Why do my hands go numb during pregnancy and what to do?

This symptom may be a manifestation of certain diseases, which requires qualified diagnostics and correction. Therefore, when these symptoms appear, it is imperative to understand the cause. Why do hands go numb during pregnancy and what to do? This question often arises in women, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy. There may be many reasons for this, but this symptom is most often encountered due to physiological changes in the metabolism of vitamins and microelements in the body of a pregnant woman.

Causes hand numbness in pregnancy

Speaking about the causes of numbness in the hands during pregnancy, one cannot help but mention the most common factor - this is an imbalance of essential vitamins, microelements and metabolic processes that affect this.

Pregnancy is a period when another life develops in the female body and at this time it is necessary to be very attentive to nutrition, since the consumption of nutrients, microelements and vitamins increases during this period. The process of organogenesis begins in the first trimester, and then the growth of the fetus continues, which requires an increased amount of energy. Therefore, the mother's body during pregnancy gives all nutrients to the construction of metabolic processes of the fetus, which causes a deficiency of these microelements in the mother. Mainly, this concerns microelements - magnesium, calcium, potassium. These substances regulate the balance between the level of cellular and extracellular electrolytes, which ensures normal metabolic processes in the cell itself. This concerns mainly muscle fibers and nerve ganglia.

Potassium is a microelement, the main concentration of which is concentrated inside the cell, and its antagonist sodium is outside. This is how the electrolyte balance and normal functioning of the muscle cell are maintained. If there is a lack of potassium in the body, the work of potassium-sodium channels deteriorates and the flow of ions into the cell is disrupted, including calcium. These changes lead to the fact that the contraction of muscle fiber is not regulated properly, which can cause involuntary muscle twitching or numbness. Due to the lack of potassium, peripheral cells also suffer, because instead of potassium, sodium takes up space inside the cell, which drags water along with it and hyperhydration occurs. Against this background, tissue hypoxia aggravates these changes and acidosis occurs, which causes muscle pain and a feeling of aches. Thus, the first sensations of numbness in the hands during pregnancy can cause serious muscle pain, and all this is associated with a lack of a simple trace element of potassium. But similar symptoms also occur with a deficiency of other trace elements.

Magnesium is an electrolyte that ensures the conduction of impulses along nerve cells, and for muscle fibers it ensures the function of normal contraction under the influence of a nerve impulse from the corresponding nerve. Normally, there is a balance between magnesium and calcium, and the processes of nerve impulse conduction are regulated. Calcium enters the cell through slow channels and muscle contraction occurs, and then magnesium ensures the relaxation of the muscle fiber by means of a nerve impulse from the nerve fiber. When there is not enough magnesium, the process of conducting a nerve impulse to the nerve ganglion from the muscle fiber does not occur properly, which can lead to numbness or excessive muscle contraction in the form of cramps of individual muscle groups. Thus, numbness of the hands occurs first with a magnesium deficiency, and then cramps of the distal muscles.

Calcium is also one of the main microelements that participate in normal impulse conduction and muscle fiber contraction. It is the main initiator of muscle contraction at the moment when it enters the cell through calcium channels. This process is disrupted by calcium deficiency and long-open calcium channels are replaced by sodium, which causes an increase in the sodium level in the muscle cell. Increased calcium content inside the cell causes a huge influx of water, which in turn contributes to intracellular hyperhydration. Swelling of muscle fibers causes compression of nerve ganglia and nerve endings, which is another factor in the development of paresthesia and numbness of the hands during pregnancy.

These causes of numbness in the hands during pregnancy are easy to eliminate, because these are physiological changes. If we are talking about long-term symptoms, then there is a possibility that this is caused by an organic pathology that the woman could have had before pregnancy.

The cause of symptoms in the form of numbness of the hands during pregnancy may be a neurological disease in the form of osteochondrosis or arthrosis of the thoracic or cervical spine. In this case, compression of the nerve endings occurs, which causes a violation of the normal conductivity of the nerve impulse with a feeling of numbness. This pathology is more serious and requires correction.

Another cause of numbness may be diabetes. A woman may have this disease both before pregnancy and it may be gestational diabetes. The mechanism of development of these disorders is that with insulin deficiency, glucose does not go through the full metabolic pathway and a huge amount of intermediate metabolite is formed - sorbitol. Sorbitol is a substance that can accumulate in the vessels that supply blood to nerve fibers - vasa vasorum. This disrupts the trophism of nerve fibers and paresthesia occurs, that is, a feeling of numbness in the hands. Therefore, with this pathology, it is very important to exclude diabetes mellitus as a possible cause of paresthesia.

