ICP in Pregnancy: My Experience with Itching, Diagnosis & Recovery

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Pregnancy really is such a beautiful journey, isn’t it? The excitement, the fun, the endless food (courtesy: over-enthusiastic hubby) … and of course all those dreamy Pinterest-inspired daydreams we stitch together.

But alongside all the glow, there’s this tiny shadow we don’t talk about much i.e. the constant worrying. It becomes second nature. Every doctor visit feels like a mix of excitement + anxiety. Every new symptom? Straight to Google, straight to WhatsApp, straight to every mother you’ve ever met in your life.

And right in the middle of this beautiful chaos, I hit a bump.

Month 8: When the Itching Began 🙄

Out of nowhere, I started having mild itching in my legs. And within a couple of weeks, it escalated into full-blown “I-want-to-peel-my-skin” itching. If you’ve ever experienced pregnancy itching, you know it is NOT the cute kind.

And of course, being the classic Indian couple… my husband and I spent hours reading, researching, diagnosing, double-checking — basically we did a whole PhD before our doctor visit. We even got the blood tests done before seeing her, hoping (praying!) she’d say, "Arre no no, this is nothing.”

But… nope.

I was diagnosed with Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP).

What is ICP in Simple Language?

In the easiest terms: It’s a liver issue where the liver struggles to get rid of bile. The waste from your body and the baby’s. Because the liver is already working full-time overtime during pregnancy.

When the waste isn’t flushed out properly, it starts building up in your blood and that causes the horrible itching.

Now, the scary part is: ICP shouldn’t be ignored because it can affect the baby. But the good news? With care, tracking, and the right doctor, things can be absolutely fine.

How Did we Manage it?

Step 1: Meet the Doctor (And Do. Not. Ignore. Itching.) 🩺

If the itching starts, especially on hands or feet. Please don’t brush it off as “just pregnancy things.”

Immediately talk to your doctor.

Pro tip from my over-prepared self: Get your Liver Function Test (LFT) and Bile Acid Test done beforehand. It saves time and gives your doctor the right data. And trust me having a good doctor is nice, but having a great doctor? Absolute blessing.

Mine looked at my reports, smiled, and said, "Beta ye toh thoda sa hi hai, tu itni tension mat le. Hasti reh, sab theek hai.”

I swear, I almost collapsed from relief. Sometimes that one sentence is all you need.

Step 2: The Medication 💊

Once confirmed, my doctor prescribed UDCA (Ursodeoxycholic Acid) or the famous Udiliv.

Important: Only take it if your doctor prescribes it. But if they do then don’t miss a single dose. Consistency really matters.

Step 3: Moisturize Like Your Life Depends on It 🧴

I am NOT exaggerating. Moisturizing became my best friend.

It soothed the itching more than anything else.

I used:

• Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion (https://amzn.to/3JPOzer)

• Lacto Calamine Lotion (https://amzn.to/4psp3uS)

Several times a day. No shame. No limit. Just relief.

Step 4: Eat Clean + Walk Daily 🥗

Our doctor said diet changes weren’t really required. But… our self-earned PhD had already taken over

So, we played safe:

• Started mornings with coconut water

• Ate more seasonal fruits

• Completely cut fried food and desserts

• And walked every single day

Those 6 AM walks with my husband, they’re honestly some of my sweetest pregnancy memories.

Step 5: Monitor, Track, Repeat

This was our game changer.

My husband created a weekly blood marker tracker from day 1. And we did weekly blood tests (even though the doctor didn’t explicitly ask).

This helped in two ways:

• It kept us calm and in control

• It helped the doctor make the best decisions with clear data

I’ve shared this tracker with so many moms since then and if you need it, feel free to use it.

Template for download:

ICP Monitoring __ Template.xlsx

Download XLSX • 6KB

And We Came Out of ICP Just Fine

And you will too.

ICP sounds scary, and yes, it needs attention. But with awareness, timely testing, and a little extra caution, everything can be absolutely okay.

So mama, breathe. Enjoy your glowing days. Eat your cravings (in moderation). Walk with your partner. And trust your body because it is stronger than you think.

You and your baby are going to be just fine. I promise.

Love, Rashi