Itching during pregnancy – Should it be handled in routine or on priority? – Role of Community Medicine Health Post in Bridging the Gaps in the Health System

Itching during pregnancy

Abstract

Itching in pregnancy is quite common with most common reason being dryness of skin and hormonal influences. It may also be due to Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP), that requires intense monitoring, follow up and management, to avoid adverse pregnancy outcomes. Here we present a case of a third gravida with twin pregnancy and itching in early 2^nd trimester. In this case, itching was considered as a part of normal physiology of pregnancy until the severity of itching impaired patient’s day to day activities. Though it was presumptively diagnosed at tertiary care institute, there were some gaps at health system level that may have otherwise led to an adverse pregnancy outcome. It propelled us to understand what we can do as community health physicians for cases like these and to build a protocol for follow up of similar cases at community level.