Being pregnant leaves you feeling more alert and in tune with the different sensations that run through your body. From time to time, you may have concerns that plague your mind with ‘what if’s.’ The hardest part about pregnancy is fear of the unknown so when you begin to have belly numbness during pregnancy it can ignite those worries about whether something is wrong.
Belly Numbness During Pregnancy: What is it?
Having a numb belly during pregnancy is relatively common especially as you progress into the third trimester. Your body has stretched and grown with your baby but at the later end of your journey, nerves can still become compressed resulting in pins and needles or a lack of sensations. Numbness can also be a result of low Iron levels and you can also of course blame hormones.
The ‘Normal Pregnancy’
Belly numbness during pregnancy can not only be annoying but worrying. You go through the mirage of pregnancy you can bet your bottom dollar you will be flooded with advice about what’s normal during pregnancy. The truth is none of us experience the “normal” pregnancy.
This generic term is rather loosely mentioned as every woman has a unique journey and what we come to assume is our normal can be totally different from the woman next door.
Feelings relating to tingling or numbness can appear from nowhere but why? What causes these sensations and are they in the “normal” category?
Is Belly Numbness Normal?
Numbness in belly during pregnancy is one of those pesky symptoms of pregnancy. It is rarely anything to be concerned about according to Medline plus, the more your uterus expands the more pressure is put on your nerves.
Think of a hose pipe, when free water can flow quickly without any issue but put a kink or pressure on any part and your water pressure and flow decreases. This is the same for blood flow and nerve signals if pressure is applied.
The good news is once you deliver your bouncing baby all sensations are thought to come back.
Causes Of Belly Numbness During Pregnancy
After learning about the normality of numbness it helps us to understand why this can happen.
- Embracing Your New Shape
Over the past weeks, you have embraced your growing belly. Some women learn to love their new outie navel, whilst others are donning their loud and proud tiger stripes. Whichever way you feel about your new curvalicious bod, be it known that the bundle inside bouncing around has a lot to do with feeling numb.
Pressure on specific points can cause tingling, numbness, and, pins and needles.
- Hormones
They are responsible for sickness, headaches, and acne. Why shouldn’t they have a hand in the numbness show too?
The wondrous hormone Relaxin is responsible for loosening your ligaments and joints to support your growing uterus. With this flowing freely throughout your body you are more vulnerable to injury as your center of gravity shifts.
Ever noticed the pregnancy waddle? Well, I had it down to a fine art on both of my pregnancies and now I understand that posture imbalance can affect your nerves. Slouching or moving in abnormal ways, like arching your back, can pose a compression risk to any of your nerves resulting in loss of sensations.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
Losing feeling in your hands or fingers can signal CTS. Research has found that 62% of moms complain about the different feelings they experience in their hands and fingers during pregnancy. CTS occurs when nerves in the wrists become pinched which can be from swelling or retaining water. CTS can also leave you in radiating pain in your arms and wrists.
- Water Retention
Scientifically known as Peripheral Edema, swelling is caused by fluid gathering in your tissues. Water Retention can happen at any point in pregnancy but is most common toward the third trimester.
- Sciatica
The devil’s pain, as a sufferer myself the only way to describe this is a nagging ache and numbness around your hips, butt, and legs. The extra weight leaning on the sciatic nerve can compress the electrical current that signals our brain.
- Preeclampsia
This is a severe side effect of pregnancy and should be treated immediately. Preeclampsia can cause swelling to the entire body or pinpoint in one area. It can cause numbness but the more known telltale signs are high blood pressure, difficulty breathing, extreme nausea or vomiting, and dizzy spells.
- Gestational Diabetes
Tests are carried out to ensure your body is using its fuel in the best way possible. Diabetes can be dangerous and signs are generally tingling in limbs, excessive hunger or thirst, frequent trips to the loo, fatigue, and dizziness.
To be clear numbness can arise from numerous factors, the most likely being hormonal or body changes but if you are ever concerned seek advice for appropriate treatment and action.
How Can You Cope?
Feeling numb is not the most desirable symptom. It can leave you feeling irritated and uncomfortable. The feeling of clothing when you are experiencing numbness around the belly button during pregnancy is not something you have to just deal with.
Look at the following ways to help deal with the numbness.
- Long soak – a bath is the best medicine when pregnant. Basking in the hot soapy suds can take the pressure of those pinched and compressed nerves.
- Sleeping position – aim to sleep on your left side using a pregnancy pillow for support. Sleeping on your left prevents compression of the sciatic nerve. Avoid sleeping on your hands as this will intensify the compression of nerves and leave you feeling intense pins and needles alongside numbness.
- Pregnancy massage – this was a game changer in my second pregnancy. Having a trained masseuse work their magic on those overworked exhausted muscles is like a dream come true.
- Take a seat – when we are pregnant we take for granted that we can be offered someone’s seat if you’re on the bus or subway. Take it from me, standing for long periods can hinder those nerves leaving you with numbness when you least expect it. This is your body telling you that you need to take a load off.
Prevention Help
There are ways you can prevent the numbness feeling in your body. It isn’t always a result but helping your body through your final trimester can help the impact and pressure on your muscles, joints and nerves.
Take a look at the following:
- Healthy diet – eating for two is not the correct mindset. Maintain a healthy diet throughout pregnancy to reduce bloating and have a steady weight gain.
- Minimise prolonged repetitive activities – sitting, standing, it’s all about balance doing more of one can increase numbness the trick is to keep moving. Knitting and colouring can also increase the chances of CTS.
- Support your boobies – getting a correctly fitted maternity bra can be a game changer and take a load off the median nerve.
- Posture perfect – waddling and slouching is a learned action that you complete when you feel heavy. Maintaining a shoulders back and straight spine will help those numb areas spring back to life.
Wrapping Up
Even though we have concluded that belly numbness during pregnancy is a normal symptom of pregnancy we need to highlight that if numbness is presented after injury or coupled with swelling and dizziness you must seek a doctor’s advice.
Generally doctors will classify numbness as a non urgent concern and a symptom you can add to your list of sickness, nausea and headaches.
Try some of the preventative measures and soothing techniques to help you but if it’s a persistent issue always head for a checkup.
More to Read
- What Happens If You Don’t Eat Enough While Pregnant? – Surprising Facts
- Is My Baby Hungry When I’m Hungry During Pregnancy?
- Is It Bad To Not Take Prenatal Vitamins While Pregnant?
- It Feels Like Baby Is Shaking Inside Me! Is That Normal?
- Why Is My Pregnant Belly Soft When I Lay Down – What You Should Know
- Why Does My Pregnant Belly Look Smaller Some Days?
- Can You Crack Your Back While Pregnant – Is It Safe?
- Pregnant and Scared of Life Changing – Guide to Overcome
