New mothers often experience numbness or tingling in their hands as a result of ulnar nerve entrapment or fluid-related carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy. In some cases, the condition may be more serious. Your doctor can determine the cause as well as discuss possible treatments.
Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
While this condition is not exclusive to pregnancy, it has a higher chance of occurring while carrying a child. As your child grows in your stomach, the weight and balance of your body begins to shift. This can throw off different muscles in your body, including your arms. If your ulnar nerve gets pinched in your arm as a result, you will feel a numb, tingling sensation that runs from your wrist down to your fingers.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
While carpal tunnel syndrome often is associated with repetitive motion stress, it can come on in the later stages of pregnancy. As your body retains more fluid in preparation of your child, the fluid can spread to the carpal tunnel canal in the wrist and hands, causing swelling, tingling and numbness. This swelling also compresses the median nerve in your wrist, causing tingling that can move from your thumb to your middle finger.
Medications
If you are looking to reduce swelling and tingling in your fingers, taking an anti-inflammatory medication can help. This reduces pressure on the median nerve. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs can be purchased, although it is best to consult your doctor to see if he recommends a specific medication. B-12 vitamin supplements also can help improve circulation and reduce swelling in your hands.
Caution
While tingling fingers and numbness often are directly related to your pregnancy, you also may be experiencing a more serious condition, such as cervical spondylosis. As a result, consult your doctor with the specific symptoms you are feeling, giving him the chance to recommend an MRI if necessary. Another scan that may be administered is an EMG, which tests specific nerve functioning in your body.
