Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

[TryingToStayRational]

I’m 20 weeks and have been waking up (sometimes during the night, usually about 5 or 6am) with some numb fingers the last couple of weeks. A bit like when you sleep on your arm but worse. I called my midwife and she says it is carpal tunnel syndrome. At the moment it wears off within half an hour, so she said just leave it for now, but it if gets worse she will refer me for physio. Just wondered if anyone else had this and has any tips for easing it?

Can't offer a solution but I did get this with my first. Like yours, it wore off pretty quick so didn't do anything about it. It wasn't too bad and did stop once baby was here x

I have had this since about 14 weeks. It's not been too severe, and usually hits at night. Shaking and stretching my fingers and hands out every time I wake up has helped. The NHS has some hand exercises that I do as well.
www.uhs.nhs.uk/Media/Controlleddocuments/Patientinformation/Pregnancyandbirth/Carpal-tunnel-syndrome-during-pregnancy-patient-information.PDF

I've also got splints (prescribed for a previous hand problem) that hold the hand in a neutral position, but I've not needed them since about 25 weeks (thank goodness, because they're horribly sweaty to wear)

Yes had it woth dc1, very painful. But dodnt get it at all with dc2. I used to massage my arm to help it. I couldn't bare anything on my hands or arms like jewellery.

Hi there I’m an occupational therapist and used to work in rheumatology making splints. Carpal tunnel is caused when the nerves become compressed which is mostly brought on at night because your wrist is ‘floppy’ and bent for long periods causing nerve compression. The key is to maintain a neutral position and the best way to do so is splints. You can purchase a simple wrist brace which can help keep your worst straight at night but hopefully midwife can refer you for some further input to avoid you having to fork out!

I had it in the last trimester, I tried to go to sleep with my hands flat against the pillow to stop them seizing up overnight, it worked a bit. My ring finger was the worst so if you wear rings I'd take them off whilst you still can (I couldn't get my wedding ring off towards the end) . It cleared up instantly once DD was born (and my rings went on no problem after a week)

I had it terribly with my DS, but wearing a wrist brace at night eased it immediately. I hope it doesn't get too bad for you OP.

Thanks so much for all the advice, I will definitely try the exercises and ask about splints. I did have a ring on one finger but removed that last week as I was worried about it getting stuck as well. Great to hear it does go away afterwards - phew!

I had wrist splints and special gloves that they gave me - mine got worse and in the end I had tendinitis that seems to flare up every pregnancy.

I must dig out those splints!

I had if when I was pregnant and used to sleep in a splint. If it makes you feel any better it disappeared as soon as I had given birth.