Mom Warns Others After Itchiness Causes Pregnancy Scare (Photo)

A mother has shared a post on Facebook to warn others about a condition she developed during pregnancy that could have ended in tragedy if she did not have one surprising symptom.

Several months into her pregnancy, Christina DePino began to feel itchy. It got to the point where it was so uncomfortable that she was unable to sleep.

“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,” DePino told CBS News. 

DePino initially thought the itchiness may have been caused by normal pregnancy skin stretching, as well as the fact that she had recently moved from Louisiana to a drier climate in Monroe, Michigan.

The 28-year-old began to complain about her itchiness on Facebook and asked friends if anybody had a similar experience during pregnancy or if they might know what is causing the unbearable itchiness. 

Some Facebook friends suggested DePino may perhaps be intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy which is a condition in which the flow of bile from the liver is impaired. According to CBS News, ICP most commonly occurs in late pregnancy and intense itching is a common symptom.

DePino looked into the condition and called her doctor to see if that in fact was the cause of the itching. In her 36th week of pregnancy, DePino was officially diagnosed with ICP. 

For reasons that aren’t completely understood, ICP often causes stillbirth after the 37th week of pregnancy.

About a week later, doctors delivered DePino’s baby. Fortunately, everything went well and DePino gave birth to a healthy girl. 

The mother shared her experience in a post on her Facebook page to warn others who may have similar symptoms:

If your pregnant & your itching REALLY bad, don’t ignore it!! 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!!!  (Made this public so you guys can share away!)
(Now I will be the crazy lady running around telling all the preggie ladies to beware! )

For more info on this condition, visit : 

ICPcare.org – they are working to spread awareness!

Sources: CBS News, Christina DePino/Facebook / Photo credit: Pixabay, Christina DePino/Facebook