Numbness during pregnancy is usually caused by sciatica, Raynaud’s disease, or water retention. It can be treated easily but should not be ignored. Serious complications can arise, so women should seek medical attention if they experience an increased rate or severity of numbness.
Numbness during pregnancy can be quite scary, especially when women have never experienced the condition before. Fortunately, the causes of numbness associated with pregnancy are usually quite minor. Some of the more common causes of this condition include damage to the sciatic nerve, Raynaud’s disease, or water retention. Women who experience numbness during pregnancy should talk to their doctors as soon as possible. While these conditions can usually be treated quite easily, they shouldn’t be ignored. In most cases, once the woman has given birth, the numbness symptoms will be relieved.
Numbness during pregnancy is typically caused by sciatica. Sciatica occurs in pregnant women due to the high amounts of pressure placed on the lower back. When the lower back can no longer support the weight of pregnancy, a disc injury often occurs. This causes inflammation of the tissues and nerves surrounding the sciatic nerve. Sciatic nerve pain can also be caused when a disc has accidentally shifted from its normal position. While numbness in the legs is a common symptom of sciatica associated with pregnancy, other symptoms can include pain in the hips and lower back.
Raynaud’s disease is also commonly responsible for numbness during pregnancy. While pregnancy has not been found to cause this condition, it has been associated with an increase in the severity of the disease. In Raynaud’s disease, exposure to cold causes blood vessels to contract at an extreme rate. This often results in a change in skin color and severe numbness in the hands and fingers. Individuals who have previously been diagnosed with Raynaud’s disease should speak to their doctor to ensure the best medical treatment. If left unmanaged, this condition can be dangerous for unborn babies.
In some cases, water retention during pregnancy can result in significant amounts of numbness. Women who suffer from numbness due to water retention feel it most often in their hands and feet. Numbness in the stomach and thighs may also occasionally occur. Women who develop numbness related to water retention are generally encouraged to avoid salty foods during the remainder of their pregnancy.
While numbness during pregnancy isn’t typically considered a life-threatening condition in and of itself, serious complications can arise. Women who are pregnant and experience an increased rate or severity of numbness should seek medical attention. In most cases, it can be easily treated with medications that have been proven to be safe for both the mother and the baby.
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