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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Itchy skin

24 replies

CathyandHeathcliff · 26/07/2018 18:58

I’m 28 weeks on Saturday and I feel quite itchy. It’s widespread and seems to appear as tiny itchy spots in various places.
The problem is I’m going away on holiday in the morning for a week. So there’s no way I can get a blood test to check before next weekend when we return.
Anxiety levels are high! Baby is moving as normal and very active today.

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Original poster

CathyandHeathcliff · 26/07/2018 21:03

Anyone?

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mamaandthegirls · 26/07/2018 21:22

Hi, I am 30 weeks and only 2 days ago noticed VERY itchy skin on my feet, toes and hands. Got confirmed today I have Obstetric cholestasis. Please get checked as soon as you can! OC can be fatal for baby if not managed.

scumbagmillionaire · 26/07/2018 21:25

Get checked. As mentioned it can be serious. X

Original poster

CathyandHeathcliff · 26/07/2018 21:27

I don’t know what to do as I’m going away in the morning
Would it be really bad if I waited until I get back next week?
It doesn’t appear to be on my hands and feet, it’s just in random patches, my tummy, legs, arms, back, breasts etc. I can sleep etc so it’s not disturbing my sleep...I just don’t know what to do because we’re leaving very early tomorrow morning.

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Original poster

CathyandHeathcliff · 26/07/2018 21:29

Even if I called Midwife now (she’s on annual leave so it would have to be the Midwife team) I couldn’t have a blood test until I get back as we’re leaving early tomorrow morning (around 7am)

I don’t know what to do!

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mamaandthegirls · 26/07/2018 21:30

I would suggest if itching gets worse contact someone asap.

MoorMummy · 26/07/2018 21:32

I’m afraid you should delay or cancel your holiday to get checked out. My colleagues wife at work had this ( she’s a doctor) and she was literally whipped in and induced/delivered a month early the next day. I think you should call your local maternity unit for advice immediately.

Original poster

CathyandHeathcliff · 26/07/2018 21:37

I just thought me being 28 weeks would mean I wasn’t in a danger zone as it were, as I know they tend to bring the baby around 37 weeks if the blood test shoes positive.
I can’t delay the holiday so I’d have to cancel it, my partner thinks I’m massively overreacting, of course he wants the best for the baby but we’ve paid for the holiday and it could simply be nothing...I’m so torn as what to do. If only we hadn’t booked the holiday in the first place

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WhingyNinja · 26/07/2018 21:38

It could be PUPPP, I had it for a few weeks and it went away when I went to Santorini and got some sun. Unfortunately some women have it until they deliver but I was a lucky one. Look it up and see if your symptoms match, mine started in the summer too so I did think heat rash to begin with!

Allgirlskidsanddogs · 26/07/2018 21:44

Please think very carefully about your priorities and get checked. Your baby and your health are the most important things. Please get checked.

Foodylicious · 26/07/2018 21:47

Ring your maternity assessment unit and see what they say

woodhill · 26/07/2018 21:50

It was 20 years' ago but I remember having terrible itching on my stomach during pregnancy in the hot weather. I did get it checked out and GP,suggested washing with aqueous cream etc.

I couldn't bear waistbands and wore a big long t shirt at home

3boys3dogshelp · 26/07/2018 21:53

Is it worth the risk? A friend of mine lost her baby due to OC.
If you have travel insurance you can cancel and book something else if you get the all clear.

Original poster

CathyandHeathcliff · 26/07/2018 21:54

I’ll call the Maternity assessment unit tomorrow morning and see what they say/suggest. I know it seems like I’m being selfish but I don’t want to go completely over the top, when actually there’s nothing wrong. Obviously if there were reduced movements or anything like that, I’d go in straight away tonight but he’s moving loads in there today.
I’ll call them in the morning before we leave (if we leave).

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TruffleShuffles · 26/07/2018 21:54

Always worth checking as my friend had OC and it was her stomach that itched rather than hands and feet. I have had PUPPP though and it does sound more like that, it started with itching and patchy skin on my stomach and then it moved to my chest, arms, back and thighs. I went to the doctors and they prescribed me a 1% hydrocortisone cream and it cleared it up in a week. I would be wary of buying an over the counter hydrocortisone cream as most say don’t use during pregnancy but the one I was prescribed was fine.

DamsonPie · 26/07/2018 21:56

If it’s obstetric cholestasis your baby could die if you don’t get treatment. Delay your holiday and get a blood test.

I was itchy during pregnancy and it wasn’t OC. I was so itchy I couldn’t sleep and would lie awake sobbing because I was so exhausted and the itching was unbearable. Showers made it worse so I washed as little as possible and was prescribed moisturising cream. Unfortunately it didn’t go away until I gave birth.

BobblyBits · 26/07/2018 22:00

Yes please get it checked out just in case it’s OC. Everything can be quite sudden with OC so any itching best to get it checked out

Original poster

CathyandHeathcliff · 26/07/2018 22:00

I’m sitting here crying. I didn’t realise the baby could die this early. I thought if I did have it, stillbirth was a risk after 36-38 weeks. That’s why I said about leaving it one more week but of course I’m not going to choose a holiday over my baby dying. I just didn’t realise the risk was so high at 28 weeks.

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woodhill · 26/07/2018 22:07

Please check it out. Could you ring that NHS health advice line now

Original poster

CathyandHeathcliff · 26/07/2018 22:09

@woodhill I’m going to wait until the morning. I had a growth scan two days ago and everything looked really good in there, placenta etc functioning really well. And as I’m 27+5 I’m going to wait until tomorrow morning and contact my GP or the maternity assessment unit. He’s moving around lots and has been the last few days.

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woodhill · 26/07/2018 22:11

Brilliant Cathy. Let us know. My ds was fine, full term pregnancy and he's now at home during uni break

coastergirl · 26/07/2018 22:11

I was tested several times in the last few weeks of my pregnancy because my itching was horrendous. I was making myself bleed to the point that they moved my ELCS forward. But it was just PEPS (there seems to be a lot of different names for it). But as others have said, the alternative is scary so you need to be checked. Hope all is ok.

Original poster

CathyandHeathcliff · 26/07/2018 22:14

Thanks all. I just spoke to the founder of the ICP Support group on Facebook and she was very reassuring. She said I need to get checked out but at this particular gestation, complications are very rare. After 30-32 weeks, things get more serious. I’m going to try my best to get checked tomorrow morning before we leave (if we leave).

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Original poster

CathyandHeathcliff · 27/07/2018 12:11

Called the Midwife team this morning. She said it doesn’t sound like ICP, to go on my holiday and enjoy myself, but if it continues after holiday. I am to contact the maternity assessment centre when I’m back and get tests done. I could also get it done when I’m away (I’m going to Wales) so there is that option too if it gets really bad or the movements change etc.

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