28 Mar Carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) can be a common occurrence during pregnancy. Polly experienced this during her pregnancy with JJ.
It is a result of having more fluid in the body during pregnancy and this can then result in a build-up of pressure on the nerves in the hand and wrist.
Some of the symptoms you may experience are:
- Discomfort, throbbing or pain in the palm of your hand, thumb, fingers and wrist
- Swelling in the hand, thumb and fingers
- Your hand feeling weak when you try and grip
- Numbness in the hand, thumb and fingers (this may also be felt in the forearm)
- Tingling or pins and needles in the hand, thumb and fingers
- Cramping can sometimes occur
- Symptoms can feel worse during the night and in the morning
- Redness and increase in skin temperature
There are exercises that can help with CTS and here are some examples:
Polly had regular chiropractic adjustments with Lauren during her pregnancy which she felt helped with her CTS. Exercises can also help.
The exercises Polly did regularly to relieve her systems were to:
- Push your hands together in a prayer position, with your elbows out to the side.
- Push your hands down to your waist until you feel a moderate stretch.
- Hold for 30 seconds.
- Rotate your wrists by moving your hands up, down, left and right.
- Repeat four times.
- Stretch your fingers wide and then relax them.
- Repeat up to 4 times.
Symptoms can vary and can affect one or both hands.
If you are suffering with CTS, please do not worry as it cannot harm your baby and your symptoms will usually pass shortly after giving birth. Many women notice they have no pain a few days after giving birth.
Source: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome
