I have been lucky. My little one has really caused me to feel intermittent nausea, extreme fatigue, breast swelling, and over urination during the first trimester, but no one is prepared for some of the quirky changes that happen within the second trimester.
I wanted to call my doctor when I started to have pools of blood after brushing my teeth, or scream at how worse my allergies had become. However, nothing prepared me for the mornings of tingles in my fingers. I first thought I has slept on my hand improperly and had experienced a pinched nerve. I thought the first and second day was a coincidence, but after the third week waking up having to shake out the numbness to regain control of my grasp and function of my fingers- I grew concerned.
According to BabyCenter.com- ” 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 fluid retention and swelling 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 causes the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
So after I learned that symptoms of carpal tunnel during pregnancy are normal, I was relieved. Here are some alternatives to relieve the pain, and limit the tingling in your fingers.
- Understand what activities are causing or aggravating the problem for you.
- Take short breaks to move your arms and stretch your hands.
- Stabilize your wrist with a splint or brace.
- Avoid sleeping on your hands.
- Practicing yoga
- Consult with your physician of alternatives if the above is not affective.
