Frequent Tingling When Pregnant: Is This Normal?

Medical Video: Is numbness and tingling normal in pregnancy

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 (feeling of burning in the upper part of the stomach), swollen legs, including tingling.

Tingling is commonly experienced by pregnant women. This may not cause harm, but can 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 in the legs and arms of pregnant women. Tingling is caused by reduced blood flow to certain parts of the body. Nerves in certain parts of the body also experience a lack of blood, preventing the nerves from sending important signals to the brain. This then makes the nerves 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 produced by the mother. Second, because the development of the fetus is getting bigger and heavier, which can also inhibit the mother's blood flow. Another reason is because the mother experiences low blood pressure, thereby reducing blood flow to certain parts of the body. This low blood pressure can occur when the blood volume is lower compared to the volume of blood vessels, usually occurs early in pregnancy.

The inhibition of blood flow usually occurs when you are in one position for a long time, such as too long sitting, too long standing in one place, and others. Therefore, it is recommended for pregnant women to move more so you avoid tingling.

Tingling 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 fluid buildup (edema) in the tissue on your wrist. Swelling due to this buildup of fluid will then suppress the nerves in your hands and fingers, so you will feel numbness and tingling.

You are more likely to experience CTS during pregnancy if you have offspring from your family, and also if you have problems with your back, neck and shoulders. CTS is also more likely to happen to you who experience excess weight gain, which can occur if you have more than one baby in the womb, obesity before pregnancy, or your breasts develop very large during pregnancy.

Be careful, tingling that lasts long can be a sign that you are suffering from diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes). It is best to consult your doctor immediately if you feel a 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 foods with balanced nutrition and regular exercise. Also, limit consumption of salt, gulam and oil, and drink lots of water.

You can also eat foods that contain high levels of vitamin B6 to support the health of your nervous system. Some examples of foods that contain high vitamin B6 are:

Sesame seeds
Sunflower seed
Green leafy vegetables, like broccoli
Garlic
Hazelnut
Lean meat
Avocado
Fatty fish, like salmon and cod

To avoid you from tingling, you should also keep moving and not be in one position for a long time. Make sure your blood circulation flows smoothly to your feet.

What should I do when I am tingling?

When you feel the tingling, one thing you can do easily is to change your position. Feel whether then your blood flows to the tingling part of the body. With the flow of blood to the tingling parts of the body, the nerves in that part of the body will receive a blood supply and then the sensation of tingling will disappear.

In addition, you can also massage your foot or tingling hands. Massage can also help smooth your blood flow. If you often experience tingling, you should consult your doctor. Maybe the doctor will give medication to facilitate your blood circulation.

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