My sister is pregnant with her first baby and due in 2 weeks. For the past month she has experienced severe itching from head to toe. It is the worst at night and she sometimes can't sleep for hours because of the itching. She has even scratched herself until she bleeds. Hydrocortizone cream and benadryl help a little. It comes and goes. Some days the itching is minimal, and some days it is really bad. She has researched on-line and is concerned about cholestasis. Her doctor is not concerned and thinks the itching is a normal side effect of pregnancy. I have had 3 kids and never experienced any itching. So we're wondering if any of you have had this experience while pregnant. If so, what did you do about it.
Your sister should demand a test to rule out cholestasis. My friend had it and it can be deadly for both mom and baby. Sometimes doctors are too dismissive. Your sister needs to trust her instincts.
I did not have a problem with itching during my pregnancies. However I do know people that have and it is a common side effect of pregnancy, especially where she is so near the end. Poor thing is just going to have to endure the annoyance until her little one makes its debut.
She should call the doctor. I experienced severe itching with my pregnancy and ended up being induced due to Cholestasis. It is a very serious problem with serious effects, especially for the baby. Email me if you have any other questions, I would be happy to help:) Good Luck! There is a simple blood test they can take, that takes about 5 hours to get the results, sometimes a little sooner if they rush it and then she can know for sure!
My friend had this throughout her pregnancy. She scratched until she bled, too. The hormones set off a reaction in her body, like she was actually allergic to being pregnant, but with her second baby she didn't itch at all! The only thing that offered het relief was Lanacane. Your sister could try that, but at least don't worry about the itching, it's not the most common thing, but it's normal.
I also had severe itching with my first child. My doctor also was not convinced when I told him that I (over the internet) had diagnosed myself with cholestasis. He did, however, prescribe oral medication that took away the itch. She should demand that they test her for cholestasis, because you never want to take a risk with your unborn child.
I had itching with all three of my pregnancies. With the last one I used a special lotion for people with serverly dry skin and it helped. It is a normal side effect but if she is concerned, demand the test.
I had this on my 4th pregnancy. I looked online and started freaking out. I called my midwife who wasn't really concerned and saind that I should try Aveno lotion with oatmeal and take Aveno oatmeal baths. This alleviated the problem for me (I also scratched my skin off, my midwife was shocked when she saw me at my next appointment). I was worried about it though and had developed a great relationship with my chiropractor throughout my pregnancy (I was going in like 2 times each week), he looked me over and checked me out and said that my body was not showing him that anything was wrong (there is also an adjustment they can do to alleviate some of the itching sensation). I would tell her not to worry. It's probably nothing.
