I'm in my 37th week of pregnancy and for the past week have started getting carpel tunnel. I'm waking up every morning and my right hand is completely numb and it takes approx 30 minutes to get the feeling completely back.
My whole right arm throughout the day starts aching and starts to go numb as well when I'm using it.
Have any of you experienced this and was there anything you could do to help you get by until the problem goes away. (Which I hear is after having the baby)
I don't really want to call my OB's office over the weekends because it's for emergency onlys so any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Hi N.,
I had carpel tunnel syndrome with both pregnancies 10 & 11 years ago.
Unfortunately, it did not get any better, only worse until my OB sent me for a steroid shot in the writs.
Did the trick.
Ask you Dr. what she thinks about this approach, it was worth it for me as I was going crazy!
Good Luck!
J.
Dallas
I had it with both pregnancies (from 20 weeks) and in both arms. Here is what to do:
1) Buy wrist braces now. The good kind with metal inside them (about $20 each). I bought mine at CVS. Wear them ALL day and night, except when showering of course. The longer you wear them, the better it will be. Even if it doesn't hurt in the day, WEAR THEM.
2) At night before going to bed, put cold packs on your wrists and lower arms to reduce swelling. Get your husband to massage them. If you have any knots in your back, then putting a heating pad on them at this same time. It is all connected together so reduce the tightness in your back and shoulders and reduce the tightness and swelling in your arms and wrists. I would do this while watching TV in bed the hour before going to sleep.
3) Now this is the luxury part - Find a massage therapist who knows about treating it. I have one that lives in Dallas if you want the number. It helped a lot to have the back and arms massaged and she knew just the right spots.
I hate to tell you that it might last a little while after the baby is born, especially in the hospital when you body is getting rid of all those fluids. Be prepared to have lots of pillows to support the baby when you are feeding so you don't have to use your hands and arms to hold as much. Mine lasted weeks after, but I think that is because it was so bad during the pregnancy.
Good luck! If you need more advice, let me know. And count yourself lucky that you are already 37 weeks! :)
This is not as unusual as you might think. Talk to your doctor and get a wrist splint to wear at night. There are also some exercises that you can do that will help. This happened to my friend , but it was both wrists. She had to give up her needle work for the rest of the pregnancy, but her wrists were fine after she delivered her twins.
C. M
I'm at 36 weeks and have the same problem. My numbness is in my upper back and right shoulder and arm. It usually is most uncomfortable when I wake up in the morning, but has also bothered me after sitting for long periods of time.
My OB said that the baby is in a position that presses against a nerve in my back that can cut off currculation to my back, should and arm causing it to "fall asleep" He said that there is nothing short of child birth that will alleviate the uncomfortableness....if that is a word.
I wish I could offer more, but you may want to consider that it's simply the position of the baby, and will go away once she is born. This is also my third pregnancy, and the first time I've experienced this numbness.
I'm not sure if carpel tunnel has a relation to pregnancy. I haven't read up on it. You sound like you are in quite a bit of discomfort to say the least!
However, I used to work for a spine surgeon (I am not a nurse) and I know that hand and arm numbness are usually related to Neck problems. While I am not pregnant at the current time I do get occasional numbness in my hand and arm. I am usually able to relieve it by straightening up my posture (not easy to do with growing baby inside I'm sure). You could try decompressing your neck and discs by sitting up straight and slowly stretching your neck and back upwards so as to releive any pressure that may be there. I hope this helps.
My husband has it in both wrists. 1 1/2 years ago we looked into treatment. He tried Coal Laser. We found Dr. Ritchie at Oates and LBJ. He had a couple of treatment, twice a week for 3-4 weeks and wears wrist guards, at night. Same type of wrist guards a roller blader will use. It keeps the tendons stretched out. Not sure if you can do it while pregnant...but check into and use the wristguards at night. He bought them at Walgreen's.
Good Luck,
S.
No it dont go away. My started when I was pj and 3 1/2 yrs later I still have it
I second and third what the ladies said about the braces. I got mine at walgreens. Buy the expensive ones and where them all the time. It really, really helped. Mine finally started getting better when my baby was about 3mths. However, it still bothers me when I am pumping or holding my hand/arm in the same position for too long. I still use my braces at night from time to time. It really stinks...but hopefully it will get better! Good Luck!
Ugh, I had that with my last pregnancy and it was yucky. The only thing that helped me was sleeping on the opposite arm and putting a pillow under the numb arm to hold it up even with my shoulder. It does go away after you deliver.
I had this problem, it was the worst part of my pregnancy! The only thing my ob told be I could do was to sleep in braces. You can get them at any drug store. You want the one with the metal in them (I know it sounds horrible)because it keeps your hands where they need to be. Also, they make one for the left hand and one for the right so make sure you get the right one.
The only other thing they can do it surgical. I know you don't want that! Good luck and I hope this helps!
