The short explanation
Itching is common in pregnancy, but intense itching of the palms and soles without a rash, often worse at night, can be a sign of a liver condition called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, or obstetric cholestasis. It is usually checked with blood tests for liver function and bile acids, so please tell your doctor within the next day or so instead of treating it as dry skin. The condition affects the flow of bile and is linked to some risks for the baby, so doctors monitor it closely and may advise delivery a little earlier. It usually clears soon after birth.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Dark urine, pale stools or yellowing of the skin or eyes with the itching are further reasons to get checked quickly.
- Cholestasis is more common in women with a family history of it or who had it in a previous pregnancy.
- Itching on the belly over stretch marks, or a rash with the itching, is more often due to other skin conditions in pregnancy, which also need a look but are less urgent.
- Cool baths, loose cotton clothes and moisturiser may ease the itch while you arrange tests.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This cannot tell you what is causing the itching. Only blood tests and a clinician's assessment can tell cholestasis apart from other causes.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Could this be cholestasis of pregnancy, and can my liver tests and bile acids be checked?
- If it is cholestasis, how will the baby be monitored?
- Would you plan delivery differently because of this?
- What can I use to ease the itching safely?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the labour ward immediately if the baby moves less, or if you have bleeding, severe belly pain or yellow eyes with feeling very unwell.
Get help the same day
- Get care the same day or the next day for intense itching of the palms and soles in pregnancy.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Mention any itching at your routine antenatal visits.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Prenatal care MedlinePlus (NIH)
- Pregnancy MedlinePlus (NIH)
Who wrote and reviewed this
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- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
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No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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