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Itching and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

Itching is common in pregnancy. Usually it's thought to be caused by raised levels of certain chemicals in the blood, such as hormones.

Later, as your bump grows, the skin of your tummy (abdomen) is stretched and this may also feel itchy.

However, itching can be a symptom of a liver condition called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), also known as obstetric cholestasis (OC).

ICP needs medical attention. It affects around 1 in 140 pregnant women in the UK.

Symptoms of ICP

The main symptom is itching, usually without a rash. For many women with ICP, the itching is often:

Other symptoms can include:

Symptoms of ICP typically start from around 28 weeks of pregnancy, but it's possible to develop the condition earlier.

Call your midwife or GP if you have itching that's:

  • mild or distressing, possibly worse at night
  • anywhere on your body, but may be worse on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet

Feeling itchy like this can be a sign of ICP and needs to be checked.

Mild itching

Wearing loose clothes may help prevent itching, as your clothes are less likely to rub against your skin and cause irritation.

You may also want to avoid synthetic materials and opt for natural ones, such as cotton, instead. These are "breathable" and allow the air to circulate close to your skin.

You may find having a cool bath or applying lotion or moisturiser can help soothe the itching.

Some women find that products with strong perfumes can irritate their skin, so you could try using unperfumed lotion or soap.

Mild itching is not usually harmful to you or your baby, but it can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition, particularly if you notice it more in the evenings or at night.

Let your midwife or doctor know if you are experiencing itching so they can decide whether you need to have any further investigations.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a potentially serious liver disorder that can develop in pregnancy.

Normally, bile acids flow from your liver to your gut to help you digest food.

In ICP, the bile acids do not flow properly and build up in your body instead. There's no cure for ICP, but it should go once you've had your baby.

ICP seems to run in families, but it can happen even if there is no family history. It is more common in women of south Asian origin, affecting around 1 in 70 to 80 pregnancies.

If you have had ICP in a previous pregnancy, you have a high chance of developing it again in another pregnancy.

Some studies have found that babies whose mothers have ICP have a higher chance of being born prematurely or stillborn.

Because of the link with stillbirth, you may be offered induction of labour. This could be any time from 35 weeks, depending on the level of bile acids in your blood.

If you have ICP, you will probably be advised to give birth in hospital under a consultant-led maternity team.

Diagnosis and treatment of ICP

ICP is diagnosed by excluding other causes of the itch. Your doctor will probably talk to you about your medical and family history and advise you to have some blood tests.

These will include tests to check your liver function (LFT) and measure your bile acid levels (BA).

Monitoring your condition

If you are diagnosed with ICP, you will have regular liver blood tests (LFTs) and bile acid measurement tests so your doctor can monitor your condition.

Initially, you may be given these tests every week. You may then be given more, or less, frequent tests depending on the results and your symptoms.

Creams and medicines for ICP

Creams, such as aqueous cream with menthol, are safe to use in pregnancy and can provide some relief from itching.

A medicine called ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) can be prescribed to try to relive itching. But recent evidence suggests it may not be effective in reducing bile acids and easing itching.

UDCA is considered safe to take in pregnancy, although it is prescribed on what is known as an "informed consent" basis as it has not been properly tested in pregnancy. It is usually only prescribed by a hospital doctor.

A possible alternative, which can be helpful if itchiness is keeping you awake at night, is antihistamine medicine, such as chlorphenamine. Chlorphenamine tends to cause drowsiness so it can also help with sleep problems as well as itchiness. If you do feel drowsy do not drive or operate machinery.

You may also be offered a vitamin K supplement. This is because ICP can affect your absorption of vitamin K, which is important for healthy blood clotting.

Most experts on ICP only prescribe vitamin K if the mother-to-be reports pale poo, has a known blood clotting problem, or has very severe ICP from early in pregnancy.

If you are diagnosed with ICP, your midwife and doctor will discuss your health and your options with you.

Further information

There is information about obstetric cholestasis on the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG) website, including what it means for you and your baby, and the treatment that's available.

You can also get information about intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) on the British Liver Trust website.

The charity ICP Support provides information about ICP. You can also watch a video about living with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) on the ICP support website featuring mums and clinical experts.