Will it go away?
Your symptoms should go away after six weeks following the
birth of your baby as the hormones and fluid levels return to
normal and you lose the weight gained in pregnancy. However,
while breastfeeding, these hormones stay at higher levels in the
body so it may take some women longer than others to find their
symptoms settle.
Sometimes, the extra demands of looking after a baby can put a
strain on the wrist. During activities such as feeding, lifting and
holding the baby, make sure you do not over stretch or strain
your wrist.
Further information
Carpal tunnel
syndrome
Patient information
NHS Choices website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome
Patient Advice and Liaison service (PALS)
PALS can provide information and support to patients and carers
and will listen to your concerns, suggestions or queries.
The service is available between 9am and 5pm.
Tel: 0208 510 7315
Email: Pals@homerton.nhs.uk
For information on the references used to produce this leaflet, please
ring 0208 510 5302/5144 or email enquiries@homerton.nhs.uk
Author(s): Women’s Health Physiotherapy
Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Homerton Row, London, E9 6SR
T
020 8510 7835
W www.homerton.nhs.uk
E
enquiries@homerton.nhs.uk
Date produced: May 2014
Review date: May 2016
Women’s Health Physiotherapy
Integrated Medical and Rehabilitation
Services
Tel: 0208 510 7835
Incorporating hospital and community health
services, teaching and research
This booklet provides
information about carpal
tunnel syndrome and what
you can do to help this
condition.
What is carpal tunnel
syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is
the name given to the
squashing of the nerve as it
passes through the carpal
tunnel at the wrist.
The tunnel is made up of
small hand bones on the
bottom and a strong ligament
over the top. Muscles,
tendons, blood vessels and
nerves lie in the tunnel going
into the hand.
Why in pregnancy?
There is little free space left in
the carpal tunnel as the nerve
passes through. Any change in
the tunnel will lead to the
symptoms you are feeling.
During pregnancy many
hormonal changes occur. There
is an increase in the amount of
hormones in the body, which
means that the body will retain
a lot of fluid. (You may feel your
hands and feet are swollen.)
The extra fluid will settle in the
tunnel, putting more pressure
on the nerve and squashing it.
As you gain weight during your
pregnancy, the nerve can be
squashed further, which may
also increase your symptoms.
What are the symptoms?
Ref: British Society for Surgery of the Hand
Symptoms usually start in the
night when you are woken up
with cramps in the hand, which
require shaking out. You may
feel burning, tingling, numbness
and pain in the hand, and
sometimes the arm. Usually
both hands are affected, but
you will find that symptoms in
your dominant hand are a little
more severe than the other
hand.
These symptoms are first
noticed at night because we
sleep with our wrists in a bent
position. This lessens the space
in the tunnel even more, but as
symptoms continue, you may
feel the tingling and numbness
during the day as well.
Some people may have
weakness of the thumb
muscles. This means that
holding the toothbrush or the
phone can become more
difficult.
3. Massage the fluid back up
in the direction of your elbow.
This will help to circulate the
fluid back into the body.
4. Try the following stretches
to help improve circulation
of fluid:
How is it treated?
Sleeping and getting rest is
very important, especially in
preparation for labour and
giving birth. Therefore, the aim
of treatment is to manage the
symptoms. This can be done in
the following ways:
1. Make a fist and open and
close it quickly. Do this for
about 30 seconds to increase
circulation. If you can, try and
elevate the hand and elbow
above the shoulder, supported
on a pillow.
2. Try bathing your hands in
alternate bowls of warm and
cold water to help reduce the
pain.
5. If you have wrists splints,
use them at night. These will
keep your wrist in a better
position and maintain the
space in the tunnel. Most of
all, it will help you sleep
better.