12 answers

Pregnancy Itching @ Night ... Can Anyone Help?

Hello, I sure would love to get some help with this issue I am having with, itching. This is my sixth pregnancy, and fifth child, and I never had this side effect with ANY of my other pregnancies. I am 21 weeks pregnant, and have been having this issue with itching since I was about 13 weeks. The first couple nights, I was up all night, and thought I had got into some insulation or something like that... but after a lot of thought, I came to the realization that I had not. So about 3 AM, I finally called the nurse line, and the nurse told me that this is a very normal side effect during pregnancy, and the only thing I could do was take a Benadryl. I was taking one per night for the first few weeks, since then I have had to take two every night, and some nights it still don't help. I have talked to my doctor, and she didn't have any other suggestions. Has anyone else had this? Do you have any ideas to help it to quit, or at least ease up some? Thanks in advance for your help!

I guess I forgot to mention the itching is everywhere... even in places you don't itch... if you know what I mean.

L.

PS
I really appreciate all your help, I haven't got any of the oatmeal baths yet, have to wait until hubby gets paid again, but am definately going to try that and some of those lotions too. I'm not going to try everything at once though, don't want to over do it. But want to find something or a combination of things that work.

Also, thanks for the encouragement that the ultrasound tech may be wrong, and I may actually be having a boy. I have been having different symptoms with this pregnancy than I did with my girls, and was hoping for a boy, but was also wondering if being a little older that could be the reason for the symptoms, or a combination of things.

What can I do next?

So What Happened?™

I

Featured Answers

Try 1/2 cup of Epsom Salt in a warmer bath. Also, try stretches and tea. When I had itching with my 1st son, I focused on trying to relax from inside out. I also ate apples. I don't know why it worked, but it did. Be careful of the tea you drink. I just did blueberry or cinnamon tea. Some teas are not good for pregnancy.

More Answers

Hello L.. congrats! I experienced itching during the beginning of my pregnancy unill around 3months. My mother suggested taking a oatmeal bath at night before bed and it worked great. You can buy the packets near the bubble bath and bath beads in the grocery or health stores. It worked really good for me.I looked at the other responses, the oatmeal baths is not litterally oatmeal that you eat, it is a certain kind for dry skin in the bath section. It is very good for dry and itchy skin. I don't know if you have it just on your belly, but I didn't, I had it on my legs and arms and you couldn't see any red bumps or marks it just itched. The oatmeal bath followed with oatmeal lotion every noght really helped. Good luck. J.

1 mom found this helpful

Try 1/2 cup of Epsom Salt in a warmer bath. Also, try stretches and tea. When I had itching with my 1st son, I focused on trying to relax from inside out. I also ate apples. I don't know why it worked, but it did. Be careful of the tea you drink. I just did blueberry or cinnamon tea. Some teas are not good for pregnancy.

Hi there! Itching in pregnancy is awful and i did itch from my 4th month until the day my son was born like a moving itch that went from place to place and could never be relieved because it would just move grrr. I think that its your liver and it gets toxic trying to process everything for you and baby at the same time. I took Benadryl to sleep at night if nothing else worked and baby is just fine. I would also try changing your diet to low fat foods, low sugar which fat can make it worse. Try drinking more water and taking cool showers or oatmeal bath before you go to bed which can help. There are also anti itch creams in the store for pregancy which can be help. Go to your nearest motherhood store and get some of the itch cream.

Good Luck

C.

I itched all over my tummy with both kids. I just kept lotion handy and slathered myself up 2 or 3 times a day - and right before bed. In some shops you can find stuff called Pregnant Belly oil - it's just an oil with vitamin E oil for you to rub on your tummy. My mother gave me some - I think she got it at Wild Oats. I never tooK Benedryl - just slathered myself up. Had hubby help for places I couldn't reach.

Are you using enough lotion? When I was prego, I couldn't stop itching either. I was talking to my sister about it (she works for a dermotologist) and she said my skin may be a lot drier than normal and to slather on the coaco butter all over. It took about a week of slathering but it finally eased the itching. Hope this helps!

PS: Make sure you are not haveing some reacton to your bed sheets. Since my skin was more sensitive I bought cotton and flannel sheets, that I would rotate pretty frequently!

George Strait hoof and nail lotion. i know it sounds weird but its natural and realy works. has worked wonders on breast cancer patients that got radiation burns etc. you can buy it at any veterinary supply or feed store. if they dont have it, ask them ot order it. its very inexpensive and not greasy. hope you have a boy. boys love their mommas the best and the most.

I had the same thing-the doctor said there's nothing to do about it except keep lotion handy. I'm sorry, I remember how annoying and even painful it was.
R.

Hi L.,

I'm S., mother of 2 a 17 year old girl and a 3 year old boy. I had the same problem when I was pregnant with my son. Unfortunately, there really isn't a whole lot you can do for the itching. I really feel for you, it can be pretty frustrating especially when it effects your sleep. Mine didn't go away until I gave birth. My doctor said that was pretty much the only cure for it. I'm sorry I couldn't be more help to you. Good luck.

Required Fields

Our records show that we already have a Mamapedia or Mamasource account created for you under the email address you entered.

Please enter your Mamapedia or Mamasource password to continue signing in.

Required Fields

, you’re almost done...

Since this is the first time you are logging in to Mamapedia with Facebook Connect, please provide the following information so you can participate in the Mamapedia community.

As a member, you’ll receive optional email newsletters and community updates sent to you from Mamapedia, and your email address will never be shared with third parties.

By clicking "Continue to Mamapedia", I agree to the Mamapedia Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.