Q. I've been itchy for about a week now but since last night developed big rashes all over my body and fear I might have that I'm going in to see my doctor today but wanted to know more about it from weman who actually have it or got it during pregnancy. Thank you so much for sharing....:)
A. I've already "spoken" with you about my experience, but I'll try to go into a little more detail.
I actually "journaled" both of my pregnancies, so I know exactly when the itching started with my first. It started when I was about 7 weeks pregnant as a rash on my upper arms only. From there it spread across my chest, down my belly, and then down my legs. I actually scratched myself bloody at points.
My ob-gyn sent me to a dermatologist, who found nothing wrong with the standard blood tests (they did not do the needed tests for cholestasis). I was prescribed two different creams but neither helped. On the third trip in, they did a skin biopsy of one of the rashy bumps, and again found nothing. By that time I was about 6 months pregnant, and I looked like I had the plague or something. The itch kept me up at night even. I would wake up scratching with the sheets all bloody.
It did start to slack off a little when I was about 30 weeks, but then my daughter was born right at 32 weeks gestation. The itching immediately stopped after she was born, and a different doctor was the one that actually diagnosed the cholestasis postpartum. I also had hypertension, (often associated with cholestasis) and gestational diabetes with her.
I did not have any of the problems with my son that I had with my daughter, even though they say that if you have cholestasis with one you will have it with subsequent pregnancies. Go figure. I was much healthier with my second than I was with my first, so maybe that had something to do with it.
I actually "journaled" both of my pregnancies, so I know exactly when the itching started with my first. It started when I was about 7 weeks pregnant as a rash on my upper arms only. From there it spread across my chest, down my belly, and then down my legs. I actually scratched myself bloody at points.
My ob-gyn sent me to a dermatologist, who found nothing wrong with the standard blood tests (they did not do the needed tests for cholestasis). I was prescribed two different creams but neither helped. On the third trip in, they did a skin biopsy of one of the rashy bumps, and again found nothing. By that time I was about 6 months pregnant, and I looked like I had the plague or something. The itch kept me up at night even. I would wake up scratching with the sheets all bloody.
It did start to slack off a little when I was about 30 weeks, but then my daughter was born right at 32 weeks gestation. The itching immediately stopped after she was born, and a different doctor was the one that actually diagnosed the cholestasis postpartum. I also had hypertension, (often associated with cholestasis) and gestational diabetes with her.
I did not have any of the problems with my son that I had with my daughter, even though they say that if you have cholestasis with one you will have it with subsequent pregnancies. Go figure. I was much healthier with my second than I was with my first, so maybe that had something to do with it.
has anyone ever had obstetric cholestasis or pre eclampsia?
Q. heya i had it with my daughter and am planning another child but am really really scared i will get it again, i also had gall stones and pre eclampsia with that pregnancy and was induced at 38 weeks and ended up with a c section because of it . if anyone has had more than one baby and had the condition could you please fill me in. also stories of your exp would be nice for both as i just want something to NOT be worried about
A. yes you can get everything again, you will tend to find people who have never had these problems think they know more, speak to your doctor, they will tell you that with every pregnancy there is risks of everything whether youve had them before or never! I myself had a perfectly healthy first pregnancy, which due to being overdue and baby being in distress, i too had to have an emergency c-section. Im now currently pregnant with my second child (36wks) and iv had every problem there is! Im being induced monday thanks to Cholestasis - But even tho my first pregnancy resulted in a c-section, and the fact that i have cholestasis, there is no reason why i cant try natural! I have the choice whether to be induced and try natural or to go to theatre for a section (i still havent decided what to do!!).
Dont let people or whats happened scare you, if we all let these things bother us we'd never have children. Listen to your heart and if you want more kids go for it... Your doctor will look after you (iv had fortnightly checkups with an obstetrician all thru my pregnancy as well as scans once a month!) SO long as you keep up to date with your apointments, you will be fine. And you will be in the best hands if they were to think something wasnt right.
