ITCHY Pregnant Belly! Help!

Updated on June 18, 2008
S.B. asks from Los Angeles, CA
5 answers

I am 30 weeks pregnant. About two weeks ago my belly started itching really badly. I've been using Palmer's Cocoa Butter for stretch marks. Then my husband suggested using Aloe Vera. I used it for a couple of days and I developed this huge red bumpy rash on my stomach that was 10 times more itchy than before. I stopped using the Aloe and my Dr. recommended using Calamine lotion. The rash went away after a few days, but the itching is driving me nuts! I look like a gorilla constantly scratching myself! It's so bad that I can't even sleep at night.
I know pregnant woman have itchy bellies, but to this extent? Is this normal? Is there anything I can use to get some relief?
Thank you for your time and advise. =)

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C.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

S.:

I had the exact thing happen to me when I was pregnant. My OB had experience with this condition and knew exactly what to test me for. Please read up on what I'm about to tell you and then see your OB ASAP! There is a condition called Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP). It's main symptom is itching that isn't helped by any product. There is an excellent website called itchymoms.com on this condition. You'll need a blood test that test the bile acid level in your blood. That's all that's needed to determine if you have this condition. The main danger with ICP is that it can cause your baby to be stillborn. This usually happens after you 36th week. Thankfully, it doesn't happen often, but it can. Unfortunately, many OBs are totally ignorant about this condition, so be prepared to arm yourself with copies of medical studies, etc. Demand to have the lab test! I was lucky in that my doctor was knowledgeable about this issue and when I tested positive, he referred me to a high-risk specialist who had a lot of experience with it, and they delivered my baby early. Which was lucky, because conditions went south for me and my OB has no doubt my daughter would have been stillborn in a couple of days time! I really don't mean to scare you, but you have to act fast! Good luck!

C.

1 mom found this helpful
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G.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi, I use Bio-oil and LOVE it! I used it with my last pregnancy and had no stretch marks at the end. I find the itchiness for me was from dryness so it really helped with that too.

xx

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K.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

i used vitamin e oil (approx $4 for a small bottle at sav-on) OR olive oil (which is the closest oil to your natural oils in your skin) - worked like a charm! hang in there, you're almost cooked!

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E.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I don't want to scare you, but my sister-in-law had the itchy belly and it turned out to be a symptom of some condition--I can't remember the name right now--but it was dangerous to her and her baby. Do a google search on itching in pregnancy and you should be able to find out what I'm talking about.

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J.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi!
I am due same time as you. I found Vitamin E oil to be the only thing to help relieve the itching. I am going crazy scratching until I tried this. They have it at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's. I use it 2x a day and then put lotion on after.
Hope it works for you. ;o)
J.

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