Carpal tunnel syndrome

If you have pain or numbness in your wrist and fingers and you’re pregnant, you may well be experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome.

The condition normally occurs in people who make repetitious motions of their hands, perhaps by typing a lot or playing a musical instrument, and is one aspect of the umbrella condition repetitive strain injury.

Your carpal tunnel is formed by your wrist bones and ligaments and houses your median nerve, which controls the sensations you feel in your thumb and fingers. The fluid retention and resulting swelling that happens in pregnancy can cause pressure to build in your carpal tunnel and lead to the median nerve being squeezed. This can lead to burning, shooting pains or numbness in your fingers and wrist. Symptoms may be worse at night due to fluid building up in the area during the day.

Doctors usually prescribe steroids to help relieve the symptoms but these aren’t suitable for use in pregnancy. Some women have found that doing specific yoga exercises for the arms and shoulders may help – consult an experienced yoga tutor for advice. Other measures that may help include taking a vitamin B6 supplement (good for strengthening the nervous system), using ice compresses on the affected area and wearing a wrist support. Most women find that the problem disappears after their baby is born, but if it doesn’t, or you’re in a lot of discomfort, see your physician. 

Why not chat to other moms about this, or other topics, by leaving a message on our chat forum. 

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

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