A former senior NHS midwife is urging pregnant women not to ignore itching on the palms of their hands or the soles of their feet, warning that it could be a sign of a more serious underlying condition.
Lara Basini-Millar, who appeared on One Born Every Minute, said that while many pregnancy symptoms are harmless, this particular sign should prompt women to contact their midwife without delay.
Midwife's warning on itching
Basini-Millar, who has 23 years of experience as a midwife, said: "I've been a midwife for 23 years, and here are things that I would never ignore if I was pregnant again. Some of these might surprise you. Itching, particularly on the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet, and if it's worse at night."
She added: "Because, although itching can be completely harmless, it can also be a sign of a liver condition called intrahepatic cholestasis. And that needs investigating."
What is intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy?
Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP) is a condition that affects how a pregnant woman's liver works. In the UK, ICP affects about 7 in 1000 women (less than 1%), but the condition is much more common among women of Indian-Asian or Pakistani-Asian origin, with up to 15 in 1000 women (1.5%).
It usually happens towards the end of a pregnancy and will get better after a woman has given birth. ICP can cause a number of risks in pregnancy including anxiety or low mood, jaundice, pre-eclampsia and a small, but increased risk of a baby being born early.
Risks and when to seek help
There are no long-term health risks for babies of women with ICP, but it could increase the risks of a child opening their bowels before they are born, which could cause them to get unwell if it enters their lungs during labour. There is a small increased chance that a baby will need to go to the neonatal unit when they are born, especially if they have been born early. Once a woman has suffered from ICP, there is also an increased chance they will get the condition again in future pregnancies.
Women who are pregnant and have itchy skin should get in touch with a GP if the itchy skin is affecting their daily life, it does not get better after treatment from a pharmacist, or it keeps coming back, they have eczema, or have a new rash, lump or swelling. However, women should call 111 or their dedicated maternity unit to get urgent medical help if they're pregnant and have very itchy skin that keeps them awake at night, have itchy palms or soles of your feet or the itching is worse at night.
