When I was pregnant with my first child, everything seemed to be going smoothly—until it didn’t. Sure, I battled intense heartburn that I managed with hefty doses of antacids, and my body swelled up like a balloon. My cravings? Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and popsicles were my go-tos, especially with the A/C blasting at a chilly 58 degrees during that July heat.
My blood pressure was on the high side too, but my doctor wasn’t overly concerned since I didn’t show signs of preeclampsia. At eight months along, a friend asked me if I had any stretch marks yet. I proudly replied no, feeling almost guilty since so many women seemed to deal with them. But that satisfaction was short-lived.
As the days rolled on, my Cheetos binge didn’t help my heartburn, but I couldn’t stop myself. I ended up resorting to sleeping upright on the couch, and soon, I noticed an odd itch starting on my feet. I figured it was fleas from our dog who often lounged beside me. I mean, who wouldn’t jump to that conclusion?
Then the itching spread to my hands and eventually my belly. Initially, I dismissed the belly itch as just another pregnancy quirk. I continued my frantic Google searches on “Do humans get fleas?” and “What’s the best flea remedy?” But as the itching intensified, my husband urged me not to scratch, while the nurse hotline suggested anti-itch cream, attributing it to normal skin stretching. Nothing worked, and soon those stretch marks I thought I had avoided started appearing. They multiplied quickly, covering my stomach in what seemed like a blanket of broken skin.
I could handle the stretch marks, but the itching was unbearable. By the time I saw my doctor again, my belly resembled something from a horror flick, and I was beyond miserable. She diagnosed me with pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP) and told me the only remedy was to give birth. Great.
As my pregnancy neared its end, my doctor checked my blood pressure and inspected my belly again. After hearing my woes, she decided to induce labor a week early. The moment I delivered, I felt an immediate relief from the incessant itching—though it might have been due to the overwhelming joy of finally having my baby in my arms. Within a few weeks, the rash faded, leaving behind a battered belly that I still scrutinize during every subsequent pregnancy, anxiously hoping for no repeat of that experience.
So, lovely pregnant women, heed my warning: you might just join the 1 in 200 women who experience this. If it happens, know that it’s temporary, though it might drive you completely bonkers in the meantime. For more insights on related topics, check out another one of our blog posts here. If you’re looking for at-home insemination kits, I recommend visiting Make a Mom, a reputable online retailer. Also, for valuable information about pregnancy, visit the CDC’s pregnancy page.
Summary:
In this candid account of pregnancy, the author shares her experience with PUPPP, a rare skin condition that affects some expectant mothers. Despite initially feeling grateful for avoiding stretch marks, she soon found herself battling intense itching and discomfort. After a diagnosis and early induction, she discovered relief post-birth. This post serves as a warning and a source of solidarity for other pregnant women who may face similar challenges.
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