Numbness in arms and hands

melaniejt · June 2012

Hi ladies,

I'm 17 weeks preggo, and have been having issues waking up with my arms sort of numb and in pain! I try and sleep on my side, but I'm sure I end up on my back a lot, so I don't know what's going on. Also, I find that my right arm/hand are going numb more often than they used to. I'll blow dry my hair and it will go numb. I'll crochet and it will go numb. I didn't think I was far enough along to be having issues with arteries and such yet. If someone else has this same issue, please help!

edinger3 · June 2012

I haven't had these problems, esp. since I'm about 10w, but one thing I can think of is maybe a pinched nerve, or tight muscles, in your neck. I've had this problem, on & off, before the pg. Sometimes stretching your neck will help take some pressure off of the nerves. I would let you OB know what is going on. Maybe they can refer you to your primary care doctor, or another specialist.

Good luck & I hope you feel better soon!

Mrs.DeliaMarieP · June 2012

Sounds like carpal tunnel to me, it's very common in pregnancy.

I actually got it after my DS was born, so unrelated to the pregnancy, but it is starting to come back here and there again now.

Talk to your doctor about it, he/she may send you to a hand specialist and they will fit you for some night braces.

Junebug060609 · June 2012

::lurker::

What you are describing sounds like carpal tunnel/ulnar nerve compression to me. I had it from Weeks 26-36. I had both, in both hands...sometimes worse in one than the other. Carpal tunnel typically is thumb to middle finger, ulnar nerve pinky to middle (its the nerve we think of when he hit our funny bone). Mine tended to be worst (as in wake me up in pain) when I was sleeping. It also bothered me to do intricate things like writing, typing, etc. Unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot that can be done. For carpal tunnel keeping the wrist straight should help. For ulnar nerve keeping the arm straight can help. I totally used to sleep like a zombie with my arms outstretched, lol. I ended up getting wrist braces mine got so bad. They helped a little at night, but not a ton. Drinking more water may help as well, mostly to reduce swelling which could be compressing the nerves.

Hope it goes away for you soon. I know how annoying and sometimes painful it can be!

Mel_B09 · July 2012

I have numbness in my right hand finger tips.. My massage therapist thinks it is the pinched nerve in my neck though said to ask the doc at my next appointment.. She didn't think it was carnal tunnel as I have a lot of flexibility in my hands.. So maybe just ask the doc next time

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