Why Does My Thumb Hurt When I Lift My Baby? Understanding De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

A ProVital Physiotherapy Guide

Many new parents notice an unexpected ache in their hands, wrists, or thumbs after welcoming their little one. At first, it might seem like just part of adjusting to parenthood. But if lifting, cradling, or feeding your baby causes sharp pain at the base of your thumb, it could be De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, sometimes called “Mother’s hand syndrome.”

What Is De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis?

This condition causes pain and inflammation in the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist. It involves irritation of the tendon sheath around two key tendons—abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis—which help move your thumb. When inflamed, even simple thumb or wrist movements can trigger sharp pain.

What Does It Feel Like?

• Pain or tenderness near the base of the thumb

• Swelling around the wrist

• Difficulty gripping or pinching

• Pain that worsens with thumb or wrist movement

• A catching or snapping sensation in the thumb

  
  

If this sounds familiar, you’re definitely not alone—many new parents and active people experience the same issues.

Why You? Why Now?

The condition often develops from repetitive hand and wrist motions, such as:

• Lifting with the thumb extended (like holding a baby or groceries)

• Frequent texting or smartphone use

• Prolonged computer work

• Sports involving wrist motion (badminton, golf)

• Hormonal changes during pregnancy or breastfeeding

  
  

These everyday stresses make it especially common among new parents, office workers, and active individuals.

The good news is, in many cases, you can often ease symptoms with some simple self-care as below. Most people feel better within a few weeks, especially if they start early.

1. Rest: Avoid activities that worsen pain, like heavy lifting or repetitive thumb movements.
   

2. Ice: Apply a cold pack for 10–15 minutes several times a day to reduce inflammation.
   

3. Support: Wearing a soft wrist or thumb brace helps relieve strain during daily tasks.
   

4. Gentle movement: Once pain decreases, gentle stretching and light strengthening can restore function.
   

5. Ergonomics: Pay attention to how you lift, hold, and carry things—small adjustments can help a lot.

Can You Prevent It?

While not always avoidable, you can lower your risk by:

• Scooping your baby from under the bottom instead of lifting with your thumbs out

• Taking breaks from prolonged phone use

• Setting up an ergonomic workspace if you work at a computer

• Doing gentle stretching and strengthening exercises—your physiotherapist can guide you

When to See a Physiotherapist?

If your thumb or wrist pain won’t go away, keeps returning, or interferes with daily activities like lifting, typing, or holding your phone, it’s time to get it checked out. A physiotherapist can diagnose the issue and guide you through the right treatment plan to heal fully and avoid long-term problems.

Don’t let pain hold you back—book a session at ProVital Physio, Taman Desa. Our team is here to help you move easier, feel stronger, and get back to the things you love—pain-free.

References:

1. Goel, R., & Abzug, J. M. (2014). De Quervain’s tenosynovitis: A review of the rehabilitative options. Hand, 10(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11552-014-9649-3 

2. Satteson, E., & Tannan, S. C. (2023, November 22). De quervain tenosynovitis. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK442005/ 

3. Spicer, P. J., Thompson, H. K., & Montgomery, J. R. (2022). Mommy’s thumb: De Quervain’s tenosynovitis in a new mother with cardiomyopathy. Radiology Case Reports, 17(11), 4368–4370. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radcr.2022.08.069