Of the many symptoms that come along with pregnancy, there’s one sneaky ailment that many pregnant people don’t realize is a possibility: carpal tunnel syndrome. Here’s what to know about carpal tunnel syndrome (also known as median nerve compression), what symptoms to look for, and how to treat it.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a group of symptoms that occur when the median nerve in your wrist is constricted. The median nerve helps to control the movements of your thumb, and supplies feeling to your thumb, index, and middle fingers, as well as part of the ring finger.
The carpal tunnel itself is the small space in the wrist where this median nerve and tendons pass through from the forearm to your hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when something causes pressure or compression on the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel.
What can cause this to happen? Anything that decreases the amount of space in that tunnel or makes the tissue enlarged/swollen—that’s why it can be so common during pregnancy. Pregnancy can cause a lot of swelling and fluid buildups throughout the body, including your wrists. This swelling can begin to crowd the carpal tunnel and cause the pressure that leads to carpal tunnel syndrome. Expecting mamas who do a job requiring forceful or repetitive hand and finger movements are especially susceptible to carpal tunnel syndrome.
What Are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Some of the most common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are tingling, numbness and pain in the hands and occasionally in the arm. Some people also experience weakness in the hands, and find it difficult to make a fist or grasp an object.
A person’s dominant hand is most likely to be affected, however it’s possible to have symptoms in both hands. In the early stages of CTS you may notice these symptoms more often in the evening after using your hands all day. While carpal tunnel syndrome can occur anytime throughout pregnancy, many pregnant people notice peak symptoms during the third trimester when swelling is at an all-time high.
What Can I Do to Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
If you suspect that you have CTS, the first thing you should do is chat with your provider. They can assess your symptoms and provide recommendations on how to address your specific case. It’s important to talk to your doctor at the onset of symptoms—carpal tunnel syndrome is easier to deal with the earlier you start treatment.
If your symptoms aren’t severe, many health professionals will recommend nonsurgical treatments to ease your symptoms, including:
- Avoiding activities that aggravate your symptoms, or taking frequent breaks from repetitive tasks
- Wearing a wrist splint to keep your wrist straight. This is often recommended for use at nighttime, as many people naturally sleep with their wrists bent
- Seeing a physical therapist for specific exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles in the hand and arm
- Alternative therapies: depending on your symptoms, your provider may recommend other therapies including massage, yoga, ultrasound or acupuncture.
Even with more severe cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, it’s generally good practice to avoid or delay surgery until after childbirth. As with many pregnancy-related ailments, symptoms often disappear after pregnancy. If symptoms become intolerable, your provider may recommend surgery—it’s simply a case-by-case basis.