The pregnancy itch that should never be ignored

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The pregnancy itch that should never be repetitive mum
Have you noticed that only about
ignored 10 per cent of your commands are
met with cooperation? For the other 90 per cent of the
June 3, 2015 34 reading now Comments 1 time it’s all about repetition, repetition, repetition.

Letitia Rowlands
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Harlow Rose died at 33 weeks gestation as her mother had Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Photo: Supplied

When Lisa McNally developed a terrible itch at 28 weeks pregnant, her doctor assured her it was Photo Gallery
normal. Nothing could have been further from the truth.

Three weeks later the Melbourne mum was left devastated when a routine visit to her obstetrician
revealed her unborn daughter Harlow Rose had died in utero.
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"The obstetrician used the doppler to check the baby's heartbeat, but no heartbeat could be found. toddlers and Michael kids
I then had an ultrasound which confirmed Harlow Rose had died," Ms McNally says. preschoolers Rangamiz

"It was devastating. I just couldn't believe it as I had felt her being really active the night before."

Baby Harlow Rose was stillborn the following day, December 30 last year, after Ms McNally
insisted on being induced and delivering her daughter.
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inspiration Cambridge Kate meets baby sister
Blood tests revealed the mother had been suffering from  Intrahepatic Cholestassis - a serious Middleton shows
pregnancy complication that affects a woman's liver and, if left untreated, can be fatal for unborn off new Princess

babies.

Harlow Rose could have survived if the condition had been diagnosed and treated with
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medication when Ms McNally first complained of the itch.

http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/the-pregnancy-itch-that-should-never-be-ignored-20150605-ghflky.html[07/06/2015 7:56:41 PM]

The pregnancy itch that should never be ignored

Ms McNally is still struggling to come to terms with the loss of Harlow Rose and is sharing her
family's story in a bid to spread awareness of ICP and prevent the loss of more babies.
We are discussing...
"The condition is not heard of very often in Australia and even many doctors don't know to look out
People with girls (toys) 2
for the symptoms," she said.
WWYD- Homeless father. 37
"That needs to change, because the consequences of ICP being untreated are just to serious. Suspension of disbelief 1
Refusing work on moral grounds?
"The pain of losing a baby and knowing she could have been saved by medication is just 486
devastating."  i hate daycare 36
HELP- Fundraising Gurus? 13
ICP is a complication where pregnancy hormones (particularly oestrogen) affect the liver by Best items to buy new vs second
preventing the flow of bile into the intestines. Bile usually aids with the breakdown and absorption hand 11
of food after digestion, but when a women has ICP, bile and other toxins accumulate in the IVF and sex *red face* 2
bloodstream. Ongoing bar thread #82 185
asking parents for money to buy an
The condition usually begins in the final trimester in the last 10 weeks of pregnancy, although it expensive car. wdyt? 150
can begin earlier. 

The main symptom of ICP include severe itching which is not accompanied by a rash. The itching
usually occurs on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, but it can affect other areas of What's hot on EB
the body. It's usually worse at night. It won't cause a rash, as the itching is under the skin.
Have you seen these
Ms McNally described her itch as "intense" and said it started on her lower legs, feet and hands missing children?
The Australian Federal Police has
and was worse during the evening. released the following information
to locate some of Australia's missing children through
"It was like no itch I had ever heard before," she said. "It was unbearable and was like an internal
the Family Law Court.
itch rather than an itch that is felt on the outside of the skin like."

Left untreated ICP leads to an increased risk of foetal distress and stillbirth. Prev Next

It is thought this is because bile acids crossing the placenta could cause the it to malfunction and

the baby could experience oxygen deprivation.  Find us on Facebook

There is also a higher chance of the baby passing meconium (its first bowel movement) while still Essential Baby
in the womb. This can lead to meconium aspiration, where the baby's airways are blocked when Like
You like this.
the meconium leaks into the amniotic fluid. Like

In Australia ICP affects less than 1 per cent of women. It is thought to be a genetic condition You and 426,929 others like Essential Baby.426,929
with women more likely to develop it if a family member, such as the mother or a sister, have also people like Essential Baby.

had it in their pregnancies.

Once diagnosed, doctors may prescribe ursodeoxycholic acid – this boosts liver function and
diminishes the itching. However, the only way for the condition to end completely is for the woman
to give birth.

For this reason pregnant women with ICP will usually deliver around 35-38 weeks of pregnancy. 

Since losing Harlow Rose Ms McNally and partner Peta have become determined to raise
Top baby names
awareness of the disease that left their family shattered.

The couple, who have eight other children between them ranging in age from 18 years to 17
months, has launched a GoFund Me account to raise money for ICP Support. They have also
started a Facebook page In Memory of Harlow Rose.

"We just want all pregnant women to be aware of ICP and question whether an itch is really just a
harmless pregnancy itch or something more serious," Ms McNally said.

"If you have an itch without a rash, insist on being tested for ICP with a bile acid test. 

"Sometimes you will have to force the issue as some doctors don't know much about ICP
themselves.

"But if it means saving the life of your baby then it is worth making the effort."
Baby Names
The numbers are in and we can now bring you the 2014
More information on ICP can be found on the ICP Support website. top baby name list for Australia.

 
IN THE NEWS TODAY

 
THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

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The pregnancy itch that should never be ignored

 
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1 comment so far

“
on 23rd of May, 2015 I gave birth to my son, Noah. I started feeling that horrible itch on the 33rd
week of pregnancy. On 35th decided to see a doctor about my "allergy". She decided to do the ICP
test just accidentally. Just to try. And it worked. I am grateful for that. That she decided to look for the
ICP. the next day after I was diagnosed with the ICP, I went to the hospital and I was having
medication everyday for a month. And it miricalously worked. even doctors said that women recover
from ICP rarely. I was lucky. I have birth when it was 40 weeks and 2 days of pregnancy. And now
after labour the itch is gone and we are both healthy and happy. Everything depends on the doctor.
Women, pay attention to what your body is saying.
Have a healthy happy life. :)

Karolina Lithuania June 05, 2015, 7:36PM

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The pregnancy itch that should never be ignored

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