Pregnancy and Home Birth

Pregnancy Itching

Sheilah — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 04:50:22 +0000

I just had to share the results of this little assignment my physician gave me. I had pregnancy itching. Fierce itching. I scratched myself at night sometimes until my skin bled. My arms, legs, and torso.
Itching during pregnancy can be due to a few different things. For me, it is a normal consequence of being near the end of my pregnancy. However, since I have had a few babies, my physician was concerned because after you’ve had your first, itching isn’t really all that common apparently, especially all over like I had. So he wrote it down on a piece of paper for me and asked me to check it out for myself. (He knows me so well.) So of course, I did.
Upon doing so, I immediately understood his concern. What seems to be normal for me, could actually be indicative of complications. Like I said before, the itching can be due to a few different things. It is note worthy, and if you have this issue yourself, I highly recommend you learn about itching problems yourself, so you can informatively discuss any concerns you may have with your physician.

Here are some tidbits of what I discovered about pregnancy itching, or as my doctor wrote down: Pruritus Associated Papules + Pustule (or PAPP).

Now if you search the ‘net for PAPP, a bunch of stuff comes up, some of it pregnancy related and some of it not, so I found it best to actually put in the full wording. I had the best luck at Medscape Today from WebMD. I found a very informative article titled: Specific Pregnancy Dermatoses

The article explains four “diseases” which may be the cause of itching during pregnancy:
1.) Pemphigoid gestationis (PG) (herpes gestationis).[Not to worry, this is not actually herpes and the outlook is generally thought to be "good" for both mom and baby.]

2.) Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, toxic erythema of pregnancy, toxemic rash of pregnancy, late onset prurigo of pregnancy). [Again, prognosis for mom and baby is still good. This usually only occurs toward the end of first time pregnancies but may occur with multiple birth pregnancies like twins, triplets, etc., also.]

3.) Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) (cholestasis of pregnancy, obstetric cholestasis, jaundice of pregnancy, pruritus gravidarum, prurigo gravidarum, icterus gravidarum, cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy). [Is a genetic issue having to do with the flow of bile from the liver being blocked. It is reversible according to the article, but this it the one you need to watch out for; it can lead to prematurity, fetal distress, or stillbirth. Other symptoms included can be found at this website: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/cholestasispregnancy.html

4.) Atopic eruption of pregnancy (AEP) (prurigo of pregnancy, prurigo gestationis, pruritic folliculitis of pregnancy, early onset prurigo of pregnancy, eczema in pregnancy). This is apparently the most frequent type of pregnancy itching. This includes many of the differential diagnosis’, which are simply other possibilities.

My physician was prepared to treat me for any “differential diagnosis” at my request which would have been things like allergies, scabies, or a number of other things that might make your skin itch.

So, chances are that itching during pregnancy probably isn’t a big deal, but because of the few times that it may be, it is really important to know the different indications and causes of itching during pregnancy. Please, get informed and discuss any further questions with a qualified physician.

Stay great and at the risk of sounding like a mama hen: “Don’t scratch!” LOL

Sheilah

Antibiotics and Breastfeeding with Regards to Mastitis

Sheilah — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:58:14 +0000

Okay, a quick run-down of some things that I have found which might be helpful when considering Mastitis, Breast Feeding, and Antibiotics. An update of the situation is long overdue.
Prior Post
First off, I have explained some of the dangers of certain antibiotics in a previous post, Antibiotics and Breastfeeding. Not that antibiotics are always bad, but I can’t stress enough that you really ought to look into things seriously if you want to maintain optimal health for you and your infant. Sometimes antibiotics are incredibly helpful.
Secondly, learn the facts for your sake and your baby’s don’t just blindly take somebody else’s word for it, not even mine.
Thirdly, if you were to avoid antibiotics, what might help?

Alternative Remedy?

…manual stripping of pus from the infected breasts of lactating women appears to be effective in preventing breast abscesses.

As a breastfeeding supporter and soon to be breastfeeding again (I’m due November 25th, 2009), I think this is a good tidbit to know. As a dairy farmer’s daughter, I can also tell you that this method is used for the cows too; in efforts to keep antibiotic use down in the herd as well (antibiotics in the milk mean the milk should not go in the tank for sale, which means the farmer looses precious income).
Manual stripping isn’t really easy, but when it comes to the health of me and my baby, I’ll do it.

I find it helpful to find a quiet, private place to be for a length of time because sometimes it’s hard to get started. The let down (getting the milk to come out) can be very different manually than it is when your baby is requiring it from you.
Relax as best you can, and if necessary, find humor in the situation rather than embarrassment. It is a helpful and necessary remedy, no reason for embarrassment at all actually. (I’ll admit though, I have gotten a touch pink before; like the first time my hubby walked in and had a surprised expression on his face. )

Other helpful tidbits

mastitis causes and management

warm compress to help stimulate let down,
soothing showers, and
gentle massage as well.

These things can help if you are having a hard time with manually stripping pus out.

Later in the same section, they also discuss the use of antibiotics, and it seems my opinion does not stand alone. (That is because I do my research folks. It pays to do good research, really.)

Now, because I like what I have read in the excerpted chapter linked above, I’m going to go look for the remainder of that book. If anyone has it or knows what it is, please let me know in case I don’t find it. As you know, I love a good resource.

Keep on learning.
*Sheilah*

Nuchal Translucency Scan?

Sheilah — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 06:46:18 +0000

What is anuchal translucency scan?

3D/4D machine

This is an awesome piece of technology. One of the doctor’s favorite things to do with it isultrasound forprenatal patients. He has plans to be certified for nuchal translucency scans by the end of the year. That means that he will be able to use the 3-D/4-D machine to do a very detailed ultrasound and he will be able to scan for possible abnormalities, without doing invasive testing such asamniocentesis (where a large needle is inserted into the amniotic sac to extract fluid for screening).

Nuchal translucency thickness is found in the neck of thefetus. By measuring this, the possibility ofDown Syndrome (also known as trisomy 21) can often be detected. So far as I can find in a quick search for you, this screening is usually done between 11 and 13 weeks of gestation (pregnancy).

The Green Journal

increased nuchal translucency thickness is the most important ultrasonographic marker of trisomy 21.

If you have any further questions, ask away and I’ll see what else I can find for you. What cool technology and I’m so excited that it’s available in our little ole rural area here!

Be well and Birth well.
Sheilah