Stay Active; 7. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is commonly seen in pregnancy. This is because people who sleep on their side were more inclined to sleep … Prop your arms up with pillows before you go to sleep, since this may relieve tension and help manage pain. As it got increasingly worse, I mentioned it to my midwife as I was starting to lose a lot of sleep over it. In fact, one study found a strong association between people sleeping on their side and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The pain was waking me up every night between 5 and 15 times! Carpal tunnel syndrome is when the median nerve, which runs from your neck, through your shoulder to your fingers, is compressed within the carpal tunnelliterally a tunnel between the ligaments and bones in the wrist area. Carpal tunnel syndrome is most often caused by inflammation in the wrist due to repetitive hand movements. … Fluid retention during pregnancy puts more pressure on the carpal tunnel, which runs from your wrist to the bottom of your palm. This condition is very common in pregnant women as well as in people who make repetitive hand movements, such as working on an assembly line or a computer. You could also try wrapping a towel around your elbow to keep your arm straight, because bending your arm can increase the pressure on your wrist. Invest in a Good Wrist Brace; 4. Stretch Your Hands; 2. For most women with carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy, immobilization of the wrist is the only treatment that will be necessary. 8 Easy Tricks to Alleviate Carpal Tunnel Pain. How patients position their wrists during sleep can be one factor that determines carpal tunnel pressure. Numbness, tingling, pain, or a dull ache in the fingers, hand, or wrist are all signs of carpal tunnel syndrome. Get a Massage; 6. Yes. What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome during Pregnancy? Consider Acupressure; 8. It is more common during pregnancy because of tissue swelling. CTS occurs in 4 percent of the general population, but occurs in 31 to 62 percent of pregnant women, estimates a 2015 study.. Pregnant Woman Gets Needed Sleep and Relief from Carpal Tunnel “In the first two months of pregnancy I developed carpal tunnel syndrome in my left hand and particularly at night. Common Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; Does Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Affect Your Baby? Can carpal tunnel in pregnancy cause pain and numbness in my hands and fingers? Talk to Your Doctor Do Some Hand Exercises; 5. You can also try icing your wrist for 10 to 15 minutes before you go to bed to temporarily relieve any pain or inflammation so it's easier to fall asleep. 1. Therefore the goal for Occupational Therapists is to decrease carpal tunnel pressure through positioning rather than movement to minimize these symptoms. If you're pregnant and having a hard time sleeping with carpal tunnel syndrome, try sleeping with your hand elevated on a pillow, which will reduce the amount of fluid and swelling that's pressing on the nerve. Try to avoid sleeping with your hands … If you’re struggling to sleep due to carpal tunnel syndrome, try changing the position you sleep in and using simple pain relief techniques. Change Your Sleeping Position; 3.