Finger Pain During Pregnancy

One of the most beautiful periods in a woman's life is pregnancy. But this phase can also be a cause for many pregnancy related health conditions. When a woman is pregnant, her body undergoes several changes and there is a spurt in the level of hormones. These changes in the body can lead to many problems, one such being finger pain during pregnancy.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition which is caused by the compression of nerves in the hand and which causes joint pain. Finger pain and stiffness, followed by a tingling sensation are some of the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Though not all pregnant women suffer from finger pain, this condition affects 30 to 60 percent of pregnant women. This condition is related to the weight gain and swelling that women experience during pregnancy. Some women may experience severe finger joint pain, which can last for several months, even after the baby is born but in most cases the symptoms are comparatively milder and temporary that disappear soon after the birth of the child. The severity of finger pain during pregnancy tends to increase at night. Sometimes it can also affect the daily activities. The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are a feeling of pins and needles, tingling sensation and a mild burning sensation around the thumb, index finger, middle finger and half of the ring finger, around the fingertip. Mild ache in the hands and the lower forearm, and a weakened grip, especially in the thumbs, are some other symptoms. As the condition becomes worse, there may be a feeling of numbness in the palm and the joints of the fingers.

Why do Fingers Pain During Pregnancy?

The Carpal tunnel is a connecting tube through which the nerves in the hands and fingers run through. When a woman is pregnant, this tube tends to swell due to an accumulation of fluid in the spaces between the tissues, which in turn compress the nerves. As the pregnancy advances, some women often experience a mild swelling in their wrists and hands. The swelling also occurs in the ankles and feet. This condition becomes more prominent in the second and third trimesters, when the body experiences swelling during pregnancy. The pressure applied on the nerve caused due to the swollen carpal tissue causes pain in the main nerve and the other smaller nerves which then shifts to the thumb and fingers.

Remedies for Relieving Finger Pain

It can be quite annoying to notice pain and discomfort in the fingers and joints. There are a few home remedies as well as clinical treatment options to provide relief from this condition.

• If pain occurs at night while sleeping, you can try and change your sleeping position to alleviate the pain and discomfort.
• While sleeping try to avoid applying weight or pressure to the hands. If you are comfortable, you may change positions while making sure the affected hand is out of harm..
• Elevate your hands whenever you sit, like placing your hands along the back of the sofa will help reduce the pain.
• Try flexing exercises, especially for the joints of the fingers and wrists until you feel the numbness reduce. But you must exercise precaution while flexing your hands as it may even worsen the condition. Avoid chores that require maximum hand movements as the symptoms can be aggravated.
• In severe cases, the doctor may advice you to go in for surgery, where a minimal incision is made on the palm and the transverse carpal ligament is removed, thus reducing the swelling.

Consult your gynecologist or obstetrician if finger pain and numbness persist. It is advisable not to take any pain killers without the advice of your doctor.