Itching all over, should I worry?

[theaveragebear1983]

Hi all,
I'm 17 weeks and for the last few weeks I have been pretty itchy all over. The last few days it's really cranked up a notch and I'm starting to feel concerned. It's my 3rd pregnancy and i've not had this kind of thing before. Also, I seem to be itchy in 'non stretchy' areas like my scalp, arms and back etc. Last night I scratched my previous c-section scar so much I made it really sore. Obviously, as soon as I think about itching, I feel my skin crawling so it's quite a vicious circle but I'm starting to be concerned. It isn't there all day just gets Gradually worse during evening. Any suggestions?

[Christelle2207]

Hi. I think you should see gp or mw asap- I have heard of this in pregnancy and it definitely indicates some condition (that could affect you more than baby I think). I know two mums that had it, both babies turned out fine though.

[FFS1970]

Don't worry but get to your MW quickly for a blood test. It may be linked to liver performance. I had in both pregnancies which were fine if a little shorter than usual. They may need to monitor you.

[Justusemyname]

Yes. You could have Obstetric Cholestasis

This is not harmful to you but fatal for the baby if not treated. You need a blood test.

[Justusemyname]

here

[CoperCabana]

As everyone says, please get checked out.

I had crazy itching in my second pregnancy and unfortunately still have it three years on and it seems to be something hormonal but I had all the blood tests to be sure as a friend had OC with tragic circumstances.

[theaveragebear1983]

Thanks everyone, I will ring mw tomorrow.

[Justusemyname]

Have you phoned, OP?

[TakesTwoToTango]

Just to ease any panic from just post (that I'm sure she didn't intend!) you should get checked for oc but even if it is diagnosed as that, it is not necessary fatal for the baby!

It is good to get treated as it makes you more comfy and helps to minimise any potential risks to baby. Hospitals used to routinely induced at 37/38 weeks due to a concern that oc increased the risk of stillbirth, but actually recent studies have called into question whether there is any such link, so the decision to induce or not may depend on many factors including blood results and how uncomfy mum is. That said, by the time you reach 38 weeks+ baby is pretty much cooked and often mums with oc are fed up of the itching, so lots of hospitals and mums to be will still take view that better out than in at that stage. Up until then there are treatments they can give to reduce the itching and improve the mum's blood bile salt levels (urso and sometimes antihistamines).

Having said all that, your itching may not have anything at all to do with liver function as there are many other (mostly harmless) causes of itching in pregnancy (and oc is pretty unusual before the third trimester).

Good luck!

[Justusemyname]

Untreated it is fatal and tbf id rather scare someone to get treatment than say nothing and they lose a baby. Better to be wrong and they are checked than right and silent with devastating consequence.

[TakesTwoToTango]

just did you read my post?? There is (inconclusive) concern that untreated it may increase the risk of stillbirth. That is far from being the same as saying that untreated it is fatal, which implies death in all untreated cases. I understand and appreciate your concern, and the op has said she is going to speak to her mw, but please don't terrify vulnerable pregnant women reading this board unnecessarily with inaccurate posts.

TTTT (mother of a perfectly heathy toddler born after pregnancy with oc that went undiagnosed until 40 weeks).

[TakesTwoToTango]

Cross-posts with enviousllama

[TakesTwoToTango]

And llama the oc didn't recur in my second pg so fingers crossed its the same for you. Good luck!

[Justusemyname]

Taken from the British liver trust

"Several fetal complications have been reported in OC pregnancies. There is an increased risk of preterm delivery (both spontaneous and induced) and fetal distress. Some case studies have also reported stillbirth occurring near the end of pregnancy in women with OC2. Therefore it is essential that the condition is recognised and treated in time."

[Justusemyname]

I had OC. My child was not breathing when he was born. I don't want anyone else to go through that.

Good luck, op.

[TakesTwoToTango]

I'm sorry for what must have been an horrid experience just I hope the medics were able to resuscitate quickly as successfully and he/she has suffered no lasting effects.

If you don't mind my asking (and please forgive me if you do), did the medics attribute his/her difficulties at birth to the oc? Where you receiving treatment? I ask as I'm currently pg with dc3 and like llama have to consider what to do if the oc recurs this time around.

[Justusemyname]

There were a series of events and it is pure luck my child is alive tbh.

Bad care from a midwife who threw away the necessary trace.
Test results not deemed urgent.
Movements reduced deemed irrelevant.
My tears = neurotic mum so sent home.
Undiagnosed Polyhydromnious.

Baby flat on delivery.
Drugs given.
Tubes down throat which showed another problem.
X Ray at minutes old. Not allowed to feed him. Didn't see him for ages.
Three days of expecting him to die. No one bothered to tell me he was okay.

I'll never know why he wasn't coping but hopefully mine is just a weird occurrence and everyone else will be fine.

Listen to your instincts. Don't be fobbed off. This is your baby, not theirs. They don't have to live with the consequences. I was incredibly lucky as my baby could have died because a midwife decided I was over reacting. I was very lucky another midwife and sonographer looked at the facts rather than the emotion.