Itchy Itchy Itchy !!!!!!!!

[mollyandkurtsmum]

HI I am currently about 19 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child and I cant stop itching. Everything is itchy from my hair to in between my toes. My belly itches, my palms itch, my neck itches and even my boobs are itchy. I feel like I have some hideous rash all over me constantly but there is nothing there. I thought maybe I had head lice so I did the nit thing with the whole family(much to their disgust) but nothing not even a little egg. has anyone alse had this problem cause its driving me crazy . Thank god for long nails and knitting needles!!!!!

[lily81]

Maybe you should check with your doctor as I had this and my bile salt levels were high. I had it at about 18 weeks and at about 31-33 weeks it peaked and I had to go in every second day to have my babies heart rate monitored. My boys were born 7 weeks premmie and it had alot to do with my high bile salt level. I don't mean to scare you but it may be best to check with your doctor. :)

[rynosmum]

A girlfirend of mine had this as well - it must have been the same as lily81 as hers was a liver condition. She also had to be careful toward the end of the pregnancy so I agree that you should check with your doctor.

She explained that the itching was unbearable and worse at night. I'll try and find out some of the remedies she used.

[philippa.s]

I had this too and it was worse at night. The midwives tested my urine for protien & all was well. I used skin creams & had a bottle next to the bed. It went away eventually but it was not for me an indication of anything else. But it is worth getting it checked out.

I can truly understand your pain & frustration & wish you the best of luck trying to find something to make it feel better & hope it is nothing serious for you.

Cheers

[Ryally]

Hi,

I just had this condition with my pregnancy. I was induced just under 38 weeks to prevent the risk of stillbirth which is a major concern after 37 weeks (I gave birth on the 17th Sept).

If you want to read up on the condition you can check out www.itchymoms.com.

I was itchy all over too, from my hair to my toes. It was awful and there were sleepless nights of scratching where I cried in despair. I even slept downstairs because I was keeping my husband awake with the constant scratching and tossing and turning.

I had to go to hospital every 48 hours for a CTG to check bub's heart rate after 36 weeks and had blood tests once a week to keep an eye on the bile levels.

It is vital you get it diagnosed and put under appropriate monitoring. Make sure you drink AT LEAST 2+ litres of water a day and DO NOT eat fatty foods as these make the symptoms worse for you and increases your levels which make it toxic and dangerous for bub.

Depending on your doctor and if you are private or public health you may need to jump up and down to get the care you need. I had to scream and shout and present at the hospital every other day in order for them to take notice. It greatly upset and annoyed me that they told me it's a high risk condition with an increased risk of stillbirth but still took the 'she'll be right mate' approach.

Feel free to email me if you want.
All the best :)

[Briannabear]

I had this problem too - but the doctors never worked out what it was.... :(

[Ryally]

I had this problem too - but the doctors never worked out what it was.... :(

Becca, did you go into labour naturally? How many weeks along were you when you gave birth?

This condition sometimes causes early labour which is why I'm asking.

I'm fascinated about this condition and by the different levels of care it gets from different caregivers. I only became aware of the condition when I mentioned that my eczema had flared up viciously during this pregnancy when I hadn't had a case of it since high school several years ago. She asked me was I sure it was eczema and not a 'liver condition'. I thought nothing of it until I mentioned it on this website along with a few other symptoms ie. dark urine. It was then I did a search on the net and bingo, I had EVERY symptom listed. I went to hospital the next day and had a blood test which showed Bile Acids at 13.7 (normal range 0 - 7) and my LFT at 217 (normal range was max 35!).

I'm amazed that considering this is supposed to be rare condition (2% of Australian women get it) there seem to be a heck of alot of women with it.

[eslay2005]

Hi,

I'm also itchy every where but most of the time just my boobs and lower tummy (coz of the stretch marks).
I told my Doc and she said it's due to changes and stretching of the skin. And something to do with fluid retention.
I use aloe vera gel and bio oil to soothe my boobs and strech marks and use normal body lotion for other parts.

Good Luck and keep us updated when you do go see your Doc. I may get a second opinion. :rolleyes:

Regards,

Eslay

[Briannabear]

Becca, did you go into labour naturally? How many weeks along were you when you gave birth?

This condition sometimes causes early labour which is why I'm asking.


I went into early labour naturally at just under 37 weeks.
Its so strange to read about it all. I went to so many doctors and dermatoligists and no-one told me about it. :confused: :rolleyes:

[babytoo]

mollyandkurtsmum - any follow up on this?? its really interesting, there seems to be a lot more worry about this than when I had my first son 3 years ago...

[mollyandkurtsmum]

sorry babytoo I forgot to get back to this one. I am currently waiting the results on a liver function test I had. But my doc doesnt seem to worried I told him ehat Id heard and he said that it used to be a problem but with todays technology there isnt too much to worry about. Ill let you know when I get the reults back and talk to him