These are the main causes and mechanisms of development of numbness of the hands during pregnancy, which requires the exclusion of organic causes and correction of the condition.

Symptoms hand numbness in pregnancy

Numbness of the hands during pregnancy most often occurs after sleep, when the woman wakes up. This happens because the conductivity of the nerve impulse after sleep worsens, since there is a physiological violation of this process. As for the period, numbness most often occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy, when the woman's body weight increases significantly and the processes of excretion of metabolic products are disrupted.

Very often, hands go numb during sleep during pregnancy and this is associated in most cases with a deficiency of microelements - potassium, calcium and magnesium. During work, such symptoms often pass. A feature of such numbness is their uniform nature, that is, there is no severe pain or increase in symptoms with different movements.

Topical features of numbness also have some of their own diagnostic features. The severity of symptoms may vary - they may manifest as numbness, burning, tingling, swelling. These are individual subjective characteristics of this pathology. As for the topic, most often the fingertips or fingers on the hand go numb. This is manifested by such subjective symptoms, and this localization often indicates a violation of the metabolism of microelements. If the hands go numb during pregnancy or one hand, then it is necessary to carefully examine the woman for neurological pathology. If the middle finger on the hand goes numb, then this also requires attention, since this may be a manifestation of the so-called tunnel syndrome. If the symptoms of numbness concern only the middle finger on the hand and these symptoms are of the same type, do not decrease and are sometimes very pronounced, then we may be talking about serious nerve compression. The median nerve, which innervates the palmar part of the first three fingers of the hand, passes through a canal, which can be narrowed or compressed for certain reasons. In this case, the innervation of the middle finger itself is disrupted, since its innervation is carried out half by the median nerve and half by the ulnar nerve. These are the features of tunnel syndrome. Therefore, when these symptoms appear, it is necessary to exclude this organic pathology.

Numbness of the hands during pregnancy can often be combined with other symptoms. Sometimes pain can occur simultaneously with numbness, then it is necessary to pay attention to these symptoms, since this can be a manifestation of osteochondrosis. Swelling and numbness can also be observed. In this case, we are talking about a violation of kidney function or the possibility of hypertension. If numbness of the hands is accompanied by their swelling and generalized swelling is observed, then it should be analyzed, perhaps this is just excess fluid in the body and it is simply necessary to remove it. If there is an accompanying headache, then it is necessary to exclude late gestosis - preeclampsia, so it is necessary to control blood pressure.

Often the symptoms can be complicated by cramps in the lower extremities, more often at night during sleep. This occurs due to a violation of not only nerve conduction, but also a violation of muscle contraction and indicates a deficiency of trace elements.

The first signs of paresthesia of the hands during pregnancy usually manifest in the third trimester and this is due to a deficiency of nutrients, so with proper nutritional correction there is no need for serious treatment. Such symptoms pass without special interventions if there is no organic pathology.

Complications and consequences

Numbness of the hands during pregnancy often has a benign functional course, so this pathology does not cause any complications. If the deficiency of trace elements increases, this can cause a disruption of the heart. If the cause of numbness of the hands during pregnancy is an organic neurological pathology, then it is necessary to carry out treatment to avoid complications such as impaired sensitivity, motor function. Osteochondrosis can cause complications in the form of impaired innervation of internal organs and somatic diseases.

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Diagnostics hand numbness in pregnancy

It is necessary to diagnose this symptom in order to exclude organic pathology that could cause such numbness. In addition, it is necessary to pay close attention to any complaint of a pregnant woman, because we are talking about the health and life of two people at the same time.

The diagnosis should begin with a thorough anamnesis. It is necessary to find out which pregnancy it is, what births, how previous pregnancies proceeded and whether they were accompanied by gestosis. It is necessary to find out the dynamics of the pregnant woman's body weight, as well as to detail the complaints. When the symptoms first appeared, how they developed, whether only the arms or legs go numb, whether there are cramps. All this plays an important role in the need for other research methods and other tests. Anamnestic data allow us to exclude or confirm the presence of diabetes mellitus and osteochondrosis, which can also be the cause of such numbness. Therefore, a conversation with the patient allows us to establish a previous diagnosis and sometimes there is no need for further examination.

