Numbness, a "pins-and-needles" tingling sensation, or aching in the hands and wrists, especially noticeable at night. Your doctor may have also diagnosed you with carpal tunnel syndrome, which is characterized by pain, numbness, and tingling in your hands, fingers, and wrists.
As pregnancy advances, a lot of women will get a temporary carpel tunnel of pregnancy. There is increased fluid in your tendon sheaths, which can cause pressure on the nerves that travel to your hands. This combined with the fact that most people flex their wrists while they sleep, can cause women to awaken with severe pain and numbness in their hands. The symptoms often improve throughout the day. Wearing wrist splints at night can help. If the numbness persists throughout the day or you also have weakness, you should discuss the symptoms with your doctor.
Pregnancy swelling puts pressure on a key nerve in the wrists and causes the same aching and tingling symptoms most often associated with ergonomic strain and repetitive motion. (Of course, if you're pregnant and having ergonomic strain or doing repetitive motion, you're twice as likely to experience it.)
If you're feeling this pregnancy symptom more at night, it's because the fluids that accumulate in the lower part of your body during the day are redistributed elsewhere, including your hands, when you lie down. (Kind of reverse gravity.) And of course, if you've been at a computer all day long, nighttime leaves your carpal nerve with a double whammy. Luckily, though, this symptom should disappear after delivery as your swelling diminishes.
What to do about hand pain during pregnancy
- If you work at a computer, or do any other activity that requires repetitive motion, like playing the piano or filing, take frequent hand-stretching breaks to relieve hand pain and tingling. If typing, type gently, making sure your wrists are straight and your elbows are higher than your hands.
- Try not to sleep on your hands.
- Use a pillow to prop up your arms at night.
- Shake your hands and wrists out frequently. At night, you can hang your hand over the side of the bed and shake it.
- It may help to limit or avoid caffeine and stay away from tobacco (which you should definitely be doing, anyway).
- If your carpal tunnel is causing you a lot of pain, try a wrist brace. Ask your practitioner which kind to buy.
- Acupuncture might help relieve hand pain — ask your practitioner for a recommendation.
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