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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Is it carpal tunnel or not - what can I do it's driving me mad?!

11 replies

Sine · 08/10/2006 20:49

Hi guys, I just wondered if any of you could give me some advice. I'm 38wks and although my fingers and feet have become swollen in the past couple of weeks, blood pressure is ok (108/60 always has been low rather than high). Anyway, the swelling I'm OK about, it's the pins & needles/cramp in my hands that's driving me mad - particularly at night. Last night I managed 4hrs sleep before I was woken up with it (right hand is worse than left). I can't seem to find any way to alleviate - I can't stretch my hand out as it's too sore and the same for clenching my fist - I kind of just have to try and find another position that improves the discomfort. I manage this for about 10 mins and then it starts again. During the day it's not so bad, presumably because I'm constantly on the move. I thought the sleepless nights would start AFTER the birth not before!! Any suggestions gratefully received .

OP posts:

lilymolly · 08/10/2006 20:52

could be carpal tunnel, I had tingling on wrists towards the end of pregnancy which was annoying, but not that bad, speak to midwife and she may suggest splints. if its any consolation I had sleepless nights pre baby cos I was weeing all the time!! hope it gets better soon x

foxinsocks · 08/10/2006 20:53

I slept with wrist splints in the end but tbh, they are quite annoying aswell (though they do work!)

Not long to go now!

Krythia · 09/10/2006 17:06

I think wrist splints are the only wasy to go. I had it after DS1, and if it runs its course your hand goes numb too, which is a right pain (hee hee) when trying to handle a newborn, so do try if you can to sort it now. Apparently its caused by fluid retention surrounding the carpal nerve, so when you have the baby and get rid of some of it it may get a little better. As for the sleepless nights now, my advice would be to sleep whenever you can before baby is born - didn't with DS1, did with DS2 and coped SO much better.

squishy · 09/10/2006 17:34

I've found the splints really useful, am 37 weeks and have been using them for 4 after I couldn't manage any longer without them. Everything hurts but I've found that Arnica 30c helps the pain (still got pins and needles and that excruciating pain/stiffness you describe but no more of the shooting pains in my wrists and elbows or the pains spasming across the hands).....fingers crossed (if we could) that we're ones for whom it goes straight after the birth!

Redlorry75 · 09/10/2006 17:45

Sounds like CTS to me - I have it at 31 wks PG, MW gave me a splint!

Also for other cramps such as in legs on our ante-natale thread someone suggested tonic water - it might help.

Original poster

Sine · 09/10/2006 20:12

Thanks for all your advice. I'm seeing my midwife tomorrow afternoon so will ask for a splint. In the meantime, I got so fed up last night I tried my DS's hand/wrist guards that he uses when rollerblading (desperate measures and all that!) Have to say they did make things better - managed 5hrs sleep rather than previous 2. We're getting there.....!!

OP posts:

FarMARSWarrick · 09/10/2006 20:18

Sine... I managed mine without a splint. I had to do excercises that the physio gave me.

Start by trying to clench your hand into a fist. As far as it will go. Don't worry if it won't go far. Little and often is the key.

Open out your hand and flex it back. Gently does it cos it hurts.

Then bend your hand at the wrist towards you and away from you.

Then when you are doing well at that bend your arm at the elbow towards yourself.

It sounds too simplistic, but believe me it works. The splint will be fab at night because when we sleep we naturally curl our hands into balls. hth

mandymac · 09/10/2006 21:16

You have my sympathy - this drove me mad and I had it for about the last 4 months of my pregnancy. I didn't find the splints much help to be honest, but did do the exercises too. My GP recommended cutting down on salt to try and reduce the water retention and so relieve the pressure.

Good new is that it did disappear less than a week after DD was born and is now a distant memory.

Skribble · 09/10/2006 21:22

I would say that sounds like Carpel tunnel, I had this too when pregnant and my blood pressure was OK.

Bev123 · 09/10/2006 21:32

Sounds like carpal tunnel to me too (and that's what the midwife said it was), I had it for the last 2 months of pregnancy, sometimes like pins and needles, other times just plain painful, fingers felt like sausages and didn't look much better. My Nan gave me a tub of arnica gel (she got it off QVC!) which I rubbed in every night and every morning and that helped a bit. Within a week of having our son it disappeared... good luck!

sleepfinder · 10/10/2006 10:07

I had either carpal tunnel or d'quervain's - they couldn't decide which it was (or both). I got wrist supports from the chemist for £5 each (adjustable with velcro) which made a huge difference at night.

Also, watch sitting in one position for too long or leaning on one arm for ages - it can make it worse for some people.

The other thing which really helped when it was very bad - after a warm bath, running just the wrists under a cold tap - the hot / cold helped reduce the pain and any swelling.

Good luck. It does ease off after birth.

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