Carpal tunnel syndrome and pregnancy: understanding and prevention

According to the National Health Insurance, carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common occupational diseases. Among those most affected by this condition: pregnant women. What is it? What causes it during pregnancy?

Carpal tunnel syndrome and pregnancy: let’s break it down.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

We talk about carpal tunnel syndrome when the median nerve (the nerve that allows the hand to move and flex) is compressed. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition among pregnant women, often caused by physiological changes related to pregnancy.

Some of the most frequent causes of the onset of this syndrome during pregnancy include:

• Hormones: relaxin is a hormone that loosens ligaments to prepare the body for childbirth. However, it can also cause thickening of the transverse carpal ligament (located in the palm of the hand, near the wrist), increasing pressure on the median nerve.
• Water retention: during pregnancy, body tissues often retain more fluid, which can cause swelling around the wrist and compress the nerves.
• Gestational diabetes: people with diabetes are more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome. During pregnancy, you may be at risk of gestational diabetes.
• Poor posture or repetitive movements: these causes are not specific to pregnancy but can further increase the risk of developing this syndrome. Try as much as possible to adjust your posture.

What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are generally easy to identify:

• Tingling and numbness in the fingers, especially at night or upon waking. The fingers affected are the thumb, index, middle finger, and half of the ring finger. The other half of the ring finger and the little finger are innervated by another nerve that is not affected in this syndrome.
• A loss of sensation in the fingers.
• Tingling sensations that extend up the forearm.
• Pain or discomfort when bending the wrist.
• A loss of strength in the hand, making it difficult to grasp objects.

If you experience any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to consult the healthcare professional who is monitoring your pregnancy in order to find solutions to relieve your discomfort. A simple clinical examination is usually enough to establish a diagnosis.

Want to learn more? Feel free to download the May app, where you’ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your pregnancy.

How to relieve carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy?

For pregnant women, carpal tunnel syndrome can become a significant source of discomfort, especially when added to other pregnancy symptoms. Healthcare professionals will therefore look for solutions to ease your discomfort as much as possible.

Good to know: in most cases, healthcare professionals avoid invasive treatments (corticosteroids or surgery) during pregnancy. Often, the swelling that compresses the nerves is temporary and resolves on its own after childbirth, when hormones stabilize and water retention decreases.

This doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do in the meantime! Here are the most common methods to relieve carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy:

• Elevate your arms at night: sleeping with your arms slightly elevated can help reduce swelling. Use pillows (or a pregnancy pillow) to support your arms and promote better blood circulation.
• Apply cold: applying a cold compress to the wrist can decrease inflammation and reduce tingling and sensitivity.
• Massage: gently massaging the wrist and forearm can help reduce nerve compression and relieve numbness. A physical therapist can also guide you with appropriate techniques.
• Limit wrist use: avoid repetitive movements as much as possible and try to keep your wrist in a neutral position. You may be advised to wear a brace to keep your wrist immobile, especially at night.
• Adjust your workspace: if you spend a lot of time at a computer, consider using an ergonomic keyboard and a mouse pad with wrist support to reduce wrist flexion.

Of course, if symptoms persist without improvement or worsen, do not hesitate to return to your healthcare provider quickly to find other solutions together.

Preventing the onset of carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is quite common, especially during pregnancy. But there are ways to prevent it:

• Listen to your body: pay attention to the first signs of tingling, numbness, or discomfort in your wrist and forearm. Reacting quickly—by consulting your doctor or midwife—can prevent symptoms from getting worse.
• Adopt an ergonomic posture: whether at work or at home, make sure your environment is adapted. If you spend a lot of time at a desk, ensure you’re positioned in a way that doesn’t require bending your wrists.
• Stay well hydrated: good hydration can help reduce water retention, a factor that contributes to swelling and nerve compression.
• Practice gentle exercises: wrist and forearm stretching exercises can improve circulation and reduce compression.
• Monitor your diet: a balanced diet helps reduce the risk of developing gestational diabetes (which can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome) and even prevent water retention.

Carpal tunnel syndrome refers to the compression of the median nerve in your wrist. This syndrome can cause unpleasant symptoms that may disrupt your daily life. Therefore, don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare provider as soon as the first symptoms appear.

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Photo credits: Sorapop | YuriArcursPeopleimages | chuemoonrin | davideangeliniphoto

This text was translated from French by an artificial intelligence. The information, advice, and sources it contains comply with French standards and may therefore not apply to your situation. Make sure to complement this reading by visiting the May US/UK app and consulting the healthcare professionals who are supporting you.