In this article:
Why Do Your Fingertips Feel Cold and Tingling During Pregnancy?
As explained by Dr Tripti, cold or tingling of the fingertips during pregnancy has to do with some physiological changes in your circulation, hormonal changes, and fluid changes. Pregnancy leads to an increase in the volume of blood in the body; it also causes changes in the distribution of blood flow in your body. This change will sometimes lead to temporary narrowing of the arteries in your fingertips, especially when you are exposed to cold temperatures or stressed.The narrowing of the arteries will cause a reduction in blood flow to your fingertips and will make them feel cold, numb or tingling as opposed to the rest of the body. It is usually just a temporary feeling that arises because of the strain on your circulation during pregnancy. The body will be channelling an additional supply of blood towards your uterus for the baby, and this constant flow will sometimes affect your fingers and toes.
Is It Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Another condition causing the symptoms described above is fluid retention. According to Dr Tripti, swelling of your wrist can press your median nerve, leading to carpal tunnel syndrome associated with pregnancy. This condition can lead to numbness, tingling, a burning sensation, or weakness of your fingers and hands, especially at night or after hand motions.Pregnancy-associated carpal tunnel syndrome becomes more likely the further you progress in pregnancy because of the additional amount of fluid that your body retains. The other triggers that can make the condition worse include typing, knitting, or spending much time on your phone. Carpal tunnel syndrome can also get more severe in the morning due to the accumulation of fluid that occurred overnight when your hands were resting while you were asleep.
Fortunately, pregnancy-associated carpal tunnel syndrome gets better after pregnancy when the body starts reducing the retained fluid. Until then, gentle self-care measures can help make the symptoms easier to live with.
Other Possible Causes
"Cold or tingly feeling in your fingers can also be due to anaemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, problems with the thyroid gland, or issues relating to blood circulation. Any pregnant woman who feels severe pain, numbness in their fingers, a change in colour of their fingers, or has these symptoms only on one side should see a doctor to check for any other possible health issues."Dr Tripti Raheja, Director, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi
These reasons are important because even though many of these symptoms are harmless and simply occur due to pregnancy-related circulation changes, it is still better to notice the nature of your particular symptoms.
What Can Be Done to Get Relief from Symptoms?
Some things may relieve cold or numb fingers in many pregnant women, says Dr Raheja:- Warming up the hands, particularly when it is cold outside
- Doing gentle wrist exercises throughout the day
- Not staying long at repetitive hand activities
- Exercising regularly
- Drinking enough water
When Should You Contact Your Doctor?
You should consult a doctor in case you suffer from:- Intense finger or hand pain
- Numbness that doesn't go away
- Changes in colouration of your fingers (they turn very pale, blue, or white)
- Symptoms that affect one hand only and not both of them
- Weakness that prevents you from gripping things and using your hand
- Worsening tingling sensation instead of constant
It is also good to inform your doctor about this symptom at your next prenatal visit since they will be able to identify the underlying reasons for it (such as anaemia or thyroid problems) while checking your blood test results.
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FAQS on Pregnancy and Cold, Tingling Fingertips: Why It Happens
- Is it common for me to feel my fingers being cold or tingling during pregnancy?
Yes, it is common for pregnant women to experience this condition due to changes in circulation, hormonal levels, and fluid balance. - When does finger tingling occur more often?
This is more frequent during the second and third trimesters as fluid retention and swelling become more common. This is also the time when you carry more fluid in your body, putting additional pressure on the nerves that run through your wrist and fingers. - How can I get rid of finger tingling and numbness during pregnancy?
Some of the activities that can help solve the issue are stretching and exercising your wrists and hands, taking off tight jewellery, and elevating your hands when resting. Also, avoiding repetitive actions of your hands, such as typing or knitting, will help.
