tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1195788236766051950.post570063734644213244..comments2023-10-19T11:26:13.754+01:00Comments on Bump2Basics: Random Musings From an American Mom in London: Numb Hands, Warm WordsTanya (Bump2Basics)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11190613569079236305noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1195788236766051950.post-3727497481517395222009-12-14T15:06:15.383+00:002009-12-14T15:06:15.383+00:00Thank you! Here's one I've found: http://...Thank you! Here's one I've found: http://academicobgyn.com/2009/12/03/delayed-cord-clamping-should-be-standard-practice-in-obstetrics/Cherylynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1195788236766051950.post-68104408177003829282009-12-14T14:33:03.575+00:002009-12-14T14:33:03.575+00:00Cherylyn, great tips, I will definitely try both o...Cherylyn, great tips, I will definitely try both of these tactics in hopes of keeping the numbness at bay. Fortunately my symptoms haven't been too terrible but just more annoying. I woke up yesterday without any tingles but today they were back.<br /><br />I understand the pec stretch you described and can see how that may help open up the area to blood flow. <br /><br />This weekend my friends also suggested some light arm massage (starting with at the wrist with palm facing up and applying light pressure up the arm to mid-bicep, trying to stimulate the lymph nodes) as well as stretching back each finger with my palm facing up, then tensing my fingers like claws and lastly wringing out my hands. So I've got an arsenal of techniques to try out :)<br /><br />As for cord clamping in the UK, I'll have to look into this. They do regularly offer women a managed third stage after which the cord is directly clamped, however women are given the option of a natural thrid stage and in this case I imagine they might not clamp the cord right away. My midwife said at my home birth I can have a natural third stage, however she will have an injection at the ready just in case. I'm seeing her Friday so I'll have a word with her about this.<br /><br />I did pull this article off the My Best Birth site. It's a bit older, but makes a case for delaying cord clamping and might help with your research: <br />http://www.midwifeinfo.com/articles/cord-clamping--please-waitTanya (Bump2Basics)https://www.blogger.com/profile/11190613569079236305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1195788236766051950.post-42416982778402496712009-12-11T14:44:55.266+00:002009-12-11T14:44:55.266+00:00These aren't from any book, just from my own p...These aren't from any book, just from my own personal experience. I get tingly fingers and hands during pregnancy, sometimes so bad that it wakes me from a dead sleep. Altering my sleep position has helped. I usually sleep on my side, causing my shoulders to roll forward, impinging the nerves in my shoulders, especially the one I'm sleeping on. I started opening up my shoulders so I would sleep on my chest instead of my shoulder, and would help keep those muscles and nerves stretched out and open to blood flow. It took some adjusting to make myself comfortable, like figuring out where to put my arms and how to not put too much pressure on the growing belly, but it helped a lot with the circulation problem and I found that overall it was more comfortable for me than side-lying. <br /><br /><br />I also used some stretches to stretch out the pec muscles and help improve circulation. My husband is a massage therapist and he taught me one that you do against the wall. I hope I can describe it adequately. While standing, you put the front of your shoulder against the wall, with your arm 90 degrees from your body, flat against the wall. You will probably have to turn your head to the side and allow your cheek to be up against the wall. Very slowly move your arm along the wall, up, and then down, and repeat as many times as you'd like. It also helps to alternate with your arm straight and with the elbow bent at a 90 degree angle. It stretches various muscles in the pec and shoulder area and helps open up the area for the nerves and blood vessels. I hope this makes sense!<br /><br />I believe the book Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn also has a section about what you can do for numbness and tingling. Good luck!<br /><br />On a completely different note, where do you stand on cord clamping? Do they practice delayed clamping in the UK, or do they clamp and cut the cord immediately like most in the US do? I'm working on a blog post about it, and I thought of you for some reason.Cherylynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10683110268816902044noreply@blogger.com