Approximately 30% of pregnant women will develop numbness in one or both hands following the distribution of the median nerve.

This distribution includes the index finger, middle finger, medial surface of ring finger, with sparing of the lateral surface of the ring finger and the little finger.

These symptoms are due to swelling and compression of the median nerve as it passes through the “carpal tunnel” in the wrist.

The dominant hand is more frequently effected. It is usually worse in the morning and improved in the evening. After delivery, the condition goes away gradually. In broad strokes, it takes about the same amount of time to resolve that it took to develop.

No treatment is necessary for this condition, so long as the motor portion of the nerve is still functioning normally. When treatment is necessary, splinting the wrist in a “cockup splint” will be helpful. Injection of the carpal tunnel with steroids may also be done (after 24 weeks of pregnancy).

Rarely, surgery may be necessary to free up the median nerve, although this is almost never required during pregnancy.