Dont let people or whats happened scare you, if we all let these things bother us we'd never have children. Listen to your heart and if you want more kids go for it... Your doctor will look after you (iv had fortnightly checkups with an obstetrician all thru my pregnancy as well as scans once a month!) SO long as you keep up to date with your apointments, you will be fine. And you will be in the best hands if they were to think something wasnt right.
Is itchy feet at 6 weeks of pregnancy a sign of cholestasis?
Q. My feet itched so much last night that I couldn't sleep. I'm quite alarmed because I read on the net that itchy feet and palms is a sign of cholestatis which can cause fetal death. But most women affected were in their third trimester. Am I worrying over nothing?
A. I had Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP) during my pregnancy with my son. I itched ALL OVER and it started towards the end of my 2nd trimester. Talk to your doctor about this, they can run a simple blood test to test your liver function. That will let them know if this is caused by cholstasis or not.
Its more then likely not just because its so early on in the pregnancy but you never know. Its better to be safe then sorry. Just talk to your doctor about it at your next appointment.
BTW reading things on the internet can make you go crazy!!! The doctors found a cyst on my son's brain and did some blood tests. They told me not to look it up but I did anyways. Worried myself to death over nothing. My son didn't have what they were testing for and was completley healthy.
Its more then likely not just because its so early on in the pregnancy but you never know. Its better to be safe then sorry. Just talk to your doctor about it at your next appointment.
BTW reading things on the internet can make you go crazy!!! The doctors found a cyst on my son's brain and did some blood tests. They told me not to look it up but I did anyways. Worried myself to death over nothing. My son didn't have what they were testing for and was completley healthy.
What is the name of the condition that pregnant women may get that causes the symptom "itching"?
Q. I just happen to be watching Discovery Health one day and saw an episode on the condition but forgot the name. I wanted to look it up. The only thing I remember is that the woman had itching over her body and fingers. I think it had something to do with the liver as well. I am currently having this itching symptom, and I'm 7 months pregnant.
A. What you are thinking of is called Cholestatis of Pregnancy, which is an itchy rash that is caused by a bile blockage in your liver. If you think you have it, you should definitely discuss it with your midwife or doctor.
However, it's also possible that you have another, much more common and less harmful rash called PUPPPS (Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy.) PUPPPs affects women usually in their third trimester, and it's completely harmless to the mother and baby. It's a rash that spreads and is incredibly itchy, and unfortunately, the only cure is giving birth. I had PUPPPs, and it was awful, and it only went away two weeks after birth. You can consult a dermatologist, who may be able to give you something to speed the cure or reduce the itching.
People say that the difference between PUPPPs and Cholestasis is that Cholestasis is primarily in the hands and feet, but I had PUPPPs that was primarily in my hands and feet (until it spread) and it was definitely PUPPPs, and not Cholestasis.
I've included a few links below about both Cholestatis and PUPPPs for your reference.
The only thing that I found that helped was cooling the rash. People recommend Sarna cream, but I found that blue gel ice packs and cool baths, and soaking my feet and hands in cold water, was the only thing that gave me real relief. (I tried pretty much every cream and gel and ointment out there, and cooling the rash was the only thing that worked.)
Good luck!
However, it's also possible that you have another, much more common and less harmful rash called PUPPPS (Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy.) PUPPPs affects women usually in their third trimester, and it's completely harmless to the mother and baby. It's a rash that spreads and is incredibly itchy, and unfortunately, the only cure is giving birth. I had PUPPPs, and it was awful, and it only went away two weeks after birth. You can consult a dermatologist, who may be able to give you something to speed the cure or reduce the itching.
People say that the difference between PUPPPs and Cholestasis is that Cholestasis is primarily in the hands and feet, but I had PUPPPs that was primarily in my hands and feet (until it spread) and it was definitely PUPPPs, and not Cholestasis.
I've included a few links below about both Cholestatis and PUPPPs for your reference.
The only thing that I found that helped was cooling the rash. People recommend Sarna cream, but I found that blue gel ice packs and cool baths, and soaking my feet and hands in cold water, was the only thing that gave me real relief. (I tried pretty much every cream and gel and ointment out there, and cooling the rash was the only thing that worked.)
Good luck!
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