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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Can I do anything about this whole body itching?

31 replies

otchayaniye · 21/06/2011 20:37

31 weeks pregnancy, had some itching in first pregnancy but this time it's something else. All over the body and constant. Bicarb baths, calamine etc and plain lotion not helping.

I have heard of taking benadryl and will speak to midwife, but in the meatime, anything that has helped you?

OP posts:

MardyBra · 21/06/2011 20:39

link here A friend of mine had this and it was quite serious. I would get it checked out asap.

Good luck.

Original poster

otchayaniye · 21/06/2011 20:47

Thanks Mardy, but I do regular urine collections for preeclampsia and see a consultant or midwife every two weeks and they've not mentioned this. But I will ask (and had come across this and was aware) next week.

I think it's normal itching, just on the bad side of normal!

Plus no itching at all on palms and soles of feet. And I feel well in myself.

OP posts:

MardyBra · 21/06/2011 20:50

I'm not an expert - just saw your post and thought about my friend who had to be treated urgently. Maybe someone who knows more will come along soon.

Good luck with sorting it out and the rest of your pregnancy.

Original poster

otchayaniye · 21/06/2011 21:28

Cheers -- I really appreciate it and will ask. Hope your friend was ok in the end.

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tidybaby · 21/06/2011 21:39

Not to frighten you, but I had OC in my first pregnancy (ended up being induced because of it), and I didn't have itching on hands/feet, just my bump. If I remember correctly, it was picked up via blood test (but it was a long-ish time ago so my memory may be skewed). So I'd definitely get it checked out if I were you.

JarethTheGoblinKing · 21/06/2011 21:40

please please get yourself checked out first thing in the morning.

timetosmile · 21/06/2011 21:43

Please get yourself to your GP's tomorrow, and take an early morning wee sample too.
You may need blood taking to check the way your liver is working....don't stay up all night worrying(!) it's a really common annoyance in pregnancy, but you do need to rule out some more uncommon but more serious problems before just heading for the anti-itch stuff!

Heathcliffscathy · 21/06/2011 21:44

you need your bloods taken for a liver function test. really, please get this ruled out, the risk to the fetus can be minimised if you get medication and get your bile acids down as early as poss. also if it is OC, they will want to induce you, please PM me if it is as there are hospitals and consultants that take a much more conservative approach then others. they wanted to induce me at 33 weeks, but i found a consultant who would go to nearly 38 and ds2 came on his own (after loads of acupuncture and reflexology at 37.4 :)

get a blood test tho, just for peace of mind.

MardyBra · 21/06/2011 23:20

Otch. Yes my friend was fine in the end but agree with the others who say get yourself checked out. Let us know how you get on.

Original poster

otchayaniye · 22/06/2011 00:13

Thanks, I'm early tomorrow but will cal the midwife and go in later for tests. Blimey, just over the hump with preeclampsia and growth scan worries -- now this. Sigh (itch)

Itching is common though, isn't it

OP posts:

JarethTheGoblinKing · 22/06/2011 00:21

It IS common but it's always something that needs checking..

you'll most likely be fine, but it does need checking

(sorry, I think you've probably got the message now )

Meglet · 22/06/2011 00:22

It can be v.serious. Please do it first thing. Sod work and call the midwife / gp / ante-natal ward. Don't leave it until the end of the day.

I never itched in either pregnancy, but my bump didn't itch when it stretched so maybe I'm an un-itchy person.

JarethTheGoblinKing · 22/06/2011 00:23

Oh lordy, I itched like crazy, but it was all stretchmarks.

If you skin if itching with no reason it is most likely OC and you need a LFT.

MardyBra · 22/06/2011 17:38

bump.

Did you get checked out OP?

nicolamumof3 · 22/06/2011 18:39

ok how bad does the itching have to be?? My bump is seriously itchy im constantly scratching! but nowhere else on body particularly..im 36+4.

Blobby11 · 22/06/2011 18:48

I've had this - itching all over, especially on my bump, but not on my palms and feet.

My GP diagnosed a fungal skin infection on my bump and prescribed some steroid cream for it which cleared it up.

She said the itching on the rest of my body was caused by dryness. I tried E45 which didn't work but then she recommended Aveeno cream which was really good. You can get it without prescription but may as well get your GP to prescribe while you get free prescriptions!

QueeferSutherland · 22/06/2011 18:58

Bump itching is perfectly normal.

All over or hand & feet itching can be very serious.

Give the labour ward a bell tonight.

Original poster

otchayaniye · 22/06/2011 20:02

Hi. Well, I had a bad night (didn't fall asleep until 2am and then uncharacteristically daughter woke and wouldn't sleep for four hours!!) so by wake up time of 5.45 am I'd had one hour's sleep.

Did half a day's work and went straight off to maternal assessment unit and saw midwives for traces etc, bloods done, urine done (just did all this with the preeclampsia doc on Monday....) and waited another 2-1/2 hours for a doc, who prescribed piriton for now (never picked it up as after 5 hours at the hospital I was 'itching' to get home) and told me to call for blood results tomorrow.

So 5 hours in a hot airless corridor in Kings for an inconclusive result. Yarghhhhh. Funnily enough, a woman saw me itching and asked me if I had OC as she had it too.

In fact the only itching I don't have is hands and feet. I have no other OC symptoms.

I'll lt you know what they say. But huge thanks to all for prompting me to go. I had searched and had come across it but kind of poo poohed it as symptoms were slightly different.

I did itch in my previous pregnancy but I also had preeclampsia and had my daughter at 36/37 weeks so maybe I got her out in time and it never came to this, but I could have had it?

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LadyPeterWimsey · 22/06/2011 20:09

I had itching with Ds1 - it was utterly hideous but turned out to be nothing sinister. Which was some consolation given I was up every two hours all night sitting in a cold bath. I eventually took the Piriton and it subsided after a few days. When it started to return with in the next pregnancy, I took the Piriton instantly and it never took hold in the same way.

Huge sympathy - it is awful.

TheOriginalFAB · 22/06/2011 20:11

Mine was very mild but I still nearly lost DS. Please keep an eye on the baby's movements and chase up the test results.

Original poster

otchayaniye · 24/06/2011 10:17

All my tests have come back fine (including preeclampsia bloods and urine) so phew. Still itching like a bastard and not sure if piriton is really taking the edge off.

That said, I meet a consultant or a midwife weekly now so will ask for bloods to be taken for this in case it develops. And I'll watch fetal movement (I do anyway) and also will self refer if I get itching on hands and feet.

Thanks so much again (I wouldn't have rushed in if you hadn't have been so emphatic) and good luck to you all.

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MardyBra · 24/06/2011 11:14

Glad you're OK otchayaniye. I know it's a pain getting checked out but worth it for peace of mind, I'm sure. Hope the rest of your pregnancy goes OK.

starkadder · 24/06/2011 19:55

HI there

I did have OC so also had terrible itching. I found that oatmeal baths helped somewhat. Get some porridge oats, put them in the foot of a pair of tights, tie that up and chuck it in the bath. Bath water goes all oaty and creamy but without actual oats in it (due to tights). It does help a bit, at least while you're in there...!

JoleneJoleneJoleneJoleeene · 24/06/2011 20:05

What tests have they done? If this continues be persistent

Original poster

otchayaniye · 26/06/2011 08:13

Hello. I've had two bloods taken (including bile salts) and had a trace when I went in to MAU. All fine, but I am asking for bloods to be taken each week when I see either midwife or consultant. I already see a consultant for preeclampsia risk.

Still itching, not on hands and feet though and I think piriton has helped slightly.

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