First of all, thanks a lot for replying in the past as well. Your advice was excellent.

This is my 24th week running. Since, 5th month:

1) I got big time pain in my wrists and hands especially the right(particularly all the fingers except from the pinky) one remains numb 24/7. I went to the neuroligist, he said that for sure I have the Capal Tunnel Syndrom, which I know I have it from the past two years, but did not think that it would aggravate like this. I can't do much movements with my thumb, like handling heavy cup of tea, pulling car seat belt...etc. Neuro suspects either tendinitis/rheumatoid arth (my mom got RA, when she was 28 after the delivery. Doc can't do much b/c of pregnancy. I have so much stiffness you know in the morning, it disrupts my sleep, i can't make fist, just the right hand, but both hands burn like heat, and I get tingling sensation as well. I have bought the splints, but I am scared to eat one Tylenol daily. Any advice?

2)I still struggle from the constipation or I don't know what it is. If I don't take my prenatal, I go 6-7times daily, not exagerating at all. Some days I struggle with my bowel movements? I read somewhere that straining like this can weeken the pelvic musles? Sometimes when I go the restroom, I feel drop by drop coming...sometimes my panty lining is moistened. When I am getting up from the bed/sofa...I bet it is my pelvic bone/muscle that hurts...?? I told my docs office, but no phone call yet and today I am flying for week. Just makes me little worried you know.

3) my right foot especially swells like a little rectangle box. I try to keep it elevated as much as possible, but it makes a little difference. My doc here tells me not to drink a lot of water. I don't even drink 5 glasses of water a day, so I thought to consult you.

4) I feel baby movements at the bottm of my tummy, way below the belly button...is that okay? At 25 weeks where exactly the baby should be? Little below...? If it is a silly question...sorry skip it. Just curiosity sometimes...:).

Thanks a lot...you answer a lot of questions .... and it not only helps us, but makes us feel better indeed!

TA replied. Hi gauri,

I am from the Sept board. I write because only last week two ladies joined in my yoga class due to their carpal tunnel problem. The teacher was saying that aggravation or a new case of CTS is a known problem of pregnancy. It is due to the fetus pressing a nerve which serves the wrist area (median nerve??). But sounds like you are in terrible pain due to the pre-existing problem. Since they don't want to try medication, can the doctor recommend some physio therapy to ease the pain? I am sorry if this no help at all.

I smiled when I saw your comment \";rectangular box\";. I have had swelling since week 22 and the only thing which helps is drinking atleast 10 cups of water a day in addition to milk, juice etc. My doc recommended especially due to the summer months. But I am not a doctor or qualified to know your particular case, so Archie will be the best judge.

I hope that you will find a solution to your problems. Take care, TA archie replied. Gauri,
1. Lets hope you don't develop RA at this early age and that soon after childbirth things will fall right with ref. to your numbness of right hand.
I am a little concerned on your statment that you feel heat and tingling sensation in hands, not only in right but both hands. I would ask do you also feel heat in sole (bottom of your foot) and other parts but it's not a fever. If you answer yes, then have you checked your TSH levels, may be in first trimester, request one blood test to know if it's not related to thyroid and is completely neurological -unfortunately you won't get treated while pregnant for this latter cause.

2. do you mean bowel movements? those are 6-7 when you do not take prenatals? Thats quite surprising. Let me ask you do you mean if you take prenatals then motions are on control or don't have them at all for some days. Without knowing this I may not be able to shed any light -Gauri.

3. Your right foot swelling might have to do with numbness in right hand. I hope your OB has considered possibility that due to less intake of fluids you are not going to suffer more BHC or not going to have abdominal pain or vaginal dryness. May be you should get a look at baby sometime around 30th week to know amniotic fluid and fetal development.

4. baby movements at low for some are very normal even in their 30th week. Your baby is expected to be above naval line but if it's active can be felt in lower part as well, mainly because there is space for baby to swim in uterus.

archie