As your pregnancy progresses and your bump grows, it's quite common to itch on your…

As your pregnancy progresses and your bump grows, it's quite common to itch on your abdomen at times as the skin stretches. Some women develop a hive type rash called Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP), known in United Kingdom as polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP) This rash isn't known to cause any lasting harm to women or their unborn babies.

Chronic itching without a rash can be a sign of a more serious condition called obstetric cholestasis, especially if the itching is focused on the hands, feet or all over. . If the itching is persistant, severe and worsening at night, this should be mentioned to your care provider as soon as possible. Obstetric cholestasis also known as Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), is a condition that affects the liver in pregnancy and may come with other less common signs such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) . If obstetric cholestasis is suspected your midwife or doctor will order a blood test to see how your liver is working and also measure your bile acids. In some cases an earlier birth is recommended to reduce the risk of stillbirth. . Most women diagnosed with obstetric cholestasis will go on to have healthy babies following close monitoring and regular blood tests. . . . . . . . . #pregnancy #midwifery #midwives #studentmidwife #studentmidwives #obstetrics #fertility #labour #childbirth #midwife