Numb or Tingling Hands or Feet During Pregnancy

What is numbness or tingling in hands, feet, arms or legs during pregnancy? It’s exactly what it sounds like — you might feel like you’ve lost feeling or feel a weird pins-and-needles sensation in your hands, feet or limbs. What could be causing my numbness/tingling during pregnancy? It’s probably just the fact that you’re pregnant, since it’s a common pregnancy symptom, says Sarah Prager, MD, an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Washington. “A lot of times, women complain about having it at night or when they first wake up in the morning,” she says. “It’s likely due to  swelling that compresses nerves in the wrists, and it tends to get worse as the pregnancy progresses.” So it’s probably nothing to be worried about. But in some cases, it could be a symptom of anemia,  carpal tunnel syndrome or sciatica. When should I go to the doctor with my numbness/tingling during pregnancy? Mention it to your doc if it really bothers you or came on suddenly, but know that numbness or tingling in the hands — if it’s developed gradually — is usually nothing to be concerned about. How do I treat my numbness/tingling during pregnancy? Try wearing a hand splint at night — it will keep your hands and wrists immobile while you sleep so you won’t be bending and compressing blood flow, which can make the numbness and tingling worse. Plus, more from The Bump: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome During Pregnancy Sciatica During Pregnancy Trouble Sleeping During Pregnancy