Why do my fingertips feel numb?

I'm pregnant and A lot of the time I can't feel my fingertips?

• I'm about 38weeks pregnant and my fingertips are usually always feeling numb.. also sometimes after I wake up I can't move my wrists at all and it hurts really badly.. What's wrong with me?

• Answer:

  You should definitely mention it to your doc, as with anything unusual, but it's most likely Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Some people have "a touch" of it, but don't feel symptoms until becoming pregnant. If you'll pay attention when it first starts, the thumb, pointer, middle and 1/2 of your ring finger are probably the ones that are numb. Usually the little finger and 1/2 of the ring finger are fine until your swelling gets much worse. This is very indicative of CTS, because of which nerve is being compressed. The weight gain along with the swelling are a perfect trigger for CTS. You can try a wrist splint which you can get at nearly any pharmacy for about $10. It works to position your wrist in "neutral position" to lessen the pressure on the nerve. However, my swelling was severe enough that the splint only compressed it more to make the numbness worse. This is a normal symptom of pregnancy, but you should make sure to mention it to your doc so that he/she can monitor you for conditions that may also be causing the increased swelling. EIther way, it will go away after you give birth. Usually within 2 weeks you're back to normal, at least with the numbness.