Carpal Tunnel During Pregnancy
There are many common pregnancy symptoms we all know or have experienced ourselves, the morning sickness, cravings, mood swings, and back pain. These symptoms are the ones we see in movies and TV, but there are a lot of symptoms that are very common in pregnancy that most people do not know about until they have experienced them. It turns out that creating a growing new human can have a very long list of side effects! One of those symptoms that affect a majority of pregnant people is carpal tunnel syndrome or CTS.
Swelling is experienced by almost everyone who experiences pregnancy, this is due to fluid retention. Patients often notice extra puffiness in their faces, legs, and feet. But for some women, swelling manifests inside the wrist, resulting in CTS. Approximately 4% of adults in the general population have carpal tunnel syndrome, but 31% to 62% of pregnant patients have it. Many patients notice this towards the end of the second trimester or around 30 weeks. During pregnancy, your blood volume doubles. That extra fluid increases pressure and swelling in the blood vessels throughout your body. In tight spaces such as the carpal tunnel area of the wrist, the swelling can compress the median nerve, which runs to the hand. The median nerve is in charge of sensation to the palm side of the hand as well as helping to bend the fingers. Compression on this nerve can cause pain, tingling, and numbness, particularly at night when you are trying to sleep. Pregnancy may be the first time CTS symptoms arise or it could exacerbate any ongoing symptoms.
If you are pregnant and are experiencing symptoms of CTS, here are some safe methods you can try to help alleviate them:
- Avoid activities or actions that aggravate your symptoms. (Have someone else open that pesky jar for you!)
- Be cognizant of how you use your hands. Maybe it’s time to get a more ergonomic keyboard. It helps to keep your hands level with your wrist so not having your hands bend down when you type.
- Take frequent stretch breaks. If you work at a desk where you are typing all day, it’s important to give your hands and wrists plenty of breaks and stretches so it’s not unbearable.
- Wear a splint or wrist brace
- Consult with a PT. If you are unsure of what stretches or techniques to do to help with the pain and swelling, it never hurts to contact a PT, especially one that specializes in symptoms relating to pregnancy.
- Here are some stretches that have helped alleviate Dr. Jess’s CTS symptoms:
A) In this you’ll see Dr. Jess stretching her wrist extensor muscles in two different positions. This is helpful to alleviate numbness and increase blood flow. She also will move her head forward to get a different sensation. You can also use a wall to stretch the flexors as well, by pressing the outside of your hand against the wall rather than the palm side. Do this for 5 minutes.
B) In these two images, Dr. Jess has placed one hand under her collar bone that is compressing into her chest. The other hand is laying on top and pulling that hand downwards. From there you can move your neck to a position where you feel the most sensation and hold it there for 5 minutes. This creates instant relief and is great for promoting blood flow to the hands! It’s recommended to do both sides.
The good news is that symptoms typically subside for many patients after the baby arrives. If you are experiencing persistent CTS symptoms, it’s best to alert your doctor so that you can avoid any potential nerve damage. In severe cases, patients may have weakened grip strength or decreased finger dexterity. For example, you might have trouble with clasping jewelry, buttons, or picking up small objects with your fingers. With CTS, it’s best to approach it with more conservative therapies first, especially during pregnancy. Once you have given birth to the baby, the symptoms of CTS should subside. If not, it’s important to speak with your doctor. We always recommend trying more holistic methods of treatment first before going straight to surgery. Never be afraid to ask about anything that has come up during pregnancy with us or with your OBGYN. Not only is it important for them to have all of the information, but you’ll be reassured that whatever “weird” symptom you are experiencing is more common than you think!