I guess my celebration present of being in the third trimester is having some weird feelings in my hands and wrists. I’m self-diagnosing myself as having carpal tunnel, well at least until I talk to my OB.
Of course the feelings that I have were not present last Wednesday at my doctor’s appointment.
Of course, that would have been too convenient.
I’ve been hearing that carpal tunnel can come in the 2nd half of pregnancy due to retaining fluid and swelling. The thing I find odd is that I’m not exactly swollen.
Yes, my hands might be a bit just because my wedding band and engagement ring are a little too snug for my liking, but it’s not like the swelling of a balloon or anything that dramatic. It’s very moderate, if any, and not visible to the naked eye, that’s for sure.
I’m guessing that since I’m on the computer just about all day it could be carpal tunnel. Most of the time I am sitting on the couch in the living room with my laptop, so I’m not what you would call ergonomically correct. In fact, I should probably go sit properly in my office with my wrists how they should be.
For maybe a month or two I have noticed that my hands fall asleep when I’m asleep. I hate that numb and tingling feeling. I did ask my OB at my appointment a month ago about this and she said that it was normal. While reading up on carpal tunnel, I see that this is part of it as well.
Starting just a few days ago I’ve noticed a weird feeling in my left wrist and thumb. I wouldn’t go as far as saying that it’s painful, but it’s sometimes sharp and definitely annoying. It’s definitely worse at night and right when I wake up in the morning. I shake my wrists around a lot and that seems to help and there is also a popping kind of noise, like when you crack your knuckles.
If it is carpal tunnel, then I might talk to my doctor to see what will help. I read that ibuprofen helps, but I know that I can’t take that while pregnant. I also read that sleeping in a wrist brace could provide some relief so I will try that out as well.
Have any of you experienced the symptoms that I’ve been having? If so, were you “diagnosed” with carpal tunnel? What did you do for relief from it? Most importantly, did it go away after you had your baby?
Thanks!
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I had the same problem in my third trimester, my wrists would ache and cramp up if I was on the computer or trying to cook/chop something. It was kind of painful, and almost immediately after I had my son it cleared up and went away.
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