Pregnancy-Related Hand Swelling & Stiffness: Causes & Relief

Question
I am 37 weeks pregnant and every morning I get up my hands are swelled and my thumbs and wrists stiff and pop. It takes at least a couple hours for them to get back to normal. Even if I lay down on my left side for an hour in the afternoon my hand swell back up and start to hurt again. I've been tested for pre-eclampsia and the test come out negative. Is there anything I can do for my hands.

Answer
You may have "carpal tunnel syndrome" which is caused by swelling of the wrist (against the nerves and blood vessels). This can cause numbness and swelling of the hand and wrist. Often, shaking of your hand will help, or the wearing of a spint around your hand. It should disappear after the baby is born.