If you experience recurrent numb fingers, numb hands, or pain in your hands and arms during your pregnancy, you probably have carpal tunnel syndrome. These 5 symptoms are typical.
Symptom 1: Tingling and numb fingers
Tingling is typical of carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy, comparable to the feeling of needles or numbness in your wrists, hands and forearms. It can be similar to the feeling when one of your body parts "falls asleep". These sensations can increase at night.
Symptom 2: Pain in wrists, hands and forearms
If you work a lot with your hands, grabbing things, or bending your wrists, you may feel pain in your forearm, just between your wrist and elbow. Carpal tunnel pain is sometimes expressed as a burning sensation.
Symptom 3: Stiff feeling
Pregnant women with carpal tunnel syndrome may also experience morning stiffness. You usually feel this tension in your fingers when you wake up. This happens because the metacarpal nerve, which runs from the forearm into the fingers, is compressed.
Symptom 4: Weak fingers
If your hands, wrists, and forearms feel numb, then chances are your ability to grasp things is diminishing. You may find that your hand, thumb, and fingers feel weak. Hand movements like holding a toothbrush while brushing your teeth can become challenging.
Symptom 5: Dropping items
If your fingers are stiff in the morning, you may end up accidentally dropping things more often than usual. Especially early in the morning when your fingers are still stiff. You may also notice that you have trouble using a screwdriver or opening a jar.
