It is very normal to experience mild itching during the time of pregnancy as your baby bump grows and your skin expands and stretches-in fact, almost a quarter of all pregnant women complain of itchy skin. However, more intense, persistent itchiness could be a symptom of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), a group of liver disorders specific to pregnancy that interfere with the flow of bile.
Though there’s no long-term risk to your health, this condition can be dangerous to your baby if it goes untreated. That’s why you should always inform your doctor if you have significant itching.
What is intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP)?
ICP impairs the functioning of the liver, resulting in a buildup of bile—a fluid produced in the liver to digest fats—in the blood. Itching is triggered when the blood deposits these bile acids into the tissues, which can be uncomfortable but not life-threatening. For your baby, however, elevated bile levels are toxic and can cause complications if left untreated, including preterm birth, fetal distress, meconium in the amniotic fluid, and stillbirth.
What are cholestasis symptoms?
Here’s how to tell the difference between the harmless itching many women experience during pregnancy and ICP: “Itching associated with cholestasis occurs in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, and it’s typically severe, particularly at night,” explains Christine Miller, M.D., a professor of reproductive medicine at the University Of California School Of Medicine. It can be all over the body but is often worse on the palms and soles.”
Tell your doctor promptly if you experience severe itching to rule out the possibility of ICP. He or she will likely order blood tests and bile acid tests, and evaluate your liver function to determine a diagnosis. If you are experiencing severe itching and your doctor is unfamiliar with ICP and resistant to learning more about the condition, get a second opinion.
In the majority of cases, itching is the only symptom reported. However, less common symptoms associated with ICP may include:
- Dark urine and/or pale stool
- Fatigue
- Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and failure to establish breathing
- Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (aka jaundice)
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
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