Carpal tunnel syndrome

Today at mamanetbebenature, we are covering yet another subject that you may face as a mum-to-be: carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy. These hand pains that appear whilst baby is still a long way from arriving — let us address them without delay. This is to help you get a good understanding of what is happening. A closer look at carpal tunnel syndrome: a condition that expectant mothers could really do without.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome — or CTS — manifests as compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel, specifically at the level of the wrist. A number of symptoms are associated with this condition, including in particular tingling, sensory disturbances, and a reduction in strength. These symptoms most commonly affect the first three fingers of the hand. Let us now look at the causes of its appearance during pregnancy.

Why does it appear during pregnancy?

As we know, pregnancy brings numerous morphological and hormonal changes throughout its entire duration. And as we have seen on several occasions across our articles, a good number of conditions manifest during this period — and carpal tunnel syndrome is one of them. Indeed, it can be linked to hormonal factors. Changes of this kind can therefore lead to disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome. But what specific symptoms does our mum-to-be experience?

What are the symptoms in pregnant women?

During the major period of disruption that pregnancy represents, carpal tunnel syndrome can cause you to feel a sensation of numbness in your fingers — specifically the first three. You may also experience tingling and even pain. Note that carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy can arise at any point across the nine months, though during the third trimester, cases are somewhat more frequent. Finally, it is worth knowing that figures suggest between 7% and 62% of pregnant women are affected by this condition. It is therefore natural to wonder what factors contribute to it.

What contributes to carpal tunnel syndrome in pregnant women?

First of all, know that pregnancy is in itself a risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome. But to be more precise, one must note hormonal changes in particular. And also the well-known and ever-present water retention of pregnancy, which is largely responsible for this syndrome. In other words, water retention is caused by a reduction in the efficiency of venous return. It can manifest, in particular, as local swelling, which impacts the available space in the carpal tunnel. The pressure on the median nerve therefore increases, which explains the appearance of the classic symptoms. Finally, the weight gain associated with pregnancy can also be a contributing factor in increasing the risks. Whatever the case, if you are affected, here are a few tips to help relieve your discomfort.

How can carpal tunnel syndrome be relieved?

First of all, it is quite straightforward to do specific exercises for relief. You can easily practise wrist stretches, as well as flexion and extension of the wrist. During pregnancy, you will also have the option of wearing a wrist splint, which will allow you to maintain a neutral position or a maximum angle of 20°. These solutions are generally sufficient. Finally, do not hesitate to speak with your doctor, who can prescribe medication to support you if the carpal tunnel pain is truly too severe.