Poor circulation... How poor is "normal?"

SallySunrise

I know they say it's normal to have poor circulation during pregnancy, but to what extent?  My legs and feet have fallen asleep in the middle of the night nearly every night since 2nd tri, and I figured that was "normal."  But now, for the last couple of weeks my arms and hands have fallen asleep every time I lay down, within about 10 minutes!  And just for the last few days my hands have fallen asleep during the day, while I'm using them!  Doing housework, fixing my hair, typing on the computer... they are tingling and hurting right now and I'm wide awake and bumping!  Should I be worried??

suscq

Mine have been doing it more and more over the last few weeks but I can usually lay on my left side for 20-30 minutes and it goes away.  If that doesn't help, what about getting down on all fours?  You lose circulation because the baby is pressing on the blood vessel in you back.  Shifting the baby's weight off will help.

Manderlin923

Are you sleeping on your back at all? That could be causing the leg and foot problems.

The hands sound like you've got carpal tunnel (fun huh?) which is very common in pregnancy- I've got it yay! My right hand- the fingers on it- are now completely numb throughout the day. It's scary but I don't think there's much you can do. Try some wrist splints and try to rest your hands (less typing, etcc) 

good luck. That is becoming one of the most irritating things for me so far this pregnancy! 

jhelly77

That's not necessarily poor circulation.  More like just the extra weight and fluid are compressing nerves that aren't usually compressed.  Totally normal and not much that can be done except have the baby.  If the wrist symptoms persist or worsen, you can try wearing splints at night.

DrDPM

jhelly77:

That's not necessarily poor circulation.  More like just the extra weight and fluid are compressing nerves that aren't usually compressed.  Totally normal and not much that can be done except have the baby.  If the wrist symptoms persist or worsen, you can try wearing splints at night.

Agreed. I'm a doctor and that's more a nerve issue, either from your carpal tunnel like pp mentioned or compression in your upper spine from the pressure of the baby. For your legs, if you can feel the pulse in your foot, then your circulation is fine. To find it, go between your first and second toes to about the midpoint on the top of your foot (it may be hard to find). You can also wear knee-high compression stockings to help (and help reduce varicose veins)