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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Itchy legs!! Why do we itch!

55 replies

Byets · 11/05/2020 10:43

Could someone pleaaaaaseee shed some light on why pregnancy can make you itch?

I've had itchy legs/tops of feet on and off for a couple of weeks, now since last night they have itched constantly! Does anyone know why pregnancy can make you itch?!😩

OP posts:
Original poster
Byets · 13/05/2020 11:56

To ask again (sorry everyone) lol. Last night I had an itchy sole on my right foot, not awfully. Only lasted about 10 minutes and went away. Starting to wonder if I'm now imagining it 😂

Am i better calling my doctors and asking to speak with a doctor who would be able to do my bloods, rather than calling the emergency midwife line because that seems really excessive. Does anyone know if the doctors will help?

I'm 29 weeks today, I won't be seeing a midwife until 8th June at my birth centre assessment.

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BlingLoving · 13/05/2020 12:01

hat mw at the hospital said if it isn't intense itching in the palm of the hands and soles of the feet they aren't worried about cholestasis.

I had terrible itching but not on soles of feet r hands. And, as it turns out, I had obstetric cholestasis.

It does need to be pushed for sometimes as a lot of midwives don't seem to take it seriously. I had a test v early (privately through work) as I was itching a lot already and it came up negative.

Every subsequent midwife, despite writing in my notes that I complained of excessive itching, did not see the need for a test. Until by pure coincidence I happened to see the senior midwife for our area at my 38 week check. I complained. She looked at my notes. Made huffing noises and did a test on the spot. The following morning, while having coffee with a friend, I missed 4 calls from my doctor's surgery - THAT was scary. I was being called because they'd made an urgent appointment for me with a consultant that afternoon as guess what - I had OC after all.

I saw some minor relief by using a combination of aloe vera gel and a moisturiser - for me, Nivea with almond oil but I know a lot of people don't like that. I'd spread loads of aloe vera and leave to be absorbed/dry . Then rub in the nivea so generously that not all could be absorbed. then leave to be absorbed. This helped a bit. But it wasn't foolproof.

BlingLoving · 13/05/2020 12:03

OP - I'd call your GP to start, yes. If you get no joy, ring the emergency midwife number. But basically, highlight how intense the itching is and make sure you tell them that you're finding it very hard to manage.

Original poster
Byets · 13/05/2020 12:07

@BlingLoving thank you for replying. That's terrible that you where left all the way to 38 weeks without the mw testing even though you where complaining of it!

Where was your itching if you don't mind me asking?

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Snowpatrolling · 13/05/2020 12:09

I had this, call you gp now,
I had a problem with my liver.
I had the most awful itchy legs.
Please call them now, don’t wait.
As others have said if it’s not treated can call still birth.

Original poster
Byets · 13/05/2020 12:14

@Snowpatrolling thank you, I have called GP surgery and have been put on the list for a call from the doctor so hopefully will hear from them today 😊

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Original poster
Byets · 13/05/2020 12:15

@Snowpatrolling also really sorry to hear you had this, was it just your legs that itched?

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BlingLoving · 13/05/2020 12:18

@Byets the worst was my stomach but as I recall it was also all over my legs and a bit on my arms.

It was truly unbearable.

I'm the sort who absolutely tells the doctor/midwife how I'm feeling but I've realised that I've watched WAAAAAY too much TV - I am quite matter of fact and non-emotional about it because I assume all doctors are like the ones on House or Greys Anatomy and will pick up on the smallest comment. hahahaha.

I'm learning to be a bit more effective when advocating for myself. So if it was me now I'd probably really bang on about how I can't sleep and it's so painful it makes me cry or whatever.

BlingLoving · 13/05/2020 12:19

if it IS OC OP, please don't panic - research shows that going past full term increases risk of still birth so the most effective treatment is simply to induce earlier. Also they can give you a few more drugs to help with discomfort if and when its diagnosed (not completely) which helps too.

