Hello, I sure would love to get some help with this issue I am having with, itching. This is my sixth pregnancy, and fifth child, and I never had this side effect with ANY of my other pregnancies. I am 21 weeks pregnant, and have been having this issue with itching since I was about 13 weeks. The first couple nights, I was up all night, and thought I had got into some insulation or something like that... but after a lot of thought, I came to the realization that I had not. So about 3 AM, I finally called the nurse line, and the nurse told me that this is a very normal side effect during pregnancy, and the only thing I could do was take a Benadryl. I was taking one per night for the first few weeks, since then I have had to take two every night, and some nights it still don't help. I have talked to my doctor, and she didn't have any other suggestions. Has anyone else had this? Do you have any ideas to help it to quit, or at least ease up some? Thanks in advance for your help!
I guess I forgot to mention the itching is everywhere... even in places you don't itch... if you know what I mean.
L.
PS
I really appreciate all your help, I haven't got any of the oatmeal baths yet, have to wait until hubby gets paid again, but am definately going to try that and some of those lotions too. I'm not going to try everything at once though, don't want to over do it. But want to find something or a combination of things that work.
Also, thanks for the encouragement that the ultrasound tech may be wrong, and I may actually be having a boy. I have been having different symptoms with this pregnancy than I did with my girls, and was hoping for a boy, but was also wondering if being a little older that could be the reason for the symptoms, or a combination of things.
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Try 1/2 cup of Epsom Salt in a warmer bath. Also, try stretches and tea. When I had itching with my 1st son, I focused on trying to relax from inside out. I also ate apples. I don't know why it worked, but it did. Be careful of the tea you drink. I just did blueberry or cinnamon tea. Some teas are not good for pregnancy.
Hello L.. congrats! I experienced itching during the beginning of my pregnancy unill around 3months. My mother suggested taking a oatmeal bath at night before bed and it worked great. You can buy the packets near the bubble bath and bath beads in the grocery or health stores. It worked really good for me.I looked at the other responses, the oatmeal baths is not litterally oatmeal that you eat, it is a certain kind for dry skin in the bath section. It is very good for dry and itchy skin. I don't know if you have it just on your belly, but I didn't, I had it on my legs and arms and you couldn't see any red bumps or marks it just itched. The oatmeal bath followed with oatmeal lotion every noght really helped. Good luck. J.
I havd the same thing with both my pregnancies. However they are both boys. I had it really bad with my first son. I went to the dermatologist thinking I had a skin virus, they told me it was not and that I had to soak in oatmeal baths, take benedryl and they perscribed to me a very low dose of steroid cream to make it thru the really itchy times. I told my OB what I went for and she told me it was very common in women who carry boys and is rare but can happen with girls as well. She said that it may last until I delivered. I was so upset because I had lived with the itch for a month and had three more to go. My ob told me that it was form the babies hormones and DNA not liking my hormones and so it creates a rash and itch. When I got pregnant the second time I thought I was going to have the samething all over again and I was dreading it. Well I found out I was having another boy and at 28 weeks I got the rash and itch again. This time however it only lasted three weeks!!!! Yeah!!!! If you would like more information I have a web site you can go to and the name of it is PUPPPS. The web site that I found the most information on www.http://dermatology.about.com/cs/pregnancy/a/puppp.htm
Good luck
M.
I used Aveeno lotion with Natural Colloidal Oatmeal. They have it in regular lotion and baby lotion, I used the baby stuff. It helped SO much and I got relief almost immediately. The itching went away in about 2 days (using the lotion twice a day).
Towards the end of my pregnancy I started getting itchy, my Dr. wanted to do blood tests to check my liver. You might want to talk to your Dr. about that, or get an opinion from another Dr. if you already talked to your Dr. It could be a pretty serious condition.
Hi L.-
Itching is very normal with pregnancy. I had it from about my 8th month until 8-10 weeks post partum. I did an Aveeno oatmeal bath once a day (you can find it at walgreens). I also used hydrocortisone cream like it was going out of style.
