Itching (cholestatic pruritis) during pregnancy

Dr Abha Majumdar
Head, Centre of IVF & Human Reproduction,
Dept of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
Sir Ganga Ram Hospital,
New Delhi

Q: I am 8 months pregnant and suffering from itching from last few weeks. Due to itching my whole body is now full of rashes. This irritates me a lot. But I believe everyone in this stage feels itching. Is it normal? I hope it is not affecting my baby in my womb.

A:This is cholestatic pruritis of pregnancy. Get a serum alkaline phosphatase level done and if it is raised start UDCA 2 tablets 2 to 3 times a day. Itching will stop in 4-5 days. Continue the tablets through out the pregnancy.