Original poster
Byets · 13/05/2020 12:35

@BlingLoving hahaha I completely understand! I am exactly the same. I hate feeling like I'm complaining or like doctors/mw are looking at me thinking stop being ridiculous lol. It's hard to get the right balance isn't it! I'll deffo explain how it really is when the doctor calls me today though as I feel it's best to have the blood test to hopefully just rule it out so I can put it down to another annoying pregnancy symptom 🤷‍♀️

Thank you for your advice! I will let you know how I get on xx

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Snowpatrolling · 13/05/2020 13:29

@Byets yes it was just my legs, had just started on my arms when I got the results back!
I’d scratched my legs red raw by the time I was treated!
I’m sure it will be fine but so worth getting it checked! :)

BlingLoving · 13/05/2020 14:00

Did anyone else find that although the overall itchiness went after birth, their skin is much more sensitive now? I get random itchy spots even now and am suddenly far more likely to be unable to wear certain jewellery etc. It's very irritating and I'm constantly told it has nothing to do with pregnancy even though that's when it started.

Original poster
Byets · 13/05/2020 18:51

@CarterBeatsTheDevil @BlingLoving @Snowpatrolling did any of you have any other symptoms aside from itching? I've got blood tests tomorrow morning so fingers crossed it comes back as nothing!

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Tuliptulip · 13/05/2020 18:59

I had OC diagnosed in my third pregnancy (mild itch including palms) but they thought I might have had it asymptomatically in my two previous ones as I had all three babies 4-5 weeks early. The theory was that sometimes your body knows and spontaneously goes into labour Hmm. Anyway they were all fine with no special care needed and the itching went away immediately after the third birth.

Original poster
Byets · 13/05/2020 20:02

@Tuliptulip thank you for replying 😊 sorry to hear you had this in your pregnancies! I'm glad all your babies where fine and no special care was needed! Did you have any other symptoms apart from itching?

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Tuliptulip · 13/05/2020 20:10

No, nothing out of the ordinary. Even my itching was mild but apparently my readings were very high. For me it was all very straightforward but it is good that you are being tested and so if you do have it they will be aware.

Pjk1996 · 13/05/2020 20:27

Hi, sorry to jump in on this thread I’m
only 7 weeks but suffering with itchy skin. I had issues with sensitive skin before I conceived though but not this as much as this. Is it possible to have OC this early on?

Original poster
Byets · 13/05/2020 20:37

@Pjk1996 hi hun, I have read online it's uncommon to have before third trimester but some people have had oc from as early as 8 weeks! I deffo don't know enough about it though to answer your question. Hopefully someone else might know more!

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BlingLoving · 13/05/2020 21:01

No, just itchiness. Although had awful pregnancy overall, including SPD.

Glad you are getting bloods. Mine started around 18 weeks. But at 22 weeks the test was clear. Itchiness continued throughout until test confirmed at 38 weeks.

Original poster
Byets · 15/05/2020 07:19

@BlingLoving @Tuliptulip @Snowpatrolling hello again, do any of you remember how long it took for your blood results to come back? I've read online bile acids can take longer than normal bloods! 😩 xx

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BlingLoving · 15/05/2020 09:13

Mine were quick. But I don't know if the MW put a rush on them seeing as I was already 38 weeks pregnant. I definitely had them by the following day.

Did you have the test?

Original poster
Byets · 15/05/2020 09:38

@BlingLoving ahh that's very true seeing that you where 38 weeks they would have needed them back quickly wouldn't they!

Yes had the blood test yesterday morning so just awaiting the results, just want to know either way so that I can see what the course of action will be for this itching! Xx

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Tuliptulip · 15/05/2020 09:57

Mine were also next day - I was 35 weeks and had him spontaneously 2 days after!

Snowpatrolling · 15/05/2020 10:10

@Byets
I didn’t have any other symptoms,
I think it took about 5 days to get results back if I remember rightly, in the mean time they prescribed me a very strong itch relief cream to use!!!

Original poster
Byets · 15/05/2020 10:46

@Tuliptulip @Snowpatrolling thank you both. What a coincidence that you spontaneously had your baby 2 days later! I hope all was well. I'm only 29+2 so I'm a bit earlier than you all where when you where having your tests! I'll let you know the results 😊

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