PREGNANCY comes with all sorts of side effects, from aching feet to morning sickness.
But one midwife has revealed a strange symptom that pregnant women should never ignore.
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Posting to TikTok, midwife Sarah said if you can’t stop itching you should speak to your doctor, as this could actually be a sign of a serious condition.
She explained: “Are you pregnant and can’t stop itching?
“Especially your palms and your soles? You may have cholestasis of pregnancy – a liver condition that occurs in late pregnancy.
“It triggers intense itching, but without a rash.”
Sarah posted the clip to her 1.5 million TikTok followers and said if you have the condition you should speak to your health care provider immediately.
It’s important to speak to your doctor as it can then lead to complications for the mother or the developing baby.
For the mum, the condition could affect the way the body absorbs fat.
This can lead to poor levels of vitamin K and decreased levels of this are often present in women who have a blood clot.
What is cholestasis and what are the signs you need to know?
By Mamie Serah Mboob
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), also known as obstetric cholestasis is a pregnancy related illnesses that affects the liver.
It can cause serious harm to mother and baby if not addressed. In the UK, ICP affects one in four pregnant women.
What are the symptoms?
Most women experience ICP during the last months of their pregnancy, but it can occur in the early months of pregnancy as well. Accompanied with these symptoms;
- Intense itching (no rash)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Jaundice
- Reduced appetite
- Dark yellow urine
- Discoloured poo
- Belly pain (upper right side)
- Exhaustion
Doctors have not found a clear origin to cholestasis of pregnancy, but sometimes certain factors can play a role, such as: genetics (runs in the family), pregnancy hormones, genetic variants and less digestive fluid.
It is normal for most women to itch during their pregnancy. But when uncontrollable and extreme itching occurs while pregnant, call the doctor. Especially during the third trimester
This condition is rare and future liver problems are uncommon.
The complications are however more severe for baby and can include premature birth.
Other issues previously seen include lung problems from breathing in meconium.
This is the sticky, green substance that usually is collected in the baby’s intestines but can pass into the amniotic fluid if a mother has cholestasis.
In rare circumstances of cholestasis, the baby can also be stillborn.
While this is a rare side effect of pregnancy, there are other symptoms that you might experience.
Feeling sick during pregnancy is common and while this is known as morning sickness it can happen any time of day or night.
It usually starts when you’re around four to six weeks pregnant.
Feeling tired is also a common symptom and is heightened in the first 12 weeks.
Sore breasts and experiencing strange tastes, smells and craving are also side effects you might experience.
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