My doctor did give me a pill to take as well a topical steriod cream to apply. I am sad to say that I cannot remember the name of either medications, but there is something that can be done to help you feel more comfortable.
Try the oatmeal baths, and the hydrocortisone cream. If that doesn't help I would ask again if there is anything that can be done. You may want to seek a second opinion if you are not getting the care you think you deserve.
Try this links:
http://www.homemakingcottage.com/mother/pregnancy_itching...
Also maybe ask about the following:
# Corticosteroids applied to the skin (topical) are known to give prompt relief.
# Sometimes oral corticosteroids (eg prednisolone) are needed.
Hi L.,
I'm S., mother of 2 a 17 year old girl and a 3 year old boy. I had the same problem when I was pregnant with my son. Unfortunately, there really isn't a whole lot you can do for the itching. I really feel for you, it can be pretty frustrating especially when it effects your sleep. Mine didn't go away until I gave birth. My doctor said that was pretty much the only cure for it. I'm sorry I couldn't be more help to you. Good luck.
I had a milder case of it with both of my pregnancies and the Aveeno Oatmeal baths seemed to help me. Good Luck - I know it can drive you crazy.
G.
I had this with my son as both of my sisters had and (has) right now. I remember my doctor told me to take a bath in OATMEAL, that was disastrous (sp?) and gross but I was desperate... I highly do not recommend it but it helped soothe for a little bit. Now they have "oatmeal" lotions, My sister uses i think an aveeno, although the itching, doesnt subside totally, she says it provides enough releif! Good luck!
Are you using enough lotion? When I was prego, I couldn't stop itching either. I was talking to my sister about it (she works for a dermotologist) and she said my skin may be a lot drier than normal and to slather on the coaco butter all over. It took about a week of slathering but it finally eased the itching. Hope this helps!
PS: Make sure you are not haveing some reacton to your bed sheets. Since my skin was more sensitive I bought cotton and flannel sheets, that I would rotate pretty frequently!
I itched all over my tummy with both kids. I just kept lotion handy and slathered myself up 2 or 3 times a day - and right before bed. In some shops you can find stuff called Pregnant Belly oil - it's just an oil with vitamin E oil for you to rub on your tummy. My mother gave me some - I think she got it at Wild Oats. I never tooK Benedryl - just slathered myself up. Had hubby help for places I couldn't reach.
Hi there! Itching in pregnancy is awful and i did itch from my 4th month until the day my son was born like a moving itch that went from place to place and could never be relieved because it would just move grrr. I think that its your liver and it gets toxic trying to process everything for you and baby at the same time. I took Benadryl to sleep at night if nothing else worked and baby is just fine. I would also try changing your diet to low fat foods, low sugar which fat can make it worse. Try drinking more water and taking cool showers or oatmeal bath before you go to bed which can help. There are also anti itch creams in the store for pregancy which can be help. Go to your nearest motherhood store and get some of the itch cream.
Good Luck
C.
Palmer's Cocoa Butter lotion didn't work with this 2nd pregnancy very well. I slathered on some Petroleum jelly until that didn't work anymore either. Now I use ErbaOrganics Stretch mark Oil (sold at Target). There are others called Mama Mio or Bellie Oil sold online at www.drugstore.com or www.babycenter.com.
If it still persists, or you're at your week weekly/monthly ob checkup, tell your doctor, so that was she can determine if it's a liver issue. I had a blood draw about my liver with my first pregnancy but it turned out to be negative.
Oh yeah, becareful with using Benadryl cream and Hydrocortisone cream..it could effect the baby..make sure you ask the doc for their advice before doing anything. Nowadays, things change year to year on what's best for your kids.
Good Luck!
George Strait hoof and nail lotion. i know it sounds weird but its natural and realy works. has worked wonders on breast cancer patients that got radiation burns etc. you can buy it at any veterinary supply or feed store. if they dont have it, ask them ot order it. its very inexpensive and not greasy. hope you have a boy. boys love their mommas the best and the most.
I had the same thing-the doctor said there's nothing to do about it except keep lotion handy. I'm sorry, I remember how annoying and even painful it was.
R.