Tests are an important indicator for diagnosing changes in the level of basic electrolytes, as well as for monitoring the main indicators of the pregnant woman's condition. General and special tests are carried out - a general blood test, a general urine test, feces, a biochemical blood test with diagnostics of the main electrolytes. As a rule, in the case of a normal pregnancy, there are no specific changes that would indicate pathology. When determining electrolytes, there may be a decrease in the amount of calcium, magnesium and potassium, but they can also be normal, since their level decreases only in the cell, and in the blood it still remains normal. Special examination methods allow for differential diagnostics. A study of blood sugar levels and a glucose load test are carried out.

Instrumental diagnostics of numbness of the hands during pregnancy involves the exclusion of neurological pathology, as well as monitoring the condition of the fetus. For this, an ultrasound is necessarily performed to determine the condition of the fetus, and in the later stages of pregnancy - cardiotocography, which allows you to determine the state of the fetal heartbeat and the tone of the uterus.

Special instrumental diagnostic methods are ultrasound examination of the vaginal spaces of the tendons of the hands to exclude tunnel syndrome. Ultrasound data can determine swelling of the canal in which the nerves pass, which can cause numbness. In case of suspected osteochondrosis, it would be advisable to conduct an X-ray to exclude the diagnosis, but during pregnancy this method is harmful to the fetus, so this diagnostic method is avoided. Only an examination by a neurologist is carried out to exclude osteochondrosis, especially if numbness is accompanied by pain.

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Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis of numbness of the hands during pregnancy should be carried out primarily with diabetic neuropathy, as well as with neurological symptoms.

Diabetes can be ruled out by conducting a blood glucose test and a glucose load test. Neurological problems such as osteochondrosis and tunnel syndrome can be differentiated during examination. In this case, pain and impairment of other types of sensitivity will be observed, and numbness will not only be local, but there will also be other pains of a somatic nature.

If there is numbness and swelling of the hands, it is necessary to measure blood pressure for the purpose of differential diagnosis with late gestosis.

Treatment hand numbness in pregnancy

Treatment of this pathology depends naturally on the cause. Since mainly in more than 80% of pregnant women numbness of the hands occurs due to a lack of microelements, the approach to treatment should be gentle. It is necessary to bring to the forefront the correction of lifestyle and nutrition with an increase in these electrolytes, and only then switch to replacement therapy drugs and vitamin preparations.

What to do if your hands go numb during pregnancy? This question worries women a lot, as it can cause disruption of daily activity due to numbness and muscle cramps. First of all, it is necessary to change the nature of nutrition and increase the exogenous intake of these microelements with food.

The basic principles of such a diet are as follows:

• It is better to eat food cooked, warm, not hot and not cold, since all vitamins and microelements are quickly destroyed in hot food.
• The caloric content of food should be sufficient, but without complex saturated fats, which impair the absorption of nutrients and disrupt normal digestion processes.
• Sour, salty, smoked foods should be completely excluded, as they retain water and can cause tissue swelling, which increases nerve conduction disorders and symptoms of numbness.
• It is necessary to consume protein daily in the form of boiled meat and fish, which helps all cells, including nerve cells, to function better, since protein is a building material.
• Dairy products should be increased in the diet, as they contain a lot of calcium, which is necessary in this case. Cottage cheese should be consumed to a greater extent.
• You need to drink in sufficient quantities, it is better to drink boiled fruit drinks, alkaline waters, warm tea. If there is swelling, then you need to reduce the drinking regime by half.
• The amount of fruits should be increased, with preference given to those that are seasonal and typical for the given area.

It is necessary to consume foods rich in microelements selectively. Foods rich in potassium include:

• potatoes, baked in the oven or boiled in the shell;
• dried fruits – dried apricots, raisins, figs, prunes;
• nuts - almonds or pine nuts;
• beets, pumpkin, green peas, greens (dill, spinach);
• berries – gooseberries, dried apricots, red currants;
• pomegranate and pomegranate juice.

As for foods rich in magnesium, you should give preference to the following products:

• dairy products – cottage cheese, milk, sour cream;
• red meats – beef, lamb, pork;
• legumes - beans, peas, soybeans;
• cereals – millet, buckwheat porridge, oatmeal with bran;
• fruits – apricot, dried apricot, peach, bananas, strawberries;
• nuts and sesame seeds.

