It is not uncommon for expecting mothers to experience a wide range of symptoms during pregnancy, one of which is pins and needles. This strange sensation is usually felt in the hands and feet, but can also occur in other parts of the body. Pins and needles can create a great deal of discomfort, and can often be an early sign of pregnancy. Many women are unaware that this feeling is a common symptom, and may be seeking advice on how to cope with it. This blog post will discuss the cause of pins and needles in pregnant women, how to manage discomfort, and what to expect from this symptom. It is important for expecting mothers to understand this phenomenon in order to recognize it, manage discomfort, and adjust to their changing body during pregnancy.
Possible Causes Of Numbness and Tingling In Pregnancy
The common causes of numbness or tingling sensation include:
1. Hormonal changes, especially an increase in the levels of relaxin hormone that stretches the ligaments with growing pregnancy, may shift your center of gravity and affect your posture. This could lead to nerve compression (or pinching), resulting in pain and burning sensation around the thighs, legs, back, and buttocks (3).
2. Bodily changes, Growth of the uterus could put pressure on the muscles, nerves, and ligaments, causing numbness and tingling sensations (1).Related:
3. Swelling of the hands and feet may be brought on by water retention that happens in the second and third trimesters (4). Additionally contributing to numbness in the extremities, this swelling may put pressure on the region or aggravate existing pain (5).
4. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), which develops when pressure accumulates on the median nerve of the wrist as a result of water retention, may cause numbness in the hands and fingers. It is one of the common complications in pregnancy, and one study reports of its frequency as high as 62% You may experience symptoms such as:
These symptoms are likely to be worse at night and aggravate during forceful activity and change in wrist position (6).
Sciatica and meralgia paresthetica are two conditions that can cause numbness in the legs, back, and rear.
5. Sciatica, which is caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve, affects around 30% of pregnant women (7) It might happen as a result of weight gain and water retention placing additional pressure on the sciatic nerve and spine. You may also feel pain, burning, and muscle weakness in your leg, lower back, buttocks, and hips in addition to the numbness and tingling sensations (8).
6. Meralgia paresthetica occurs from the compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) that supplies sensation to the lateral aspect (front and side) of the thigh. It is likely to cause numbness, tingling, or burning sensation in the thigh. The symptoms may be confined to one leg and could intensify with standing or walking (9).
Numbness and tingling may also be signs of certain conditions connected to pregnancy. As a result, consult your physician to determine the precise cause of numbness.
7. Iron-deficiency anemia could lead to restless leg syndrome, which is a neurological disorder where you may suffer from the irresistible urge to move your legs. You will experience tingling or a crawling sensation in the legs (10).
8. B12 deficiency might result in nerve damage that could cause numbness or tingling of fingers and toes, which in most circumstances is temporary and can be treated. Other symptoms include muscle weakness, memory loss, impaired balance, and behavioral changes (11).
9. Pre-eclampsia leads to the swelling of legs, hands, face, and sometimes the entire body. It could be a potential cause for numbness, and if combined with headache, visual changes, breathing difficulty, nausea, or vomiting, it needs medical attention (12).
10. Gestational diabetes may cause pain, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet. It is accompanied by frequent urination, fatigue, blurry vision, frequent hunger, and excessive thirst. It could raise the risk of type 2 diabetes later in life, and therefore needs proper management (13).Related:
What causes pins and needles in pregnancy?
According to Michelle Lyne, Professional Advisor of Education at the Royal College of Midwives, “during pregnancy, most cases of pins and needles are a consequence of the increased fluid volume you’re carrying, which puts pressure on joints and nerves.”
The sensation, which typically affects the hands, feet, arms, and legs, can be as slight as tingling or more pronounced and feel like burning.
The pressure on joints and nerves is increased as the baby and uterus grow, which is another contributing factor, according to Michelle.
Please be aware that The Bump and the materials and information contained therein are not intended to be, and do not constitute, medical advice or diagnosis of any kind. Always talk to a licensed doctor or other health care provider about your individual situation.
Numbness or tingling in hands, feet, arms, or legs during pregnancy is exactly what it sounds like — you might experience a strange pins-and-needles sensation or feel as though you’ve lost feeling in your limbs. Numbness and tingling are common pregnancy symptoms, so the only thing that could be causing them, according to Sarah Prager, MD, an assistant professor in the University of Washington’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, is the fact that you’re pregnant. When they first wake up in the morning or at night, she says, women frequently complain about having it. It probably results from swelling that squeezes the nerves in the wrists, and it usually gets worse as the pregnancy goes on.” ” So it’s probably nothing to be worried about. However, it may occasionally be a sign of anemia, carpal tunnel syndrome, or sciatica. Mention it to your doctor if it bothers you or started suddenly, but know that numbness or tingling in the hands — if it developed gradually — is typically nothing to be concerned about. Try wearing a hand splint at night to prevent bending and compressing blood flow, which can exacerbate numbness and tingling, and it will keep your hands and wrists immobile while you sleep. Additionally, more from The Bump: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Sciatica, and Sleep Issues During Pregnancy
FAQ
What are some weird early pregnancy symptoms?
- Overheating.
- Headaches, cramping, and urge to pee.
- Dizziness.
- Constipation.
- False periods.
- Colds and flu.
- Heartburn.
- Mood swings.
What are the first immediate signs of pregnancy?
- Missed period. If you’re in your childbearing years and a week or more has passed without the start of an expected menstrual cycle, you might be pregnant. …
- Tender, swollen breasts. …
- Nausea with or without vomiting. …
- Increased urination. …
- Fatigue.
Is pricking sensation mean in pregnancy?
When do you get pins and needles in pregnancy?