As your pregnancy progresses, stretching skin and hormonal changes can make your skin feel dry or itchy. Mild itching during pregnancy is common.
However, if you develop itching that:
- becomes worse at night
- mainly affects the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet
you should contact your healthcare provider. In some cases, this may be a sign of cholestasis of pregnancy (also called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, or ICP), a liver condition that can occur during pregnancy.
Cholestasis of pregnancy is relatively uncommon, but if you had it in a previous pregnancy, the risk of developing it again is higher.
How is cholestasis diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider may recommend blood tests to check:
- liver function
- bile acid levels
These tests are used to help diagnose cholestasis.
What happens if I have cholestasis?
If you are diagnosed with cholestasis of pregnancy, your care team will usually monitor you more closely throughout the remainder of your pregnancy.
Treatment may include:
- medication to help reduce itching
- blood tests
- additional fetal monitoring
In some situations, especially if bile acid levels become high or symptoms are severe, your provider may recommend delivery before your due date.
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