Table of contents:
- Why does tingling often occur during pregnancy?
- How can I prevent tingling during pregnancy?
- What should I do when I am tingling?
Pregnancy causes many changes that occur in the mother's body. Many mothers experience conditions that cause discomfort during pregnancy, such as nausea, vomiting, heartburn (burning feeling in the upper abdomen), swollen legs, including tingling sensation.
Tingling is common in pregnant women. This may not cause harm, but cause discomfort and can also interfere with the activities of pregnant women. Tingling can also be a sign of a dangerous disease.
Why does tingling often occur during pregnancy?
Normal tingling occurs during pregnancy. Tingling or in medical language known as paraesthesia, generally occurs on the feet and hands of pregnant women. Tingling caused by reduced blood flow to certain parts of the body. The nerves in this particular part of the body also lack blood, which prevents the nerves from sending important signals to the brain. This then causes the nerves to experience a sensation of numbness and tingling.
Reduced blood flow to certain parts of the body can be caused by various things. One of them is because it increases the volume of fluid in the body of pregnant women along with the amount of blood that is produced by the mother. Second, due to the development of the fetus, which is getting bigger and heavier, which can also obstruct the flow of maternal blood. Another reason is because the mother experiences low blood pressure, which reduces blood flow to certain parts of the body. This low blood pressure can occur when the blood volume is lower than the volume of blood vessels, usually in early pregnancy.
This obstruction of blood flow usually occurs when you are in one position for a long time, such as sitting too long, standing too long in one place, and others. Therefore, it is recommended for pregnant women to move more so that you avoid tingling.
Tingling sensation during pregnancy can also be caused by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). CTS usually occurs in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. CTS occurs when there is a build-up of fluid (edema) in the tissues in your wrist. The swelling due to this build-up of fluid will then press on the nerves in your hands and fingers, so you will feel numbness and tingling.
You are more likely to have CTS during pregnancy if you have children in your family, and also if you have problems with your back, neck, and shoulders. CTS is also more likely to happen to those of you who are gaining excess weight, which can occur if you have more than one baby in the womb, are obese before becoming pregnant, or your breasts have developed very large during pregnancy.
Be careful, prolonged tingling can be a sign that you are suffering from diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes). You should check with your doctor immediately if you feel tingling for a long time.
How can I prevent tingling during pregnancy?
One of the things you can do to prevent tingling is to maintain your weight during pregnancy. You can do this by eating a balanced diet and doing regular exercise. Also, limit your intake of salt, sugar and oil, and drink lots of water.
You can also eat foods that are high in vitamin B6 to support the health of your nervous system. Some examples of foods that are high in vitamin B6 are:
- Sesame seeds
- Sunflower seed
- Green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli
- Garlic
- Hazelnuts
- Lean meat
- Avocado
- Fatty fish, such as salmon and cod
To prevent yourself from tingling, it's also best to keep moving and don't stay in one position for long periods of time. Make sure your blood circulates smoothly up to your feet.
What should I do when I am tingling?
When you start to feel the tingling sensation, one thing that you can immediately do easily is to change your position. Feel if your blood then flows to the tingling part of your body. With the flow of blood to the tingling part of the body, the nerves in that part of the body will receive the blood supply and then the tingling sensation will immediately disappear.
Apart from that, you can also massage your tingling feet or hands. Massage can also help improve your blood flow. If you experience frequent tingling sensations, you should consult your doctor. Maybe the doctor will give you medicine to improve your blood circulation.
