United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi everyone. It's been a few years since I've posted on these boards so I guess I should reintroduce myself. My name is Lisa & I'm 30yo. I was born in Albuquerque, NM & have LOBPI. I had one surgery when I was 10 to give my wrist movement & did PT til I was 12. That's my basic background. Now for why I'm visiting you all again.

I married 17 months ago & my hubby & I are expecting our first baby on Feb 15. My first question is just for moms. While you were pregnant did you ever suffer any abnormalties with your non OBPI arm. Mine, for the past week, has started going numb/pins-n-needles quite frequently from elbow to finger tips. At nights it's so bad it has been waking me up. Do you think this could be a pregnancy annoyance for me or just another joy of OBPI over use of the non OBPI arm? I've made an appt w/ my neurologist but can't get in until Feb 8. Now, a question for both moms & dads. What are ways you developed for yourself to help care for your child. I am unable to lift anything over 2lbs (have had that weight restriction since about 2000) so I'm naturally concerned about how I'm going to care for my child. I know as a parent I'll probably do lots of stuff my neurologist advises against, but I obviously shouldn't push it to far. Anyone have any great ways of doing some of those everyday baby tasks?

Thank you everyone for your guidance & advice.

Lisa

Hi Lisa,

Welcome back!
You are going to love the next issue of Outreach. We will have an article, our Straight Talk panel feature, that is an interview with four bpi mom's who share about what it like to be a mom with a bpi. So make sure you are on the mailing list (email me and I'll check -- nancy@ubpn.org).

Nancy Birk
UBPN President

Lisa, I am not BPI but can tell you that as parents you do alot of things that doctors tell you not to. I had a severly pulled muscle in my neck, They told me not to lift anything over ten pounds.....Yeah, right, I had three kids at the time, I couldn't see it happening. Well, all is well now, I just remembering trying my best to avoid any further strain. Good Luck !!! Gayle mom of four 18-14-9-7 ROBPI


Kath this ones for you. I know you can help her out.....you always do. I love to hear the stories about how you cared for your children.....BPI and all !!

Hi Lisa,

I'm not OBPI, but I've had carpal tunnel problems which were definitely exacerbated by my "swelling" in pregnancy. It sounds like you might have a nerve pinched in your elbow; perhaps it's always been "bordlerine" and now the advanced pregnancy fluid retention is finally pinching it off . I imagine it also is hard to find a comfortable position to sleep about now! Check your sleeping position on your arm and shoulder and see if you aren't torquing your shoulder, elbow or wrist in your sleep.

Kate

Lisa, I had the same problem during my pregnancy and I am not OBPI (I am a mom to a child with OBPI). They said it was nerve compression to do pregnancy related edema. I had numbness and LOUD buzzing and severe carpal tunnel pain. I got some relief by sitting my hand in water with ice believe it or not for a minute here and there. The doctor wanted to inject my wrists with cortisone but I wouldn't let him - but he did inject some lidocaine that wore off in a very short time. A month after my pregnancy when I could get back to his office, he finally injected me with cortisone and thank God for that!

Sleeping positioning is really important. I used one of those huge "U" shaped pillows. Also I had both my wrists in braces. Oh what a time of it. The only thing that kept me sane was counting the days!!

For afterwards, I have read on here that bathing the baby in a bucket works best - they actually make them now. here's a link - just google Tummy Tub to find where to get it in the U.S.
http://www.rockadrybaby.com/prod09.htm

Best of luck with your pregnancy and birth. Learn about uterine forward positions for your birth. It helps keep your pelvis as open as possible. Read the book "Active Birth" by Janet Balaskas. It will be helpful. She explains it very well.

About the pins and needles - one of my daughters when she was pregnant had this problem with both of her hands. It is supposedly carpal tunnel-like symptoms, which is thought to be due to excess fluid that causes pressure on the nerves. My daughter had most of her discomfort at night, but it went away right after delivery. Camille