Losing Feeling in Fingers

Updated on June 30, 2008
M.M. asks from Cedar Park, TX
31 answers

Okay-this sounds crazy, but I feel like I ma beginning to lose feeling in my right ring finger. I'm about due-July 8th, and I don't know if this is normal. I don't really look very swollen in the ankles and face, but I definitely have swelled. I drink PLENTY of fluids. Has anyone experienced this? Does anyone have advice?

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So What Happened?

Thanks for all your advice and encouragement! I went to my doctor's this morning, and she said the same as all of you: C.T. I am being induced next Tuesday, so she said just deal with it, unless I want to make a $40 investment for a week :)

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T.Y.

answers from San Angelo on

Hi M.. Now I don't know 100% but it might be carpal tunnel syndrome. I looked it up online because I am having the same problems! That is how mine started too. It is just one of those weird things that happen while you are pregnant. I go to the doctor Monday and i am going to ask about it then. I looked on a website I go to called babycenter.com and searched it there and I

had all the symptoms. I got two wrist guards that help with it and i sleep with them on. Night is the worst for me. And typing doesn't feel so good. I hope you feel better!

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J.K.

answers from Houston on

It is carpal tunnel syndrome. I had it real bad in both hands when I was pregnant with my second son. Doctor told me it is common for pregnant woman. It went away after giving birth.

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J.H.

answers from Houston on

I lost feeling and had numbness in my fingers when I was pregnant last summer. I had a lot of swelling in both my hands and feet. I also had a friend that had the same thing happen to her when she was pregnant. It scared me when it happended to me and she told me it was just part of being pregnant. I did get the feeling back in my hand about 8-10 weeks post partum. Hang in there! Only a couple of weeks to go!

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C.W.

answers from Waco on

it looks like you are getting some really good answers. You can also try sleeping on your side and hanging one hand off the bed. Gravity will help the swelling basically try to keep the swollen hand below your heart that should reduce the sweeling just enough to help. My friend slept on a recliner the last 2 weeks of her preg (with her hands hanging down because her hands got so numb she couldn"t sleep

Congrats and good luck

Debra

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J.M.

answers from Austin on

I had the same feeling and in my pinkie . If it the same thing i had, It is swelling in your wrist , pinching a nerve. It goes away. Mine took a few weeks after i delivered. I was also VERY swollen. They say you can get temperary carpal tunnel also when you are pregnant. Congratulations and best wishes, J.

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J.D.

answers from Austin on

Sounds like you're developing some carpal tunnel...very normal in pregnancy. Let your doctor know, but there isn't too much yo can do. Splinting at night may help a little, sometimes diuretics, but if you're almost through with your pregnancy, hang in there. It should dissipate soon. If you're early in your pregnancy or doing work that might be causing it, ask your doctor to send you to a hand therapist. But you should be fine! Good luck!

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L.H.

answers from Killeen on

Hi M.,
could be the start os corpral tunnel, but ask your DR
L.

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L.M.

answers from Longview on

You are not alone. It happened to me. Perfectly normal they said it was pg carpal tunnel. If you have any concerns ask your doc when you go to see him.... Good luck w/the soon to be new arrival

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A.A.

answers from Houston on

Hello! Yes, I experienced the same thing. I was pregnant with twins, so I grew fast. Towards the end of my pregnancy I couldn't feel four fingers on each hand. I believe this is carpal tunnel. It took about 2 months after the delivery of my babies for me to get full sensation in all of my fingers again. A.

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L.M.

answers from Houston on

During my pregnancy I lost feeling in the thumb and pointer finger of both hands. I thought it was probably pregnancy induced carpal tunnel after hearing from others who had had the same problem.

However, my endocronologist said the numbness was due to my thyroid levels being way too low.

I have been on thyroid medication since I was 12. I was pregnant at 32. I am on what most doctors consider a high dosage. As part of my regular check-ups my Gyno decided my dosage was too much and lowered it. I didn't think to consult my thyroid doctor before letting the gyno change it. When the thyroid doctor visit came around after birth and he saw what dosage I was taking he almost had a fit. He said it was a wonder my son wasn't born with his own set of thyroid problems because of my lack of the proper hormone levels.

