swollen fingers post-pregnancy

I gave birth to a healthy baby girl 8 weeks ago. I am currently 11 stones and I need to lose 1.5 stones to return to my pre-pregnancy weight. Unfortunately, I have been unable to wear my wedding ring since before giving birth as my fingers were swollen. I suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome during the pregnancy and assumed that my swollen fingers would disappear after the birth. As they have not, I am assuming that it is water retention. Could you please tell me the best way to ensure that my fingers return to normal. [/list][/b]

WOULD SOMEONE ANSWER MY Q - REALLY ANXIOUS!! Thanks

I would love for someone to answer your question, too. I am more than a year post-pregnancy and the swelling in my fingers has never gone away. I am unable to wear my engagement ring, and can only wear my wedding band because it was always a size too big anyway. My doctors have no answers, either, with all my bloodwork always normal. My finger joints are consistently swollen and the last portions of my fingers feel sore and a little stiff--a swollen sensation--when laying down and sleeping during the night. If anyone has any suggestions, we would be really appreciative!!! Do your doctors think it is a continution of carpal tunnel????

I am glad to hear that I'm not alone - I had to remove my wedding band and engagement ring when I was about 8 months pregnant and I assumed that my swelling would go down after giving birth - but my baby girl was born 5 weeks ago (healthy and beautiful - praise God) but my fingers are still very swollen - the only time I get a little relief is first thing in the morning. As the day goes on - my fingers just get more swollen. I have tried wearing my rings again but keep getting a rash and pain as my fingers swell and having to practically rip my knuckle off to get the rings back off - I am at a loss. Wondering if I should have my rings resized or just wait it out a few more weeks...

I too had my baby 4 weeks ago and also suffered carpal tunnel when i was pregnant. I had to take my engagement ring off when i was about 6 months pregnant and still cannot get it back on. I am beginning to panic now as i am getting married in 9 weeks!!!

I have finally been able to wear my ring again. I believe it can be accredited to medication for hypothyroidism. I was diagnosed this past summer and within one week of the medication, I lost three pounds and began wearing my ring again. I was in the very early stages, so most doctors probably would not have suspected anything from the normal bloodwork; but my fertility specialist wanted to re-run the thyroid because it was slightly higher than they would like it to be when trying to conceive again and then the numbers were elevated and I was referred to the endocrinologist. I still have symptoms when I lay down to sleep/get up in the morning; but I felt much better (like I did before pregnancy again!) and I've happily been wearing my rings 24 hours a day. Just thought I'd let you all know in case it helps someone. I was never diagnosed with carpal tunnel, so perhaps your situations are different. Good luck!

Interesting topic, I have had swollen fingers ever since I was 8 months pregnant with my first child (3 yrs ago). I just had my second one and my fingers are still swollen. I am just going to get it resized. My health seems to be ok. Since everything was checked before and after rpegnancy. I don't have a clue as to why we get swollen fingers. I hope to find out some day.

I just broke down and got my rings re-sized. My fingers never returned to normal.

ugh, me too. 5 weeks since having her now and i still can't get my engagement ring past my knuckle. it's bizarre.

I am 37 weeks and getting married in July ............ my fingers are sore and hard to bend. Please tell me there is a quick fix to helping my fingers go back to normal

I think the relaxin can make you joints bigger which means you'll probably need to get your rings resized.