Rashes in pregnancy

• a new generalised rash anywhere on your body.
• you have itching to palms of hands or soles of your feet. You may need a blood test to rule out obstetric cholestasis (a build-up of bile acids in your body).
• you have come into close contact with someone with an infectious rash, and you don’t think you are immune. For example: 
  • Chickenpox
  • Parvovirus (slap cheek)
  • Rubella
  • Syphilis (Sexual transmission)
• you think you have genital herpes

Please call your GP surgery/midwife before attending the surgery/hospital. If they would like to see you, they may ask you to wait in isolation than the main waiting room.

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^{Rashes in pregnancy}

Skin rashes can occur for a variety of different reasons and are relatively common in pregnancy. Although they generally do not pose harm to you or your baby, in occasional cases they may be associated with an infection that can be transmitted to your baby. For this reason, if you develop a widespread rash during pregnancy, you should contact your GP or Midwife for advice. Please do not attend hospital or surgery without advice. 

Obstetric Cholestatsis could be a cause of itching in pregnancy. For more information visit the NHS Website. 

Am I immune?

Throughout life, we all encounter many viruses and bacteria. As part of our defence mechanism, the body makes antibodies to help fight infection.

If you have antibodies against a particular virus or bacteria, you are immune, and the antibodies help to prevent or reduce the impact of getting the infection again.

You can get more information on infections during pregnancy by visiting Tommy's website.

If something just doesn't feel right contact your local maternity team.

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