Thanks very much, jo. It's good to know I can turn to people here for advice, or just to vent my anxieties.

I got my results through today. The good news is that they came back all clear, but my skin is still itching like mad! Does anyone know what else may be causing it? It doesn't seem to coincide with use of any cosmetics or any particular food, we haven't changed our washing powder (which is non-bio anyway). Are there any other conditions that develop during pregnancy that could be causing it? Any suggestions would be gratefully received, it's driving me mad!

Just itchy skin hun

so glad your results came back clear

Go get some aquaeous SP? cream from the chemist, it is dead cheap for a big tub and that should releive the itching, also Magicool spray is good

If it carries on though and gets too mch, get then to test again just to make sure as your levels could have been too low to show anything

Hi Cloughie, sorry I didn't see this but I'm glad your tests came back ok but as Jo said make sure you insist on being retested if you carry on itching. Where is the itching?

Just to update on this thread I was finally diagnosed with OC and am having my baby 3 weeks early. I am so glad that I was insistent and stamped my feet because even though my levels have gone down since I've been taking the medication they are still high. When you have this the bile levels can triple in 24 hours so its important that they keep monitering you and that you are able to have an early delivery.

I'm glad your levels are ok Cloughie but if you are itching on the hands and feet in particular and its worst at night please insist on being retested.

Hi skatty. The itching does tend to be worse at night, but I figured that it was probably because there was nothing to take my mind off it. The itching isn't confined to my hands and feet, though - it's all over, but probably worst on my arms and legs.

I'm glad your situation seems to be sorted now.

I'm seeing the consultant again on Tuesday. The itching has been more or less constant since Thursday night, if it continues over the next day or so I'll be sure to mention it to the consultant.

Thanks to you and jo for the advice. Jo - I've got a tub of aquaeous cream I used to use for my son's eczema, I'll give that a try tonight.

It's really weird you say it is mainly arms and legs
as thats where i was worse too, even though they tell you to look out for it on hands and feet.
And yeah deff mention it tommorow if it feels no better
Good luck hun

Skatty just out of interest are you haveing to take that tablet that is like a smartie??

On the BBC health link you posted it mentions the arms and legs as some of the areas that get the most intense itching, although none of the others seem to mention it - as you say, they just mention the hands and feet.

What does also worry me a bit is that I have been much more tired over the last couple of weeks, which I had just put down to being in the latter stages of pregnancy, but now I'm wondering. Also, I've been permanently hot, which I thought was a bit weird, because it's been a bit cooler of late. My appetite also isn't what it used to be. Then again, that could also be because my stomach is getting crushed! It's so difficult to know, because most of the symptoms are perfectly normal during the latter part of pregnancy anyway!

All I know is that I didn't suffer from this extreme tiredness, overheating, loss of appetite or itching with my last pregnancy. The itching is still with me today, maybe not quite so severe, but definitely still there. Fingers crossed the consultant doesn't just dismiss it tomorrow.

It seems silly, but I'm probably MORE worried now that the results have come back all clear, in case they have missed something, because something has to be causing it. I just don't want the baby to be in danger.

Skatty just out of interest are you haveing to take that tablet that is like a smartie??[/quote]

Hi Jo. my tablets are big capsules with powder inside.

Cloughie I also was tired and my appetite went. How is your urine? MIne was very dark and still is a lot of the time. If your arms and legs are itchy and it worst at night and not on the stomache then insist on a retest. Have you looked at the itchymoms.com site? There is good info on there and the coordinater answers any questions you may have really quickly. The doctor I saw said that the itching can start before the results start to show.

Its wierd but I think this is much more common than people think. My friend had a baby 5 years ago and was up all night with itchy feet at the end of her pregnancy. She was tested and it came back clear and she just put up with it but went into labour early which OC can cause. She now gets itchy feet every month before her period which can happen for some women. Now I have been diagnosed she is going to be really aware and insist on regular testing if she has itching in her next pregnancy.

I cannot imagine what a demanding princess the people at the hospital think I am but every demand has been worth it because I was right in the end. If you have a feeling something is up you are in the best position to know, its your body afterall. Please don't let them dismiss any concerns you have. I do hope you are ok and if you do get diagnosed the tablets really help the itching

stamp feet and throw a paddy 'til they listen thats my advice

Skatty i was on 15 tablets a day!!!!
iron
antihistamine
the smartie one( can't remembr what it was but it had chocolate inside!!)
and ones to do more with OC can't remember what they called either!!

I agree it is a lot more common than what people think
But i won't start on that rant

What time are you seeing consultant Cloughie???

Jo - I've got my scan at 3.30pm, and then I'm seeing the consultant afterwards.

Skatty - my urine has been dark most of the week, but today is much lighter again. Coincidentally, the itching has eased off a lot more over the last 24 hours.

Well good luck for later but make sure you tell them that you want to be monitered regularly as the levels can go up and down.

OK, I'm back from my appointment. They repeated to me that all blood results were fine and prescribed me an anti-histamine for the itching, so I can get some sleep at night. However, one of the blood results wasn't back, so they can't rule it out completely. But my platelet levels are also dropping, apparently, which is a cause for concern, so they want to see me next week to take more bloods. I also have an excess of amniotic fluid, which they need to monitor closely. They said that taking all of this into consideration, and the fact the the baby seems to be a bit on the large side, it's a distinct possibility that they might induce me early.

My next appointment is next Tuesday, I'll keep you posted!

wow a week seems such a long time

it's good that you got the anti hystemines
when does the other blood come back?

and what is the excess fluid ?

sorry not heard of that before

ooh you gonna have your baby soon

Hi Cloughie, what is that about the platelets, is that to do with anaemia?

If you have OC antihistamines wont work, they may help you sleep but they wont work on the itch as it is caused by the bile acids and histamine is something your body produces when you have an allergic reaction.

Anyway the main thing is they are seeing you regularly and you should have your baby soon

My next lot of blood results should be back in time for my next visit next Tuesday. A low platelet level in the blood has implications in blood clotting, so may lead to abnormal bleeding (of the mother) during or after birth. It can also be a sign of pre-eclampsia, but as I have no other symptoms, I think it is unlikely to be.

The excess amniotic fluid could be caused by gestational diabetes, although I have already had a glucose tolerance test earlier in my pregnancy and it came back negative. Another cause could be a foetal abnormality , although everything looked to be OK on the scan. It can lead to preterm labour and also a greater risk of an umbilical cord prolapse or placental abruption when my waters break. There is also a risk of stillbirth .