“The good news is that for most women, CTS resolves itself after birth once fluid levels regulate,” says Grant. However, if you’ve still got months to go before heading off on maternity leave or you’ve got another little person who requires lots of picking up and running about after, having sore wrists for months on end isn’t really an option. Below are Grant’s top tips for stopping symptoms from impacting your daily life ahead of giving birth.

Try wrist splints

Wearing a wrist splint at night can help keep the wrist in a neutral position, reducing pressure on the median nerve.

Schedule in regular hand and wrist mobility exercises

Gentle nerve glides, wrist stretches and grip-strengthening movements can help improve circulation and reduce stiffness.

Elevate your hands 

If swelling is significant, Grant recommends elevating your hands when resting to encourage fluid drainage. That might mean resting them on pillows while you’re watching the TV or having a bit of a stretch every hour when working.

Avoid excessive wrist flexion

If typing or using your phone makes symptoms worse, try adjusting your wrist position to keep it as neutral as possible (or use a keyboard wrist support).

Have a go at cold therapy

We’re not talking cold showers and sea swimming here, but simply applying an ice pack to the wrist for short periods to help reduce swelling.

Seek support if needed

If symptoms become severe or affect daily activities, it’s worth speaking to your GP and asking to be referred to a physiotherapist for further help.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is common during pregnancy – but why is that and how can we avoid sore wrists (especially at work)?