Good news is, after a few weeks of upping the thyroid dosage the numbness went away.

I had the same problem develop almost a couple of years ago. I thought this time was carpal tunnel (due to my years of work on the computer). But no, when check-up time for the thyroid rolled around again, my levels were all out of whack. The thyroid doctor told me that from now on if I have the same numbness I need to get my hormone levels checked right away.

Pregnancy can do crazy things with your hormone levels. Have them checked.

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K.A.

answers from Beaumont on

I lost feelings in both of my hands when I was pregnant. I first lost feeling in my right hand and my left hand went numb about the last month. My doctor told me it was pregnancy induced carpal tunnel syndrome. It went away about 2 weeks after I had my baby. Just hang in there and good luck and best wishes with your pregnancy. God Bless you.

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S.J.

answers from San Antonio on

All the responses you are receiving are right about carpal tunnel syndrome. It happened to me towards the end of my pregnancy only I was loosing feeling of my whole right hand. I would wear a carpal tunnel brace that you can find at Walgreens or any pharmacy. I would wear it at night to sleep and it relieves the pressure. It's amazing how it works, but it worked for me. I wouldn't have to wear it during the day. But, if you are feeling the numbness, then I would wear it during the day.

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A.N.

answers from Houston on

Hi M.,

This is very normal. By the time I had my first child, I had lost feeling in both hands, and it took about 2 months after she was born to get the feeling back. It has to do with nerves. Ask your doctor, but I would not worry.

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H.B.

answers from Corpus Christi on

I lost feeling in all 10 of my fingers!! It was extememly annoying. My doctor told me it was normal & that it would come back after I had the baby. It's caused because of pressure on your nerves due to the swelling. You could sleep in a splint but your so close to your due date probably not worth spending your money on. One thing though, it did not come back right away (as I was hoping for). It took a while, but then again, I had all 10 to wait on! Good luck & congrats on your new bundle of joy!!!

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L.B.

answers from Corpus Christi on

Have had the same problem, check with your Dr. about carpel tunnel (spelling?)This is a small piece of bone on your wrist. Salt is part of the problem. Had this while I was expecting my son. If this is the problem they can give you a hand brace and tell you the watch the salt not only table but in foods. Of course this is easier said then done. Good luck

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D.S.

answers from Houston on

I would contact by OB/GYN. It is probably just a quirk of pregnancy but it could be a symptom of some other condition. I think your doctor should be your go-to person on this one.

Good luck and congratulations on the upcoming birth of your child!

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M.K.

answers from Houston on

Hi M.,

It sounds like you may be experiencing pregnancy carpal tunnel syndrome. Some women get it while they are pregnant, but thats all I know. Ask your doctor for more info.

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J.P.

answers from Austin on

With my second, my hands would go numb from about the elbow down for 1/2 and hour at times. Pregnancy can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. The extra fluid retained in your tissues can cause swelling and (for your wrists) cause carpal tunnel. The GOOD NEWS, after you deliver, it usually goes away within a couple months, not so if it's the real deal and not pregnancy related.
As your doctor about carpal tunnel wrist braces they can give you. They will help hold your wrists steady at night so that you don't add to the kinks by sleeping with them in a funny position! These really help keep some of the swelling down in your wrists too.
Good luck.

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M.M.

answers from Houston on

It sounds like you have Carpal Tunnel induced by pregnancy. I am not a doctor, but believe it is due to fluid retention and swelling. My son is almost 7 weeks old and my middle finger still locks up from swelling. Needless to say, I still can not get my wedding rings on! My friend had really bad numbness in her right hand and ended up getting a Cortisone shot. She said it really helped her. It was not until after the baby though. Good luck!

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D.T.

answers from Houston on

Yes M. it is normal. I didn't retain any water but had the numbness. I was told it was a form of carpel tunnel from the vessels swelling to prepare your body for the arrival of the baby. It went away after the baby was born. One thing that helped me was to do water aerobics while I was pregnant. I did them up to two days before my baby arrived. Being in the water helps to push the excess water out. You pee a lot after you go in the pool. :) I hope this helps to ease your fears.

D.

