Itching

[Emmylo9285]

Hi all,

I'm 31 weeks and the last 4 days I have had really itching belly, feet and bottom of my feet. I have tried moisturizing and all things like that but nothing is working and its driving me crazy, the doctor doesn't have an appointment for another week and I think im going to go stir crazy by then. Can anyone suggest what it could be or how to relief it.

Please see your doctor urgently. It's probably just itching due to your skin stretching but it could be ICP. Make an urgent appointment or go to a walk in centre.

I’ve had this too; have you told your Midwife? You need to have a blood test to check your liver function. Mine came back ok (I am 38 weeks) but I am still itching like mad so they need to repeat the bloods on Tuesday and I have to keep a really close eye on movements. I’m not trying to scare you, just letting you know what I was advised because it can be something totally harmless but could also be a sign of the more serious condition (Obstetric Cholestasis.) If you do have it they will monitor you and sometimes induce you at 37-38 weeks. Mine only started at 37 weeks and they won’t induce me because my bloods are suggesting I don’t have it. I’m just trying every home remedy there is to try and start labour myself right now! X

Definitely call your midwife/maternity unit. You need a blood test ASAP.

As pp have said. You must contact your midwife or gp first thing this morning! X

I had it around 30 weeks, lasted about ten days. It's skin stretching. Calamine and emollient soap help. Phone your midwife they might be able to get you an appointment quicker or try 111

I got a rash on my feet near the end of my pregnancy which was quickly sorted out with (prescription) steroid cream.

Itching can be a sign of a liver problems called intrahepatic cholestasis. Go to a walk in centre or your midwife if you can’t see GP

Another one saying please get this checked out today, it can indicate a problem with your liver

You need blood tests ASAP
Don’t take no for an answer

I had similar symptoms and was diagnosed with choleostasis. You need to contact your obstetric team/midwife immediately.

Repeating what others have said.
Please contact your midwife asap and they will have you in for blood tests.

I had the same symptoms and was diagnosed with Obstetric Cholestasis at 32 weeks. It's a dysfunction of the liver.

I had to have blood tests 3x a week, monitoring 3x a week, liver scans, growth scans as baby was growing small due to the OC.
And had an emergency c section at 36 weeks.

You should have the number of a maternity triage or assessment unit in your notes. Phone them not your community midwife (you may not be able to get through to her straight away anyway) or make an urgent GP appointment today.
The itching on your belly is quite normal at this stage of pregnancy but itching on the soles of your feet, as other have said, can be a sign of liver concerns which need checking out.

Another one here who was diagnosed with cholestasis & had to have my baby delivered at 37 weeks. Get the blood test, don’t let them fob you off like they tried to with me because my itching wasn’t in the ‘right’ place!

*JohnSnowsWhore
*
Can I ask what your baby weighed?
Mine had IUGR & had fallen off the growth chart and was told it was due to the OC.
Just so I know what to expect for at future pregnancies.

See your midwife/go urgently.

And this website might be helpful to you/others on this thread: icpsupport.org/

hazandduck
Hopefully your midwife knows that you actually need a bile salts test, rather than liver function.

I had OC (as it was then called) in my last two pregnancies. With my son midwife only ordered liver function tests, which came back ok. Identical symptoms in my final pregnancy, bile salts tested, they were WAY up. I know I had undiagnosed OC with my son, and feel lucky not to have lost him. Dd was born at 37 weeks.

Insist on bile salts test, not liver function, if you haven't already done so.

Thank you @oldbirdy I have been beside myself with worry since I was in the hospital last weekend. My bile acids were done and came back ok, but I am still not convinced. One level in my liver function was raised, but my midwife and the hospital said it had been like that my whole pregnancy. I know I sound like a paranoid crazy person but I am not convinced I just have that overwhelming worry. My husband is coming home early and we are going to go back DAU for repeat bloods because the itching is just getting worse and I can’t shake that feeling of doubt and anxiety. Thanks for giving me that push to go back. I just want my baby here now safe! This is the worst part of pregnancy! X

Thanks everyone... I managed to convince the GP recption to get gp to call me and she wants me to get a blood test and put me on piriton to help with the itch

Hope it goes ok @emmylo and glad you’re being seen quickly. I’ve spoken to my maternity unit and they won’t test me again until a week has passed and said again I just need to keep an eye on baby’s movements.

As a previous poster has said there should be a 24/7 number of a maternity triage or day assessment unit at the hospital you are booked to have your baby at please ring this and go along .

Glad you managed to get somewhere with the GP!
When's your blood test?
They had me in that afternoon for mine.
I was prescribed piriton & aqueous cream to help with the itching also.
My itching used to get that bad id make myself bleed!
Don't miss that part at all!! 😏

They didn't have no space until tuesday for bloods but I work at a hospital so going to get them done on monday... I can't wait for the itching to stop it driving me insane

Ah right ok, I'm surprised they haven't got you in sooner to be honest.
Hope all goes ok.

@GBBOaddict 6lb 10 induced at 37 weeks