'Lego hands' is a pregnancy symptom not enough people talk about

There’s no shortage of creative nicknames for pregnancy’s more surprising symptoms ― from “lightning crotch” to “baby brain.” But one term that’s been making the internet rounds is particularly quirky: “Lego hands.” 

While it may sound like a playful exaggeration, anyone who has experienced it knows it’s a rather accurate description for the inflexible hands many pregnant people develop. 

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“Lego hands are a new and creative way of referring to the look and feel of swollen, rigid and numb fingers, joint stiffness, pain and the pins and needles discomfort experienced during pregnancy,” Dr. Sherry Ross, an obstetrician-gynecologist, author and co-host of the “Pair-a-Docs Podcast,” told HuffPost.

“When medical terms like carpal tunnel syndrome and hand edema make little sense of common, yet disruptive symptoms of pregnancy, women come up with more relatable names and descriptions better suited for what is going on.”

With Lego hands, your fingers may feel particularly stiff, achy or difficult to bend in the mornings after you wake up. For most who experience this, it’s just a typical part of pregnancy. 

“Pregnancy is a very dynamic state, and many things pop up during that time,” said Dr. Christine Carlan Greves, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Orlando Health. “Carpal tunnel syndrome limits the motion of the hands and causes a tingling because ... the swelling that occurs in pregnancy can result in limited mobility. People may have a better understanding of it when they compare it to Lego hands.”

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Both Greves and Ross emphasized that swelling in pregnancy is completely normal and expected. 

“If you think about it, your body produces 50% more blood volume and other body fluids that help in the growth and development of the baby,” Ross explained. “All this extra fluid gets pushed out of the bloodstream and moves into surrounding tissue, causing edema in the hands and fingers. Intense and persistent swelling in the hands create disruptive symptoms of wrist and joint stiffness, numbing with pins and needles sensation and pain.”

While additional fluid circulates throughout the body, it may appear most obvious in the hands, legs, feet and face. 

“Compressed nerves and softened ligaments in the hands and wrist are negatively impacted, leading to painful symptoms,” Ross said. “It’s most noticeable after 28 weeks as you enter the third trimester of pregnancy.”

Greves referred to “third spacing,” a medical term for fluid that collects outside the blood vessels. 

“That’s what causes the swelling. It is due to the hormones,” she said. 

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For most people with Lego hands, that stiffness, swelling and pain in the wrists, hands and fingers is an uncomfortable but normal part of pregnancy. That said, there are certain symptoms that may warrant further medical attention. 

“Occasionally if these symptoms occur suddenly, along with swelling in the feet and face, these can be an early symptom of high blood pressure of pregnancy, also known as preeclampsia,” Ross said. “If swelling of the hands, feet and face occurs with headache, blurry vision, seeing black spots and pain in your right upper abdomen, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately.” 

Greves also recommended being mindful of broader trends around your hand stiffness and pain. 

“If you have a bad headache, if the swelling is sudden, if you’re feeling sick or have elevated blood pressure, then you need to be concerned about preeclampsia,” she said. “If the swelling is not bilateral and only on one of the legs and there’s pain, it could be a blood clot or a deep vein thrombosis.”

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Pay attention to symptoms that persist or worsen over time as well.  

“The good news is Lego hands symptoms should improve within weeks after delivery,” Ross said, adding that she can’t overemphasize the “importance in understanding the difference between expected discomfort of pregnancy versus genuine warning signs of something worse, with potentially catastrophic results. Know your body and don’t be afraid to bring up any concerning and disruptive symptoms with your healthcare provider.”

The good news is there are practical steps you can take to manage Lego hands and find some relief.

“Body mechanics and lifestyle choices go a long way if you are experiencing Lego hands in pregnancy,” Ross said. “Keeping your wrists in a neutral, straight position, especially at night, is helpful. Wearing a wrist splint can make this an easy comfort choice. Avoid sleeping on the side of your most affected hand, if possible. During the daytime, avoid letting your arm [hang] down by your side for long periods of time and keep your hands moving to avoid fluid buildup.”

She recommended ice packs, cold water soaks and compression wraps to help reduce swelling as well. Cutting back on salty foods may help with fluid retention overall. 

“Hand exercises ― including making a fist and then spreading your fingers wide, moving your wrist forward and backward and bending and straightening your elbow throughout the day ― keeps the fluid moving in your hands,” Ross added. “Gentle massage from the fingertips upward while your hand is elevated helps provide some symptomatic relief.”

For cases of carpal tunnel and worsening symptoms around that condition, physical therapy can help, too. 

If you’re unsure what’s driving your symptoms, Greves suggested taking stock of how you’re feeling overall.

“Check your blood pressure and analyze how you feel,” she said. “If you feel differently, how are you feeling? Headache? Elevated blood pressure? Have you tried a brace? Experienced this before? If you have a history of this in your previous pregnancy, you may be more prepared to experience this again.”

Don’t minimize concerning symptoms and keep your medical team in the loop.  

“Always keep your doctor aware of what’s going on,” Greves said. “Remember, in pregnancy, as one ages, the risk increases. So if you did not have Lego hands in the first pregnancy and have Lego hands in the second or third pregnancy, bring it up.”