Daily consumption of foods rich in potassium and magnesium is necessary not only for the treatment of hand numbness, but also for the normal functioning of the heart and other organs. Often, such dietary changes are enough to restore the deficiency of microelements, but sometimes, for a faster effect, it is necessary to prescribe medications. Medicines that are used to treat hand numbness during pregnancy are magnesium, potassium and calcium preparations or complex multivitamin complexes.

• Magnefar is a drug that contains magnesium and pyridoxine, which helps normalize the conduction of nerve impulses along fibers and reduces episodes of numbness and muscle spasms. In addition, magnesium takes part in the metabolism of cellular elements and promotes the synthesis of energy necessary for the cell. Pyridoxine takes part in protein and carbon metabolism and improves the absorption of magnesium in cells. The combined effect of the two substances improves neuromuscular conductivity and reduces cramps of individual muscles.

The drug is available in the pharmacological form of 500-milligram tablets and is taken in a dose of one tablet three times a day. The course of treatment is usually seven days, then you can take a prophylactic dose. Side effects are possible in the form of allergic reactions, as well as changes in the gastrointestinal tract. Manifestations from the cardiovascular system in the form of heart rhythm disturbances, decreased blood pressure are possible. Contraindications to taking the drug are pathology of the muscular system, arterial hypotension, and increased levels of magnesium in the blood. Precautions in case of using this drug - do not take it in combination with other multivitamin complexes.

• Magnerot is a drug that contains magnesium orotate, which is an active metabolite of this microelement. Magnesium helps normalize the conduction of nerve impulses along fibers, competing with calcium ions, which helps improve the conduction of nerve impulses from nerve fiber to muscle fiber. The drug is available in the pharmacological form of tablets of 500 milligrams and is taken in a dose of one tablet three times a day, it is better to take it one hour after meals, which improves the metabolism of the drug. The course of treatment is usually at least a month. Side effects are possible in the form of allergic reactions, as well as dyspeptic phenomena. Contraindications to taking the drug are an increased level of magnesium in the blood, malabsorption syndrome and congenital lactase deficiency. The drug is approved for use during pregnancy. Precautions in case of using this drug - you need to take the drug with caution in case of upcoming driving.
• Elevit Pronatal is a complex vitamin preparation recommended for pregnant women as a preventive and therapeutic vitamin remedy. Given its rich composition, the preparation replenishes not only vitamins, but also microelements. The preparation contains vitamins - A, B ₁, B ₂, B ₆, B ₁₂, C, D, E, as well as microelements - magnesium, calcium, copper, manganese, zinc, phosphorus, biotin, nicotinamide and folic acid. Due to the complex action of calcium and magnesium, numbness and cramps pass very quickly with the restoration of normal levels of electrolytes in tissues. The drug is available in the pharmacological form of tablets and is taken in a dose of one tablet once a day, it is better to take fifteen minutes after a meal, which improves the metabolism of the drug. Side effects are possible in the form of allergic reactions, as well as dyspeptic phenomena in the form of constipation. Contraindications to taking the drug are elevated levels of any hormones, hypervitaminosis, impaired renal and hepatic function. Precautions when using this drug - do not take it in combination with other multivitamin complexes.
• Supradin is a complex vitamin preparation recommended for pregnant women as a preventive and therapeutic vitamin remedy. Given its rich composition, the preparation replenishes not only vitamins, but also microelements, which allows it to be used as a vitamin preparation for the treatment of numbness and cramps. The preparation contains vitamins - A, B ₁, B ₂, B ₅, B ₆, B ₉, B ₁₂, C, D, E, H, as well as microelements - magnesium, calcium, copper, manganese, zinc, iron, molybdenum. Due to the complex action of calcium and magnesium, numbness and cramps pass very quickly with the restoration of normal levels of electrolytes in tissues. The drug is available in the pharmacological form of dragees and effervescent tablets. Take one tablet once a day, dissolving in a small amount of water. Side effects are not detected if the dose is observed, a change in urine color is possible due to the composition of the drug. Contraindications to taking the drug are elevated levels of any hormones, serious kidney and liver dysfunction. Precautions - do not combine with other vitamins.

Physiotherapeutic treatment of this pathology is possible and has a beneficial effect on the condition of nerve fibers. Magnetic therapy, electrophoresis with ions, and rock crystal extract are used.

Surgical treatment of numbness of the fingers during pregnancy is not used, since there are no special indications for such an intervention.

