Normal itching or Obstetric Cholestasis??

[mimitiggy]

Hello!

I am 9 weeks and have no history of OC in my family (as far as I know, unfortunately all my family are dead so I can’t ask!)

The itching stared suddenly two days ago, is mostly my hands and feet (but also my breasts and vulva) and is much much worse at night. It’s enough that I wake myself up with itching.

I asked my midwife and she said to go to my GP but they have some new bloody phone system which isn’t working so I can’t get through!

Can it wait until Monday? Has anyone had OC ?

fwiw, I’m white (apprently ethnicity plays a part) and obviously from my panic levels this is going to be my first baby!

I had OC but it didn't start til 34 weeks - I didn't know it could start as early as 9 weeks (which doesn't mean it can't). Hands and feet, spreading to legs and arms and worse at night sounds OC ish. I assume they will test your bile salts?

@floating
Apparently it can start at 8 weeks although in third trimester is much more common!

I am panicking a little because I can’t get through to my doctor and they will be closed until Monday - I think I just want someone who had it to tell me I don’t need to leave work now and go to a&e! (I’m working tonight)

Well, when I had it it started just after my 34 week appointment and I mentioned it at my 37 week appointment. They did blood tests on the Tuesday. I was phoned on Friday and told to go in for monitoring and to start treatment. They had me back in the following Monday to do an ultrasound to check blood flow to placenta.

So I would guess a doctor appointment on Monday would be ok, but if I were you I would ring the EPU at your hospital, if you've been booked in, and ask them if Monday is ok.

Ive just been diagnosed with this in the last week. I'm 34 weeks and like you, white with zero family history as far as I'm aware.

I had really itchy feet at night in the first trimester and didn't really think anything of it, assumed I had some kind of infection as it went away after a few weeks. Then around Christmas it came back and was worse, so I mentioned it at a midwife appointment last week and she said she'd send of my bloods...and here I am a week later.

Tbh there isn't really anything they can do once you've had the diagnosis other than I've been given creams to relive the itching and also some tablets to try and stop it getting worse. The only thing that will stop it is delivery of the baby, which they're obviously not going to do at 8 weeks. All they've said to me is that they will keep monitoring my bloods and then will deliver between 37 and 39 weeks. I don't think you need to go to a&e because it's not a life or death situation, it's more they just keep an eye on you if/when you've been diagnosed with it. As others have said it is more common after 30 weeks (but even then I believe only about 1 in 140 pregnancies are affected) so I don't know if it was this in the first trimester or just normal itching.

I've had it twice, first pregnancy started at 28 weeks , second pregnancy started at 17 weeks, I'm currently 25 weeks and it's not started yet and hopefully won't , but I would encourage you to speak to 111 as they can get you an out of hours appointment to see a doctor and get your levels checked because it's not good for symptoms this early , I've been warned to seek advice as soon as I get itchy this time to get the right drugs

If you're on Facebook search 'ICP Support' there is a great page run by the people who research the condition. They answer any questions people ask on there.

Whilst it might not seem like an urgent issue (and really does not need a trip to a&e or antthing like that) you do need to get on meds as soon as you can if you have it so worth following up. I rang triage who called me in immediately for bloods in the hospital so could be an option (although I was in third trimester).
I hope it's hormonal and not obs choleostasis- fingers crossed for you. Let us know xx