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

Original poster

Unbearable itching not Obstetric Cholestasis

14 replies

PhyllisVance · 03/09/2019 09:03

39+4 today. After a weekend of unbearable itching mainly on feet but also arms and bump, spoke to midwife and liver function bloods were checked yesterday and got the results this morning - all okay.

Someone please tell me what I can do to help with this itching? I wake up several times in the night scratching myself to pieces and I’m not sure I can take anymore!

OP posts:
MuchTooTired · 03/09/2019 09:10

I had this, it’s awful isn’t it?! I found the only thing that calmed it was slathering my bump in Nivea like I’d be sunburnt and letting it all soak in, and constantly reapplying. I was prescribed some aqueous cream, (you can get it without prescription too) which helped, but didn’t work as well for me as Nivea did.

Original poster
PhyllisVance · 03/09/2019 09:16

Thanks @MuchTooTired - I can’t believe how painful it is!

Is the Nivea more lotion consistency rather than cream? I’ve tried a couple of creams so far but found them too heavy to the point where they irritated too much so maybe something like a lotion would be better. Don’t want to keep forking out for expensive stuff seeing as I don’t have long left so Nivea might be a good idea in that respect too.

OP posts:
GeoffreyAndBungle · 03/09/2019 09:24

If the itching continues you must get another bile acid test because with ICP (obstetric cholastasis) the itching can start BEFORE the bile acids start to rise.

GeoffreyAndBungle · 03/09/2019 09:26

Oh and when I had ICP menthol aqueous cream helped a bit.

Didiusfalco · 03/09/2019 09:30

Are you having a boy? I think it’s called PUPPs and could be a reaction to the male hormones. I had this and it’s absolutely awful but cleared up a few days after giving birth. I used a lot of calamine, I think I was prescribed some steroids too. Nothing actually helped that much, but you’ve got it quite late in the day so hopefully shouldn’t be long.

ppwonar · 03/09/2019 09:41

I had crazy itching in the first trimester and menthol aqueous cream gave some relief. Worth a try!

MumsyMum31 · 03/09/2019 09:42

I had this in the last few weeks of pregnancy with my dad! It’s horrendous no creams lotions or potions helped!! I rang maternity unit late one night as I couldn’t take anymore! The doctor was so helpful and named a antihistamine type med to ask my gp for. I can’t remember what it was called but he said it was an older Med that wasn’t often prescribed anymore as it causes drowsiness, but boy it was fab! Stopped the itch and I got to catch up on some sleep!! See your GP ASAP!! Do not leave without a prescription!! Hope this helps,

MumsyMum31 · 03/09/2019 09:43

With my *DD that’s supposed to be!!

Original poster
PhyllisVance · 03/09/2019 10:01

Thank you everyone!

I definitely thought it was PUPP to begin with as it started in the stretch marks on my bump at 38weeks but the midwife just suggested cocoa butter Hmm

I’ll see the midwife again and ask about repeat bloods too. And try some menthol aqueous cream.

I had heard about it being to do with having a boy. We don’t know if it’s a girl or a boy so will have to wait and see!

OP posts:
StealthPussy · 03/09/2019 10:06

Child’s farm moisturiser is good and sinks in more like a lotion. Not greasy.

MuchTooTired · 03/09/2019 10:44

@PhyllisVance I used the Nivea rich nourishing body lotion, in the pump bottle. It’s about 6 quid a bottle, but if you have a Morrison’s nearby it’s down to £3. It’s a body lotion so found it quite light, and it was utter bliss when I’d applied it becuase all the itching stopped!

coastergirl · 03/09/2019 11:22

I had this too...you have my sympathy. I was tested multiple times for OC and it wasn't that. One day when I was at the hospital, I was itching so much my arms were bleeding. The midwife realised I couldn't carry on like that and insisted the consultant squeezed me in between patients. I had a c-section already planned, so they came up with a plan to give me steroid injections that might help with the itching, and if not then they would bring my section forward and if that happened, at least I would have already had the steroids for baby's lungs. I was taken upstairs and admitted straight away for the injections as I had gestational diabetes. Ultimately the steroids did help and I got a few days respite, but they expected it would be short-lived so they brought my section forward a few days anyway. He was born a few days later at 38+3.

Sorry that's a long ramble! I tried all sorts of creams, sprays, antihistamines etc and unfortunately nothing worked for me. It did go away as soon as he was born though and you're very unlikely to get it in subsequent pregnancies.

SofiaAmes · 03/09/2019 11:32

I had this for the last 2 months of my pregnancy. It's called PUPPs. It was awful. And my stupid GP kept commenting on how lucky I was my ankles weren't swollen as if that were somehow the only bad thing that could happen to someone while pregnant. The only thing that worked was Snake Brand Prickly Heat Cooling Powder. Back then I had to get my parents to bring it to me after a trip to Hong Kong but now you can buy it on Amazon.

BellaBellaBelle · 03/09/2019 12:13

I have this too and it’s awful, I wake in the night and have to reapply cream. I’ve found that E45 lotion (not the cream) has made a huge difference.

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