Random itching - googled now terrified

[Lelly0503]

So last two days noticed my hands and feet been itchy. It was worse tonight so I googled it. What's come up on google is obstetric cholestasis. I have already called the midwife unit who have booked me in for a blood test tommorow. I am 39+5. I am now terrified of the worst possible outcome after googling and am worried about having to wait until the morning. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of this? Baby is moving fine but as I near the end my anxiety has been high anyway and now I'm thinking the worse is going to happen.

I think (from memory) there are other symptoms - pain in the upper right tummy area and jaundice. I was worried just like you and it turned out to be nothing but you are doing the right thing to have it checked out. Hope you can get some sleep.

My sister in law has obstetric cholestasis twice. Itching was her biggest symptom, other than blood work. The main thing is to recognise the symptoms which you already have done and get the bloods done when they Are arranging.

try and get some sleep. Nothing can be done tonight as Labs run on limits capacity at night. In the morning chase up midwife or call labour ward for advice if she doesn't get back to you. Hugs.

Hi I had this when I went a day over due with DD. It was excruciating and I almost itched the skin off my hands! I was seen quickly at my maternity centre but all was fine I didn't have the liver condition you mentioned and was told if I had they would of delivered the baby.

Since having my DD I have realised the itching was caused by a random allergic reaction to penicillin which I had taken in the time period when I was pregnant. Never had a reaction before but since being pregnant I can't have it anymore as I get that same itching thing.

Have you taken anything unfamiliar which may have caused the itching?

Chances are you will be absolutely fine try not to worry, easier said than done I know

Thank you- I did say to the lady on the phone should I not come over tonight and she said no it's not serious enough to need immediate attention. Do you know how long the blood tests take to come back?

I went through phases of maddening itching when pregnant-it wasn't cholestasis, although they tested for it. I was told that if it was OC, they'd expect to see jaundice.

I think itching in pregnancy is relatively common, and not always a sign of something sinister. You do need to be tested, though, to rule it out. I was told to take Piriton, which stopped the itching, so perhaps your midwife/ gp will advise that, once you've been tested.

I had this with all 3 pregnancies. They normally get blood tests back the same day. Given your stage of pregnancy, if they feel it is IC they may not wait for results but simply offer induction. M

Thank you, they have just said blood tests tommorow, hopefully will get
The results fairly quickly. I don't have any of the other signs just the itching xx

My friend had cholestasis. Once they diagnosed, she was monitored very carefully and there was a plan to induce, with when depending on her levels. This was at 36 weeks and they kept an eye on her levels and she was not deemed in danger. She was induced at 39 weeks, partly due to cholestasis, partly due to reduced movements, spd and anxiety. There were no complications and all is fine. Im sure you will be too, try not to worry too much, hopefully you will only have to hang in there a few more days

The NHS can turn the bloods around same day for urgent pregnancy related things. I've had this done before.

I was in last week for excessive itching (I also googled and freaked myself out!) they did a blood test at 9am and I had the results by midday. Hope it all goes well today.

I had all those classic symptoms from about 37 weeks. I didn't realise it was a thing so it only got picked up at my 38 week appointment, when my midwife sent me straight to hospital for bloods. Even then, it took all day to get results. Despite the rash (and itchiness!) getting worse and worse, it was never quite bad enough to be officially diagnosed as OC. I just had to keep getting my bloods done to keep an eye on them. If they had gone over the threshold, they would have just induced me since I was term.

In the end, I didn't deliver until 41 weeks and it was hellish - I couldn't sleep with the itching. I did manage to get a Dr to prescribe some steroid cream after a couple of weeks of E45 doing NOTHING. So even if it isn't OC (which hopefully it isn't), still seek help if you're struggling.

It cleared up immediately after birth. The flakes were amazing.

I had obstetric cholestasis 3 times during pregnancy. As your 39 weeks I'd say go in and demand a liver function test and bile acid tests. I don't want to alarm you but if you do have it they will need to induce before 40 weeks

3 times out of 4 pregnancies that was supposed to say

I was diagnosed with OC at 38 weeks. I had been itching the entire pregnancy (but that's a whole different thread I won't go into). They'll check your levels but as far as I recall, it's not considered particularly dangerous during pregnancy).

The main thing is that are likely to insist you are induced to get the baby out early or on time if you do have it as I think the research shows that leaving baby to go much beyond 40 weeks slightly increases the danger at delivery. Having said that, this was 6 years ago and I also remember discussing it with a doctor when pregnant with DD who told me that increased studies have shown it's not as dangerous as they used to think (I didn't get it with DD so I never had to pick up on that again anyway).

Mostly, it's just incredibly uncomfortable so if symptoms are only appearing now and you can conceivably have the baby pretty soon, you'll at least not have to suffer for too long.

i also had OC with my 1st pregnancy, i did report itchy skin to the doctor around 30weeks, but i was only tested for it when i mentioned it to my midwife at 37weeks. My bloods were taken the same day and results the next day confirmed OC. Baby was monitored every day for 4days until I turned 38weeks, at which point I was induced.

Just found out I'm 4weeks pregnant with my second baby, so I will be looking out for these symptons this time.

I had that, honestly don't worry but make sure you pop in to get baby monitored. It's not that serious if they keep an eye on baby. I had to pop in every other day to check up on baby.

Thanks everyone, had my blood tests done today, they said If OC is detected and the levels are high enough they will call me tonight. My midwife said as I am due if the levels are high they will offer an induction, so il just wait to hear tonight now. I've been keeping an Eye on baby's movements which are all fine, if that changes il give them a call. Thank you all for responding I do feel 100x better now xx

Hope it's all okay Lelly

Thanks willow- bloods showed slightly raised bile levels but not high enough to take action, just have repeat blood tests next week to monitor. Hopefully il have had this baby by then! Xx