Itchy skin during pregnancy
Your abdomen may become incredibly itchy during pregnancy, particularly during your final trimester as the skin on your abdomen stretches to its full capacity.
Your skin will become dry and so you should take steps to keep it moisturized as your pregnancy progresses – try natural aloe vera gel or cocoa butter. Calamine lotion can also soothe the itching and some moms swear by natural preparations – try putting milk, honey or oatmeal in the bathtub!!
Some women also report itchiness in their vaginal and rectal areas, which is probably just yet another side-effect of pregnancy hormones. If it persists, or you’re worried it may be an infection, mention it to your OB-GYN or nurse-midwife. talk to your GP or midwife about a safe prescription cream you can use. Talk to your doctor about safe creams to use on your skin.
Some moms-to-be experience very severe itching in late pregnancy, and rarely it can be due to a pregnancy condition called cholestasis. It can occur if pregnancy hormones affect the flow of bile through the liver, causing a build up of bile acids that enter the bloodstream. Itching is the main symptom, and tends to involve the hands and feet. You may also feel extremely tired and notice that your urine is much darker in color than usual. Cholestasis puts your baby at risk of distress, preterm birth and stillbirth, so if you have itchy palms and feet tell your caregiver straightaway.
If you have any unanswered questions, use our answers page to gain wisdom and advice from other moms or our resident experts on this or any other issues you may have during your pregnancy.
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Last Modified: 06/07/2007
Related Chat 5
I had an itchy wrist when pregnant, drove me nuts..but there seemed no medical reason for it. It could have been stress. All i know is that the second i gave birth the itching stopped and my wrist healed within days. How odd!
I had increadibly itchy legs during pregnancy. I mentioned it to my midwife and she also mentioned the obstetric cholestasis. Fortunatley for me it wasn't that and in fact was down to dry skin! The answer was as simple as a body butter type moisturiser on my legs before I went to bed each night and first thing in the morning. The results were instant and nothing short of miraculous. I ended up with such wonderfully smooth legs that I still rub some on whenever I remember and my little one is 6 months old now!
thanks so much for the tip my legs get so itchy!
Oooooh that constant nagging itch!
I just had a major itching session on my tummy, lower part, and it seems to get worse with the heat, almost like a heat rash.
I too have been to the hospital/maternity day care unit to be checked for cholestasis... finally, after almost 2 weeks, I received the results saying all is well. However the itching continues, and every time I give in to the itch I check the stretchmarks, on where it itches most, and realise there are little blistery type bumps... which, after putting on a cold towel and standing outside on the balcony where it's nice and cool, everything seems to calm down.
Does anyone have any ideas? I'm 39 weeks...
M.
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