Carpal Tunnel In Pregnancy

Are you expecting a new little one? Congratulations! With pregnancy, your body experiences many changes and surprisingly, carpal tunnel syndrome can be one of them.

Experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy — especially in your third trimester — is fairly common. In most cases, symptoms go away after birth. However, if carpal tunnel pain lasts beyond delivery, it’s important to talk with your doctor.

Here’s what you need to know about carpal tunnel syndrome when you’re pregnant.

What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that affects the median nerve. This nerve runs through your wrist. As it moves from the forearm to the hand, the median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel.

The carpal tunnel is a narrow space in your wrist. It’s surrounded by tendons and bones that are close to the nerve running through this tunnel. When these tendons become swollen or inflamed, the nerve has less space around it. It can then become compressed under pressure.

This pressure on the median nerve can cause signs of carpal tunnel syndrome. These symptoms can include tingling, a burning sensation or numbness in your fingers, hand and forearm.

Why Does Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Appear During Pregnancy?

The connection between carpal tunnel syndrome and pregnancy is clear. The exact cause is harder to define.

“There’s an association between pregnancy and carpal tunnel syndrome,” said Andrew Hills, DO, an Indianapolis sports medicine doctor in the Franciscan Physician Network. “But the interesting thing is, we haven’t discovered the exact mechanism or why that is.”

Pregnancy-related causes of carpal tunnel syndrome may include:

• Hormonal changes that cause fluid retention
• Softening of the ligament at the top of the carpal tunnel
• Weight gain that increases pressure on the wrists and carpal tunnel.

“Pregnant mothers retain more fluid,” said Dr. Hills. “That fluid retention causes more volume within the wrist, which predisposes them to that kind of restriction at the wrist.”

How To Reduce Carpal Tunnel Symptoms When You’re Pregnant

Healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent carpal tunnel or delay the onset of symptoms during pregnancy. Staying at a healthy weight, eating nutritious, well-balanced meals, and engaging in regular exercise are key habits that guard against carpal tunnel and other conditions that may occur during pregnancy.

“As soon as you notice signs and symptoms,” said Dr. Hills, “there are a few things you can do.”

Dr. Hills recommends keeping your wrist in a neutral position as much as possible. That means avoiding bending or overextending the joint.

The following changes can offer carpal tunnel relief:

• Adjust your sitting posture to avoid putting pressure on the carpal tunnel
• Invest in an ergonomic keyboard and chair
• Modify activities that stress your wrist
• Switch your grip
• Take breaks during repetitive activities
• Wear a brace or wrist splints for carpal tunnel at night.

When To Get Care For Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel symptoms that develop during pregnancy usually go away on their own.

“If one experiences symptoms of carpal tunnel during pregnancy, it’s not a huge cause for concern,” said Dr. Hills. “Post-pregnancy, these symptoms tend to go away. It’s something that resolves somewhat quickly.”

If symptoms do continue, however, talk to your doctor. Your symptoms may be caused by a motion you can modify, such as how you hold, feed or rock your baby. Or, you may have an underlying condition from before pregnancy that your doctor can help treat.

In most cases, you’ll have carpal tunnel treatment options, especially when detected early. If your carpal tunnel symptoms don’t go away or get better in the weeks or months after your pregnancy, don’t wait. Reach out to your doctor so that you can get back to feeling your best — for you and your baby.

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