Itchy During Pregnancy

Hi, I had the same thing when I was prego with my twins who are 5 now. It started in my 7th month and lasted till the end..... It was terrible!!! I thought I was going to scratch my skin off all day every day. I looked it up and it was called PUPPS.... I did the oatmeal baths and that was only good while I was in the bath and once out the itches came back.... Good luck

Aveeno! That was my saving grace. I used the Aveeno body wash and lotion - I still do now. My back was the worst for me and I found that it helped. It would still be itchy from time to time but not nearly as bad.

Hi L.,

I am so sorry to hear that you're experiencing this side effect of pregnancy so early on. They say this happens when your skin stretches, but I was itchy in places that weren't being stretched. All I can say is to use some really nice body cream...Eucerin or Curel are good ones. Aveeno is good for itching, too.

Take care,
A.

I also had cholestasis during my pregnany, so definitely mention it to your OB/GYN

Tell your obstetrician immediately. Especially if it is centered on your feet and palms. It probably is nothing, but it could be the rare but extremly serious condition mentioned in another post (obstetrical cholestasis). I developed terribly itchy feet and palms in my second trimester and it turned out I had this issue. The itching was my only symptom.

They put me on medication, monitored me closely and induced early. The baby was perfectly healthy, but we might not have been so lucky if we hadn't caught this problem. This condition can lead to stillbirth, so please get checked ASAP.

Ask your OB first and then get a good cream and start rubbing! I thought I would scratch my skin off at times the 1st trimester. I have an 8yo and 2yo and made a game of it to put cream on Mommy! Ask your "15yo" for help! It might be fun! I had to do the cream every day and once in a while twice daily. I would wake up bloody if I didn't from scratching so much in my sleep. Congratulations!!! A.

Please don't ignore this....call your doctor...it can be a condition known as obstetric cholestasis...a friend of mine had it. Normally the itching does not start until the third trimester with this condition, but it can happen much earlier and can be a danger to you and the baby if not treated. Don't mean to scare you, but better safe than sorry. I believe it can be diagnosed with a blood test and easily treated....best of luck to you :o)

Hi - I remember this happening to me with my first pregnancy. The Dr suggested I use a stronger moisturizer on my skin. I did and it went away.

The iron in your prenatal vitamin is the culprit. Little known fact that iron causes itchiness and that feeling that your skin is crawling! As your ob/gyn if you can take the vitamin every other day, and/or switch to one has less iron in it.

I had the same thing during the third trimester of my pregnancy. I used Palmer's Oil. It's for pregnant women and you can get it at Destination Maternity. It helped a lot. Also, Aveno makes a cream that's for itchy skin which helped too.

Hi L.,

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I am sure the itching is driving you nuts. Here is an essential oil recipe that I give to my doula clients... I hope it helps for you!

2 1/2 tsp almond oil
1/2 tsp jojoba oil
1 evening primrose oil capsule
1 vitamin E capsule
4 drops tangerine
4 drops geranium
4 drops lavender
3 drops lemon

Apply after showering- especailly to your growing belly. This can also help with stretch marks.

I wish you all the best in your pregnancy and birth.

Warmly,
C.

I had the same thing with my first pregnancy, but it was only the bottom of my feet and my palms. Try like Eucerin Calming cream or something like that. I also liked the Bert's Bees Mama Bee's leg cream. It's peppermint so it would cool down your skin and give at least a little bit of relief. It only lasted for the first trimester for me so hopefully it will end soon! Good luck and I hope you stop itching soon!

L.,
Sometimes itching has to do with yeast and can thus indicate slightly high blood sugar at the itching times. My arms itched while pregnant and having no sugar at all completely cured it for good.
Best luck,
A.
http://www.nutrimommy.com

What everyone else said and cool oatmeal baths. You can either buy it(expensive, I know) or just grind up reg. oatmeal in a mini chopper until its fine. Whatever you do, don't just dump it out of the packet into to the tub. I did that and had very watery oatmaeal HA!! Hubby had to come and clean out the tub for me, I was too big to do it. Good luck and congrats.......

Hi L.,
I had the same thing in both my pregnancies and it still happens. It is a tissue/calcium uptake issue. The baby takes all your minerals, from your blood and bones (that's why your diet is so important!). So now your skin cells are unbalanced and you have the itching. Talk to your doctor/chiropractor/herbalist/naturopath who can get you the right supplements and amounts. Don't try to dose yourself from the drugstore! Hope this helps!

Dr. Jenn

Hi L.:

You have the option of checking with a qualified healthcare practitioner about this. I believe two main areas to explore are your diet and emotions. Possibilities could include Candida (abundance of yeast in the body) so diet change and getting enzyme tested would greatly help. Also, are there any fears coming up for you at this time?

Suggestions to consider. As a practitioner, I am open to assisting you.

All the best,
Holistic Maternity Practitioner
www.WholeCreations.com