Mom Warns That Itchiness During Pregnancy Can Be Dangerous for Baby
Forget morning sickness and ankle swelling—itchiness was the symptom that bothered Christina DePino most during pregnancy. And the condition was so severe that it led to an emergency induction for her baby.
“The itching was so severe that I would wake up and I wouldn’t be able to go back to bed, and my legs and arms were scabbed and bleeding from the uncontrollable need to scratch,” DePino tells CBS News. “It got to the point that I was no longer able to sleep at all.”
After picking the brains of friends and family on Facebook, DePino wondered if she may have a condition called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), commonly referred to as cholestasis. Blood tests confirmed this diagnosis by week 36.
Never heard of cholestasis? We don’t blame you; it’s fairly rare, affecting 1 in every 1,000 pregnant women. Hormonal spikes cause a backup of bile flow from the liver, causing fluid to build up in the bloodstream. While this is harmless for moms (minus the insane itchiness it causes), it can be extremely dangerous for a fetus due to the strain a bile backup places on his or her little liver. This can lead to premature birth and in some cases, even stillbirth.
After weighing her option with her doctor, who indicated it is possible to carry a healthy baby to term with cholestasis, DePino decided to get induced at week 37. Her daughter arrived healthy.
Now, DePino is taking to Facebook to share what she’s learned and to encourage pregnant women with severe itchiness to take the symptom seriously.
“Thanks, guys, for giving some amazing advice which may have just saved our precious girl’s life,” she tells her Facebook friends. “We are so blessed and in awe! Now I will be the crazy lady running around telling all the preggie ladies to beware!”
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
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