Uncommon side effects 3rd Trimester

firsttimemom0406

Hi! 
I'm a 34 year old first time mom. I'm at 34 weeks and I've been dealing with horrible circulation issues mostly during the night and sometimes throughout the day. My hands feel like they have carpal tunnel syndrome. Has anyone else dealt with the same issues and did it go away after delivery?

harpseal135

Look up dequarvaine's - I ended up needing surgery on my left wrist for it around 6 months after birth
 

firsttimemom0406

Thank you for responding! I was able to look into and do a little bit of research on it. I'll double check with my obgyn, but I don't think that's what it is. Mine doesn't really affect the thumb or wrist at all, just my index through ring finger on each hand. The middle finger more than anything though. Thanks again for responding!!

knottie0258499cdbe1c7d1

Sounds like an ulnar nerve entrapment. Maybe median nerve as well, but could be due to fluid buildup/swelling. Or it could start up towards the neck/shoulders, where the nerves run. It’s often due to posture or muscle tightness (but not always - in pregnancy it can be related to fluid). You can try getting a massage to work through the neck/traps/arms to see if it frees up the nerve to run through/around muscles. Typically a doctor won’t be able to do much for it except say “it happens in pregnancy and will get better after delivery”

firsttimemom0406

Thank you so much! I'll absolutely try a massage. I've also noted the pain gets better with cold compresses. So, I'll continue to do that as well.

knottie9d615359d8d6e49f

I’ve been feeling this. Every morning, I have to exercise my fingers because I can’t even make a fist. My hands are very swollen and moving my thumb in a circular motion is either painful or impossible unless I run my hands under warm water. My OB stated that it should subside after delivery but it’s annoying. 

rdothoward

I’ve had pregnancy carpal tunnel and it’s been such a pain. I eventually broke down and got the wrist support braces and they help a lot. I do the cold compresses or icing which helps too. My cousin also had pregnancy carpal tunnel with her two children and she says it does go away after delivery, though sometimes it’s a few weeks. She also said massages are the best thing to deal with the problem. Wishing you all the best of luck because I understand the frustration. Hands are so sensitive!

firsttimemom0406

I thank all of you for responding. I'm trying everything, but it just keeps getting worse. I'm 37.2 weeks away from my due date. I've officially lost feeling in my index, middle, ring finger, and thumb on my left hand and my index, middle, and ring fingers on my right hand. I tried compression gloves, but they made it worse. I have to sleep sitting up with elbow braces so I don't fully bend my elbows and exacerbate the nerves. Simple tasks like holding a writing utensil, using my phone, eating and brushing my teeth are excruciating. The only release now is running cold water over my hands for a few minutes,  which to me is a waste of water. I just wanted to give an update, but I feel like I'm just complaining at this point. I'm keeping my fingers crossed my little one comes soon because I'm terrified I won't be able to hold her because the constant pain is too much. On a good note my natural birth might be easier with the pain centralized to my hands lol. 

knottie0258499cdbe1c7d1

Ooh I’m so sorry. That’s not a fun place to be in at all. Would your SO be willing to do a retrograde edema massage (very light, moving from your hands up your arm) just to get the fluid moving back toward your heart? I don’t know if nerve glides would even help with that much swelling…you can always look them up and try them without going to the endrange of motion. I truly hope the swelling goes away quickly after birth. That’s so difficult.

firsttimemom0406

Hi!! Update!!!!
So, I gave birth on April 9th. My OBGYN said these symptoms would go away. I can confirm, 4 months post partum, they have not fully disappeared. It's not even close to being as painful as it was, but I still have to watch how long and in what position I'm holding my fingers/hands/arms. The issue with the thumb is called "Mommy Thumb". I learned this after the pain in my wrist and thumb got worse after birth, but sometimes it can be treated with a steroid injection or physical therapy. I was 40.3 weeks along when I finally went into labor and had officially gained 65lbs over all. I had so much excess fluid my poor little feet looked like a can of biscuits about to pop. The extra fluid caused the nerves in one of my toes to sever so it feels like it's broken if I stand too long. So, to sum it up, I have mommy thumb, severed nerves in my toe, and still painful numbness in my fingers. I'm hoping with time the numbness will diminish completely and Mommy Thumb can be treated after I'm finished breast feeding. As for the severed nerves in my toe, that is permanent. I'm not sure if this will help someone in the future, but I wanted to give an update. 

impineda23

I am also 34 and at 27 weeks. I developed carpel tunnel in both nads around 23-24 weeks! My OB said it is likely due to increased blood volume and suggested I wear wrist braces at night. My fingers go numb doing most normal things like holding a book to read, driving, etc. It's not fun!!