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A.L.

answers from Waco on

You need to tell your doctor ASAP! It could be a pinched nerve in your back or something.

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T.T.

answers from El Paso on

I would suggest maybe givng the Dr a call..couldn't hurt you know. My second pregnancy was high risk and any little thing that didn't seem right to me was reason enough to call the Dr and couple of times it served me well. Hopefully your retaining water like normal and your rings are getting tight. Please do call your Dr even if you think there's nothing to it. You and your little one deserve the best attention during this precious time and there are times when not acting on "feeling's or inklings" can prove to be bigger than one expected. Good luck and God bless to you and your little one.

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K.W.

answers from Houston on

could be carpal tunnel

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L.W.

answers from Austin on

Make sure you have a little salt in your diet (since you're drinking plenty of fluids and don't over do the salt) for kidney function. My midwife always recommended eating foods like watermelon (also high in vitamins) and cucumbers to help with swelling...A little homespun remedy. After birth if swelling (especially in ankle) becomes an issue, make sure you rest lying down in bed. Sitting with feet propped up is not good enough. You will be amazed at how adequate rest in the first two weeks after delivery makes recovery speedy. If possible have family serve you in bed and don't feel you have to jump up and exercise right away. Your body will tell you you're doing too much with increased bleeding and reduced milk supply (if you're nursing it will also increase your uterine tone and decrease bleeding) Also note that after birth your body will be getting back to normal and a lot of the fluid that you've taken on, you'll start to sweat out, you may drench sheets...normal...your hormones are at work

I know I got off your original topic...sorry...I guess these were just things that suprised me after my first baby...also another possibility for numbness in fingers could be breast tissue pushing against ? I've forgotten what my midwife told me...she said to wiggle my fingers that helped keep the circulation in them...more homespun antedote...Bless your birth...soo soon! Our youngest is 1 year on July 2. Can't believe I was in your shoes a year ago! Will pray for you!

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D.G.

answers from Houston on

Swelling is common in pregnancy, but if you haven't mentioned the hand swelling to your doc already I would let him/her know.

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M.A.

answers from Austin on

Sounds like carpal tunnel syndrome. I got this with both my pregnancies, especially with my twins. Talk to your doctor about it. I wore wrist braces that helped, and it went away pretty quickly after my babies were born. Good luck and congratulations!

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K.R.

answers from San Antonio on

Of course the first thing you do is inform your doctor ! You don't say if you are currently wearing a ring. If so,take the ring off with soap and warm water if you can. It is normal to gain weight in the fingers, too. If you have a ring on and cannot get it off, it may have to be cut off, before it cuts off the circulation.

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S.G.

answers from Austin on

Hi M.,

Yes, it is normal. Carpal Tunnel (if that is what it is) is very common when pregnant especially in the last trimester. It won't mean that you will continue to have it (if that is what it is) after pregnancy. I experienced that. Also keep in mind that when your body swells, nerves are being compressed in your body that can cause numbness. It is only temporary and will definitely go away once the swelling goes down.

Best wishes.

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L.W.

answers from Houston on

Its preganacy carpal tunnel. I had it with my daughter, (she is now 6 mos.) and it started pretty early and lasted until about a week after delivery. My doctor said it very common and pretty much nothing you can do to stop it. It is from retaining fluid and weight gain pressing on the nerves in your arm and elbow. It got so bad for me I had no feeling in the tips of my fingers and my hands constantly felt like they were asleep. It will go away. Good Luck!

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S.O.

answers from San Antonio on

It is probably your upper back - pinching some nerve. Try stretching out, especially your shoulders and neck. I would mention it to your doctor as well.

K.N.

answers from Austin on

Swelling in your feet *AND* hands/wrists is very common during late pregnancy. The swelling in your wrist pinches nerves that run into your fingers (causing carpal tunnel as previously mentioned) and viola! the numbness in your fingers.

Worth mentioning that my feet and wrists bothered me well beyond the birth of my DD. Of course, I went back to work after 3 months (and maybe computer work aggravated it?) but I seem to recall my hands and wrists feeling sore numb for 4-5 months after she was born. Same for my feet. I'm fine now, but it was a surprise that it persisted beyond the end of my pregnancy.

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