'Don't ignore it!' Mum reveals risks of itching during pregnancy in viral post
'Now I will be the crazy lady running around telling all the preggie ladies to beware!'
A new mum has warned other women not to 'ignore the itch' after itching during pregnancy turned out to be a symptom of liver disorder that could have led to stillbirth.
Christina DePino began to suffer with extreme itchiness late into her pregnancy, but initially put it down to moving to a drier climate or a pregnancy symptom.
But when her scratching became so severe that her skin began to bleed, she knew there was something wrong.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155175236971457&set=pcb.10155175236996457&type=3&theater
Speaking to CBS news, Christina remembers how painful the constant need to scratch became: 'The itching was so severe that I would wake up and I wouldn't be able to go back to bed, and my legs and arms were scabbed and bleeding from the uncontrollable need to scratch.'
At 36 weeks, the 28-year-old was diagnosed with a disorder that impairs the flow of bile from the liver, called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. She was warned that if she did not deliver her baby quickly, she could suffer a stillbirth.
Thankfully, just a week after being diagnosed, Christina was induced and gave birth to a healthy baby, but is now encouraging other mums to look into itchiness during pregnancy.
GoodtoKnow Newsletter
Parenting advice, hot topics, best buys and family finance tips delivered straight to your inbox.
'My doctor explained that while not all the reasons are understood, after 37 weeks, patients with ICP are at a very high risk of having a stillborn.
'He also explained that induction was still my choice, as it is possible to carry a baby to full term and not have a stillborn.'
https://www.facebook.com/christina.depino/posts/10155175236996457?pnref=story
Christina and her husband Aaron decided that inducing their baby was the best course of action for them, but the mum is now on a mission to try and prevent the same thing happening to another family.
In a viral Facebook post, the mum recounts how friends encouraged her to go to her doctors, which is when she discovered there was something deeply wrong.
'Started having severe itching a few weeks ago, (it was keeping me up at night) thanks to a little Facebook complaining & the urging of Jennifer, Britney & Monica, I got the itch checked out & found out I had pregnancy Cholestasis, which is basically harmless for me - except for the crazy itching - But could have caused a still born after 37 weeks!!
'I was officially diagnosed last week and had to get her out this week! We are so blessed! Thanks guys for giving some amazing advice which may have just saved our precious girl's life! Yeah We are SO BLESSED & in awe!!!'
Now Christina wants to tell other mums her story, saying, 'Now I will be the crazy lady running around telling all the preggie ladies to beware!'
Trusted, informative, and empathetic – GoodToKnow is the ultimate online destination for mums. Established in 2007, our 15-year-strong archive of content includes more than 18,000 articles, 1,500 how-to videos, and 7,000 recipes.
-
Worried about your teen 'being smelly'? They can't help it, according to scientists, and help is on its way to ease the problem
We know that puberty can cause all sorts of smells to emanate from teens - now scientists have revealed exactly what you're smelling, and how evolution contributed.
By Lucy Wigley Published
-
Parenting coach shares 4 'powerful' reframes to try next time it feels like your kid is pushing all your buttons (and #4 is a game changer)
A parenting coach has shared four ways parents can reframe their thoughts when their kid has big emotions. Giving them a try could offer big results in little time.
By Lucy Wigley Published