Itchy feet at night - Obstetric Cholestasis

[Astronaut1298]

Hi all

I am 14 weeks and as of the last 3 days, the soles of my feet have been itching at night

NHS website talks about this being a symptom of OC, and that it usually presents in the 3rd trimester but can sometimes be earlier

I have contacted my midwife who said that I need to ring Triage, but when I rang they said as i'm only 14 weeks they can't help and I need to ring my GP. I have been trying but no appointments available so will try again tomorrow

Did you experience this and if so, did it turn out to just be hormonal? I keep reading everywhere that it starts a lot later that's why i'm unsure. I know a blood test is the only way to find out, hopefully i'll get an appt soon

I had it twice. A lot later on in pregnancy though and I was itchy all over. But yes the doles of my feet too. Definitely raise it at your appointments. I eventually was prescribed medication for it but the chemist took one look at me and refused to give it so I didn’t end up taking it because even though I could have talked him around, I’m not big on taking medication at the best of times certainly not when a pharmacist gets freaked out at the suggestion of it.

@Fiddlededeefiddlededoh did you use any other creams etc to ease the itching?

I agree when the pharmacist reacts that way it freaks you out!

The risk of Still Birth is really worrying me if it goes unnoticed. A lot of people who said they got diagnosed, were a lot later than me and were induced whereas i'm way too early for that

I definitely had it twice. First time was undiagnosed but I remember itching and just thinking it was normal - baby was fine. Second time, was diagnosed at 24 weeks. No medication provided, just given advice on how to deal with the itch and to go in weekly for blood tests and monitoring - again, baby was fine but they did book me in for a c-section a week before due date but I never got that far! When is your next midwife appointment? I'd mention the itching there and ask for a blood test to check for cholestasis, but when they talk about induction it doesn't mean right away. And your levels would determine how early they would induce too 🙂

That was my experience and obviously everyone's is different. I'm fully expecting to get it again, I'm only 6ish weeks but will be mentioning it at my booking appointment just to be on the safe side!

Congratulations @cossie13 !! Hope you're feeling ok

Yes will certainly mention it again next week at my appt with midwife if I don't get an appt with GP before then

That's reassuring that you didn't need medication but they kept monitoring you. Hopefully I find out either way. I think from reading everywhere that you need to act straight away rather than wait got me very nervous as I have tried to get an appt but will have to speak to midwife again

The worry never stops !

Hi Astronaut I’ve sent you a private message

Hi all thanks for all your replies. Just to update I did manage to get a blood test form however I noticed they did not include Bile Acids Test, it's just FCB, LFT and C reactive Protein. So i've now got to go back and request BA

Definitely go back and request it, it's a pain that they didn't include that but if you can get it resolved they at least know to keep a closer eye on you if the levels come back high!

Had it severely with my second pregnancy I itched all over but granted it was worse on my feet and my arms. No rash and it drive me mad. Please get checked it can cause still birth. I myself had an emergency section due to feral distress at 39 weeks. I ignored the itching for weeks and weeks stupidly it can be managed and monitored closely

I can't even imagine having this so late in the pregnancy when it's already an uncomfortable time. Unfortunately I have had no luck since my last post in getting my Bile Acid tested, GP refused, Midwife said it's not needed and wasn't interested. Now holding onto hope that Triage will listen to me once i'm 18 weeks and can go directly to them with my concerns

This really surprises me. I only had to mention that the itching was driving me crazy and they were on it so quickly. I'd keep pushing and say it doesn't make you feel comfortable not testing for it. I spoke to the community midwives as I'm starting to itch already but nothing horrendous and she said it's highly unlikely but not impossible and that I should contact my GP this early on (8 weeks). So really, they should be testing, it's not going to cost the NHS much to just test your bile acid levels.

Keep pushing. It's frustrating but you'll be glad you did. Hope all goes well