Wrist Pain in Pregnancy?

After cooking all day on Saturday I noticed that my wrist was aching.  I was a bit perplexed by it because my wrist usually doesn't hurt from cooking.  Then, I got this update from What to Expect and it totally seems to explain what was happening.

 

If you're like many pregnant women (especially those who work at computers), you may have begun to notice an uncomfortable tingling and numbness in your wrists and fingers.  Though it's usually associated with work that requires repetitive motion such as typing, carpal tunnel strikes pregnant women for a different reason (though repetitive motion can definitely contribute).  The swelling that's so common during pregnancy can put pressure on the nerve that runs through your wrist, causing numbness, tingling, pain, or a dull ache in the fingers, hand, or wrist. You might feel yourself wrestling with wrist pain more at night when you are around 24 weeks pregnant. That's because fluids that accumulate in your lower extremities during the day are redistributed to the rest of your body (including your hands) when you're lying down.

 

How can you find relief? Avoid sleeping on your hands, and if you feel numbness at night, prop your arms up with a pillow. (With all the propping up that is needed during pregnancy Aaron may be clinging to the edge of the mattress here soon) Shaking your hands and wrists might also help. Be sure, too, that if you are doing repetitive motions such as piano playing or typing (maybe chopping vegetables?), take frequent hand-stretching breaks. If you're in a lot of pain, a wrist brace might be just the ticket to comfort. For more information, read here about coping with carpal tunnel syndrome while pregnant.

 

Luckily, when the regular swelling of pregnancy resolves after delivery, the carpal tunnel symptoms will diminish, too.

 

Fortunately, some time to just sit and relax on Sunday seems to have done the trick and the problem is gone for now.