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What Causes Severe Itching On Arms, Legs And Abdomen During Pregnancy?
Question: My wife is 37+3 weeks pregnant. She has moderate, sometimes severe, itching since about 30 weeks of pregnancy. Itching is mostly on arms, legs and tummy. Soles and palm itch as well. Itching tends to increase in the evening. Her gynaecologist said it could be due to hormones. Based on another opinion we got an LFT today. SGOT is 32 and SGPT is 57. Does this indicate obstetric cholestasis?
Brief Answer:
Due to obstetric cholestasis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
The mild rise in the liver enzymes can be due to increased load on the liver due to pregnancy or due to pregnancy related hepatic cholestasis.
The enzyme levels will return back to normal once she delivers the baby. If the itching is intense then she can apply coconut oil on the skin and get ursodeoxycholic acid prescribed from her gynecologist for relief.
Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Rakhi-Tayal
Due to obstetric cholestasis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
The mild rise in the liver enzymes can be due to increased load on the liver due to pregnancy or due to pregnancy related hepatic cholestasis.
The enzyme levels will return back to normal once she delivers the baby. If the itching is intense then she can apply coconut oil on the skin and get ursodeoxycholic acid prescribed from her gynecologist for relief.
Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Rakhi-Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks. Itching intensifies usually in the night. Not much during the day. Is there any risk going up to 40 weeks? Is early delivery recommended?
Brief Answer:
You can wait till 40 weeks.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Itching or mild rise in liver enzymes is not an indication for an early labor. You can wait till 40 weeks and go for a regular check up meanwhile.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
You can wait till 40 weeks.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Itching or mild rise in liver enzymes is not an indication for an early labor. You can wait till 40 weeks and go for a regular check up meanwhile.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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