Think I've got the Itch - Cholestasis

[WisteriaSuperior]

Eugh... Second night of no sleep... Thought it was my sheets and nightie, washed-them dried them but nope... Itchy like buggery again tonight...
I've got an antenatal appointment on Monday afternoon... But should I ring the urgent midwife line tomorrow/later today Sunday... Even just to ask them if they think it's urgent? It's such a shame there's no provision for non urgent queries over the weekend... I don't know if this is urgent or not and I'm going to feel a fool and time waster again when I ring tomorrow! If it is Cholestasis it can cause still birth so it's not something trivial.... It's come on out of the blue.

It's been a long long time since I was pregnant but I would phone 111 now if the itching is unbearable. I wouldn't leave it to Monday personally but I did have difficult pregnancies (due to continuous bleeding) so I was on high alert. Good luck op

Where are you itching? And is it your first pregnancy? I know these questions sound a bit random but they're not!

Please get yourself checked out ASAP. Please.

I had this with all 3 pregnancy's. Get yourself checked out in the morning. They will need to take blood samples and if necessary then prescribe tablets. Need to get the ball rolling ASAP so they can treat you before levels elevate too high.
I found the itching the worst on my feet (had to have frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel to numb them!)
Meanwhile help yourself by removing fat from your diet. A lean protein diet helps.

Thanks everyone, especially @Dangermouse80... Will definitely call in the morning. It's quite random little itches here and there but enough to keep me awake, I'm not scratching myself raw. When I'm up and occupied like I am now it's less noticeable, but when you're doing nothing laying down you just can't ignore it!
Definitely going to ring as I can't cope with the lack of sleep! Before this started I've been averaging 3-4hrs per night night awake for 2 then back for an hour or so.... I'm on empty!!!

I had horrendous itching win my first child. I was tested repeatedly for choleostasis but it wasn't that. Apparently choleostasis usually starts with itching on your hands and feet. Mine was terrible on my upper thighs at first, then spread. On one occasion I was sent to the assessment unit for yet more blood tests and monitoring. All that was fine, but the midwife noticed I was scratching my arms so much that they started to bleed. She pushed for the consultant to see me between scheduled patients. I was admitted to the ward for steroid injections and would have had my c-section early if they hadn't worked. It helped and my boy was born by ELCS a week later. The condition was called PUPPS but I think the name has changed now. You're far less likely to get it in subsequent pregnancies, and I didn't get it with my second.

I had cholestasis in my previous pregnancy

Mine wasn't hands and feet it was all over!

I'm being closely monitored this pregnancy as you have a higher chance of getting it again with subsequent pregnancies and also earlier

I didn't get tested or didn't started to itch last pregnancy until end of week 38 but got bloods straight away

It's triage you need to call and they will take bloods ( these come back very quickly like within 24 hours) .

I went in 2 days ago with minor itching and it came back clear - ish one slightly elevated result so have to go back next week for more.

Please get checked x

@3rdtimemomma thank you, will do Xx

I’m 25+1 and was diagnosed a week ago with obstetric cholestasis. I started itching mildly and mentioned it briefly to midwife and she I had to have blood tests straight away incase it was OC. Bloods came back and confirmed I do have it and they’ve started me on a course of medication and have to have weekly blood tests from now onwards. Itching has got worse each day to the point it’s keeping me up all night. Defo get in touch with your hospital or midwife for blood tests as it can be bad if left untreated. X

@h164 thank you Xx

So I managed to get bloods taken today/ technically yesterday but on night 3 of disturbed sleep... Got 3hrs... This time its mostly my bump itching like mad, so slathered it into Calamine lotion buy that only calms it for like 10 mins.... Going to as them tomorrow if its can take Pirton... Skin is crawling! I've still got one week if work left.... Seriously limping through until mat leave and can't wait when I can sleep in the day if I need to! Even if it's just an hour here and an hour there over the course of 24 hrs otherwise I'm going to have to nothing left when it comes to labour... Baby willow just have to crawl out of me!!! 😂

Justin going to retype......
So I managed to get bloods taken today/ technically yesterday but on night 3 of disturbed sleep... Got 3hrs... This time its mostly my bump itching like mad, so slathered it in Calamine lotion but that only calms it for like 10 mins.... Going to ask them tomorrow if I can take Pirton... Skin is crawling! I've still got one week of work left.... Seriously limping through until mat leave and can't wait when I can sleep in the day if I need to! Even if it's just an hour here and an hour there over the course of 24 hrs otherwise I'm going to have to nothing left when it comes to labour... Baby will just have to crawl out of me!!! 😂

I had it too and had a blood test at 35 weeks and my symptoms weren't that bad. Just hand itching and only when I walked my dogs. My readings were off the chart but I went into natural labour before they could induce me. My boy was in NICU for 6 days as he came out a very dark red colour and his breathing needed help but otherwise fine. It was an emergency at the time but no lasting effects.