Itching during pregnancy - a dangerous sign for the fetus

Itching during pregnancy may be a sign that the health and even the life of the unborn child at risk. Therefore, women should pay attention to such a skin disorder.

cholestasis of pregnancy

When Magdalene Rice began intense itching in the abdomen, the woman was in the 36th week of pregnancy. "It seemed like I had something itching deep under the skin, - says English. - At first the itching could still suffer, but then he became so intense that no matter how much I do not itch, it was impossible to appease."

The midwife advised women to use humidifiers, determined that the cause of itching is a characteristic of pregnancy stretching the skin. Most of these cases do not pose any danger, since itching during pregnancy   most often caused by excessive rush of blood or skin tension. But Margaret disorder is not passed, although the woman tried every possible means to combat it.

Three weeks later, her water broke. The midwife listened to the rhythm of the heartbeat of the fetus and rushed for a doctor. It turned out that the baby shows no signs of life. Prior to that, absolutely healthy boy was born stillborn, causing deep psychological suffering of their parents. After 11 months, Margaret gave birth to a healthy baby girl, and three years later became pregnant again, and faced with the same itch.

At this time, the woman did not risk it and demanded a thorough check of their health. The reason turned out to be itching disease called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy   (VHB) - the most common form of liver disease among pregnant women. One of its symptoms is severe itching, which is not accompanied by a rash. VHB can begin to develop already in the 7th week, although the disease usually occurs in the later stages.

Apparently, secreted during pregnancy hormones affect the liver's ability to transport the woman some chemicals, including bile acids that accumulate in the blood, stimulate nerves and cause itching. The accumulation of toxic bile is very dangerous, especially for the heart of a child. Therefore, treat cholestasis of pregnancy   better to start as early as possible. One of the most effective drugs is ursodeoxycholic acid, which helped to give birth to a healthy baby girl Magdalene.

Some scientists believe that VHB is responsible for a third of all stillbirths, the cause of which is officially unknown. (READ MORE)

Pregnancy and Gynecology

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