Folk remedies for numbness in hands during pregnancy

The use of folk methods of treating numbness of the hands during pregnancy is very widespread, which is associated with minimal harm and the availability of these methods. Such methods can be used together with medicinal vitamin products. The drugs that are used are aimed mainly at correcting the lack of microelements and improving nerve conduction. For this, folk remedies, herbal treatment and homeopathic medicines are used.

The main folk remedies that are used are:

1. Honey, as a natural source of nutrients and microelements that increase local immunity and stimulate the regeneration of nerve endings with improved conductivity of nerve impulses, is widely used to correct disorders of the composition of cellular microelements. To create a medicine from honey, you need to make a solution of three tablespoons of honey, five drops of flaxseed oil and three tablespoons of boiled water and take a teaspoon twice a day, the course is 10 days. This remedy helps to normalize the increased excitability of muscle structures, and also has the ability to calm the nervous system.
2. Propolis tincture reduces involuntary contractions of muscle fibers and helps restore nerve conduction. To prepare the tincture, 10 grams of propolis should be boiled in boiled water for about 20 minutes, this solution should be infused for at least an hour, after which it is used internally by a tablespoon 2 times a day. Alcohol tincture is more effective, but it should not be used during pregnancy.
3. Milk is a natural source of calcium, so it is widely used to replenish its deficiency. Milk can be taken hot, and a few drops of lemon juice should be added, which enhances the absorption of calcium in the intestines.
4. The largest source of calcium is considered to be eggshell. In order to obtain the medicine, it is necessary to wash the shell of a raw egg, then pound it in a mortar until it is finely ground, add five drops of lemon juice, then when the reaction passes, take it at least once a day.

The main herbs used to treat this pathology are the following:

1. To normalize nervous excitement, it is necessary to take an infusion of motherwort and hawthorn herbs; honey can also be added for taste.
2. Hop cones, valerian, linden, coriander, motherwort and oregano should be poured with a liter of hot water and after infusion, drink 2 teaspoons in the morning and evening. This solution calms the nervous system and improves neuromuscular conductivity in the ganglia.
3. Sprigs of raspberry, currant and hawthorn are boiled for ten minutes in hot water, infused, and then drunk half a glass of this decoction in the morning and evening, the course of treatment is about three weeks.
4. Viburnum tea can be taken several times a day instead of liquid drinks, you can add a spoonful of honey. This tea improves nerve conductivity and reduces symptoms of numbness.

Homeopathic remedies are based on restoring the level of microelements, as well as on the tonic effect on nerve conduction. The main remedies are:

1. Calcohel is a complex homeopathic remedy, which is the main source of calcium. The drug is produced in the form of homeopathic lozenges and is used one tablet three times a day before meals or an hour after. No side effects have been identified.
2. Avenalam is a vitamin homeopathic preparation that is convenient to use for the treatment of this pathology. It is produced in the form of an aerosol and is sprayed on the hands when they are numb or on the leg muscles when cramping. Constant use throughout the entire period of pregnancy reduces the risk of developing these paresthesias.
3. Ecoberin is a vitamin homeopathic remedy that is recommended for use during pregnancy. The vitamins and microelements of the drug restore balance and reduce the severity of symptoms of numbness in the hands during pregnancy.
4. Reprise is a homeopathic vitamin preparation that not only restores the deficiency of microelements, but also improves immunity.

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Forecast

The prognosis for recovery from this pathology is favorable. Preventive measures for the development of this pathology are non-specific and consist of preventing the development of a deficiency of essential vitamins and microelements. This is proper nutrition for a pregnant woman, its balance, a sufficient amount of vegetables and fruits, vitamins. It is recommended to start taking vitamins as a preventive measure even before pregnancy, and also to take vitamin complexes throughout pregnancy. To prevent complications of the pathology, when other symptoms appear - headache, swelling of the hands, impaired sensitivity - it is necessary to undergo an examination. Proper pregnancy management with the implementation of all prescriptions, passing the necessary tests and using drugs allows you to prevent this problem and any complications associated with pregnancy.

Numbness of hands during pregnancy is a common complaint of women, especially in the third trimester. But there is no need to worry, because most likely the cause of this condition is a deficiency of magnesium, calcium and potassium, so replenishing this deficiency will solve the problem. Treatment can be carried out by simply adjusting the diet or, if this is not enough, taking multivitamin complexes.