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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

My bump is SO itchy! It's nothing sinister is it?

20 replies

Jojay · 11/05/2011 21:46

I'm 27+5 with twins so I'm pretty massive already.

My bump is bright red and itching like mad and has been for a few days.

I'm assuming it's because it's stretched so much so quickly, but there's nothing else it could indicate could it?

it was never like this with singletons....Grin

OP posts:
TheOriginalFAB · 11/05/2011 21:47

Get yourself checked for obstetric cholesasis.

sarahbeth2 · 11/05/2011 21:55

I have awful itches too, but only bump and boobs so am assuming its the stretching as its not hand and feet etc. Its not bright red though although is if i scratch it lots!

domesticslattern · 11/05/2011 22:01

what the original FAB said.

Blobby11 · 11/05/2011 22:01

Mine was really itchy and it turned out I had a fungal infection Blush so best to get yourself to the doctors just in case!

sarahbeth2 · 11/05/2011 22:03

oo now im paranoid now, perhaps ill ask too :)

greencaveman · 11/05/2011 22:03

Yes, get checked for obstetric cholestasis. It's just a blood test (liver function) and I had it with both my singletons. For this reason, they were induced at 37 weeks, all fine. It goes away once you deliver.

Original poster
Jojay · 11/05/2011 22:03

I've just looked up OC, and as you say Sarah, that seems to apply more to hands and feet, and i don't have any other symptoms, so hopefully it's not that. I'm seeing hte midwife on Mon thogh, so I might mention it.

It's probably only bright red 'cos I keep scratching it. I'm trying not to, but it's soooooooo itchy!

OP posts:
TheOriginalFAB · 11/05/2011 22:05

If you are not going to see the midwife until Monday I recommend you keep a close eye on the baby's movements.

nunnie · 11/05/2011 22:07

Sorry to GC, with OC, can it be all over to the point where you want to rip your skin off? I get it bump, face, arms lags, feet, hands. Also I am only 21 weeks is it too early. I have just been putting it down to tiredness maybe I should request a test.

nannyl · 11/05/2011 22:08

was reading last night in one of my pg books, that extreme itching in pregnancy can be a sign of something serious and needs checking ASAP

nunnie · 11/05/2011 22:10

Should say mine does come and go, and tends to come more in the evenings that is why I linked it to being tired really.

jellycat · 11/05/2011 22:12

I think you should contact your midwife about this. Hopefully it's not OC since as you say the symptoms are not right. But best to check.

I had a condition called PUPPP in the late stages of my second pg. This is pregnancy-related urticaria (nettle rash) which is very red and itchy, and occurs on your bump and on thighs and forearms. It could be that. Unfortunately if it is, there's not much you can do except use Piriton to calm the itching. I also used E45 itch relief cream. Have a look at some images of PUPPP online. PUPPP is unpleasant but not dangerous for baby or mother.

jellycat · 11/05/2011 22:16

Just saw you are thinking of waiting till Monday. I would ring them tomorrow if I were you. Not trying to worry you, it's just best to be on the safe side.

MissCKitty · 12/05/2011 10:16

My bump was the same, get to Holland and Barret and get their aloe vera gel. Its marvellous stuff, cools and moisturises the skin to reduce the itch. And its 99.9% pure so no nasties x

BooBooGlass · 12/05/2011 10:23

As everyone has said it is worth seeing a doctor. But I went to a doctor because of this in my first pregnancy and she prescribed a steroid cream which I didn't realise at the time would thin the skin. i think it's the reason i got such horrendous stretch marks and wish I could go back and not use it :( Get something nice to rub into it, and leave the skin uncovered at home would be my advice.

jellycat · 12/05/2011 12:29

BooBoo, I too was prescribed a steroid cream for a rash on my bump, which I think was what gave me stretch marks (didn't have any from 1st pg and if anything was bigger 1st time round). Luckily not too bad. The cream was for a severe allergic reaction to my support belt, which happened a few weeks before I developed PUPPP. Both hideously itchy! Unfortunately the allergy wouldn't respond to moisturizing creams alone so I didn't have much choice.

OP, hope you have managed to speak to doctor/midwife today.

PrincessScrumpy · 12/05/2011 12:34

I would get it checked out but it's likely to be just stretching skin and extra blood flow - I used bio oil and massage it in (or get dh to do it)

TheOriginalFAB · 12/05/2011 17:36

No one can say what it is "likely" to be. You need yourself checked out by a medic.

Original poster
Jojay · 13/05/2011 23:08

The itching has calmed down a lot in the last day or two. i think wearing looser clothing has helped, combined with lots of moisuriser.

I'll still mention it to the mw on Monday, but it's feeling much much better.

Thanks for all your replies Smile

OP posts:
bettyboo83 · 17/05/2011 00:37

I got really bad itching at about 25 weeks. I saw the doc and was tested for OC which was negative. Doc prescribed me an emollient cream called DoubleBase which was fantastic and calmed everything down straight away - ask for it when you next see someone Smile

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