my right hand my fingers are numb 100% of the time. My left hand comes and goes. It definitely effects my grip.. but there really isn't anything you can do for it. If my hands are achy ill run them under cold water or put an ice pack on them for a little bit. And I try not to sleep on my hands. They seem to be worse in the morning.
27 Mar 2024

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L
Liana
Wrist guards. I don’t wear them during the day but I do at night.
27 Mar 2024

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