Itching during pregnancy please help?!?

Hi all I am 32 weeks pregnant and I have started to have problems with itching. It started off on the bump with a few spots and on my left wrist which looks like excema mixed with a bit of heat rash, the spots have mostly gone until I become itchy again. A friend gave me a gel/cream called double base which has helped immensely within minutes of applying I stop itching. However tonight while fast asleep I awake gradually and find myself feeling itchy in differernt places all over my torso (legs were not affected), I looked in the mirror but there were no spots just red blotches where I had been itching so much so I applied the double base cream and once again it stopped the itch! Nothing has changed in the way of different washing powder, however I have put the throw on the bed and taken away the duvet now its a little hotter and I can't remember what I washed that in as funilly enough I only started itching when this went on the bed! Could it be the throw or something else?

I thought I should just mention that I am classed by my midwife team as a no risk pregnancy, the baby is still moving while all this is happening so no worries there! I have an appointment with her on Monday and obviously I will discuss it with her no matter what the outcome, but I am interested to know what this could be and if anyone else has suffered anything similar in there pregnancy? Should I go to my local NHS walk in centre before Monday even if it doesn't get any worse just to get checked over?

Please do not post answers on here unless they are related to the question, also please remember my feelings when answering I do not wish to receive any witty or hurtfull replies from people just wanting to gain two points. (In other words no time wasters) Sorry and thanks in advance.

my daughter was the same,she itched during her last pregnancy and she got double base off the doc as well,she was in a terrible state with them she used to bleed with scratching,and she is 4 mths pregnant now and has started all over again with the spots,the doc said it's nothing to worry about and just keep using the cream to cool them down,feel sorry for you for I know how she is with hers.Hers lasted all through the pregnancy hope yours don't.good luck and congratulations.

i have been pregnant 3 times and all 3 times i have had the same problem with itching, but it seems like in your case it could be the throw that you put on the bed. try washing the throw in the same soap as your clothes and see if that helps.

Try bathing in Aveeno Oatmeal Bath to help with relief. Preganny can cause some strange symtoms sometimes and doctors want to avoid giving meds for the babies safety. If it gets worse call and seek your doctors advice.

You should mention this to your midwife. Sometimes itching in pregnancy can be to do with your liver.

Joan1 is right. I am not saying that you have the liver condition, but i would definitely call midwife and explain your symptoms and ask her if its possible that it could be related to this condition. At least then they could test you and rule it out.

If its not that, try changing the type of clothes you wear. I suffered terribly with itching in pregnancy - i was constantly itching. I started wearing very loose fitting cotton clothing (baggy tops and trousers that sat away from the skin) and the problem went away

Good luck!

I don`t wish to alarm you but it could be obstetric cholestasis as other contributors have mentioned. I never heard of this condition before until I read about it baby magazine when I was pregnant. If your symptoms get any worse I would suggest ringing up NHS direct for an opinion or contacting the maternity unit for advice - they will ask you to go in to get checked out if they are concerned.

"Obstetric cholestasis is a rare complication that occurs during pregnancy and is caused by a build-up of bile (a naturally occurring chemical) in your bloodstream. The exact cause of obstetric cholestasis is not yet known, although some researchers suggest that it may be a result of a reaction to the hormone changes which occur in your body during pregnancy. The condition may also run in families.

Obstetric cholestasis is a rare condition that affects approximately 0.1-1.5% of pregnancies. However, it can cause serious complications.

The main symptom of obstetric cholestasis is intensely itchy skin. The itching is normally worst on your:

* arms,
* legs,
* palms of your hands, and
* soles of your feet.

The itching also tends to be worse at night. Other symptoms of obstetric cholestatis include:

* difficulty sleeping,
* lethargy,
* lack of appetite,
* nausea, and
* jaundice (yellowing of the skin).

An estimated 1 in 5 women experience some itching during their pregnancy. However, for most women, it is a result of the stretching of their skin, as well as an increased blood supply to the skin. If your itching becomes particularly intense, or it is accompanied by any of the other symptoms above, you should contact your GP or midwife for advice.

If you are diagnosed with obstetric cholestasis, you and your baby will be carefully monitored. Medication can help to control the itching, and you may require an induced labour, or caseseran birth, to help ensure that your baby is not affected by the build-up of bile."