Pregnancy health

Minor health issues
Stretch marks | Weight gain | Morning sickness | Tiredness | Constipation | Swollen ankles and fingers

Serious health issues
Hyperemesis | High blood pressure and pre-eclampsia | Symphysis pubis dysfunction | Vaginal bleeding | Gestational diabetes

Cholestasis

Itchy belly? You're not alone. It's very common during pregnancy and happens because your skin's being stretched and is getting more blood to it than usual.

Despite its ubiquity, itching needs to be checked by your GP or midwife pronto because it can be a symptom of obstetric cholestasis, a liver condition that can have serious effects on you and your baby, and carries a risk of stillbirth.

"I had cholestasis that developed in my 31st week and had to be very closely monitored (daily hospital visits in the end). It can be serious if left undetected by with medical monitoring things should be fine. I had my baby five weeks early in the end because things started to get worse, so it was safer to get him out. From personal experience, I cannot stress enough the importance of getting any itching checked out." NannyJo

Unlike normal pregnancy itching, cholestasis makes the palms of your hands and soles of your feet itch, particularly at night, and can spread up your arms and legs.

"I itched like a loony from about 26 weeks...mostly on the soles of my feet and palms...but it would get worse at night and work its way up my legs. I'd scratch till I'd bleed some nights. The only cure for OC is to have your baby. My itching stopped the same day I had my son." Catoe

It usually occurs in the second or third trimester and is diagnosed by blood tests.

"I have just delivered a healthy baby girl after being diagnosed with OC at 37 weeks. There are two tests. Liver function and bile acids. The bile test is the important one, your other liver functions can be normal when the bile is raised, so getting the bile one done is important." Steppemum

Treatment may be with a drug called ursodeoxycholic acid, which can reduce the itchiness, improve liver function and reduce the risk of harm to your baby.

Minor health issues
Stretch marks | Weight gain | Morning sickness | Tiredness | Constipation | Swollen ankles and fingers

Serious health issues
Hyperemesis | High blood pressure and pre-eclampsia | Symphysis pubis dysfunction | Vaginal bleeding | Gestational diabetes