I Always Wanted A Little Pup..p...p

I quite like dogs.  I think little puppies are the cutest ever.  However, fully grown dogs that are the size of puppies are not so cute.  That is the only kind of dog Hod has ever been OK with.

But I found another way to sneak a pup into our lives.  Alright, really, I have discovered PUPPP. 

Turns out it isn't the dream I thought it would be.

PUPPP is a really lame-o rash that some pregnant women develop.  It usually develops in the first pregnancy (This is my 2nd to go this long), normally develops around 35 weeks (I'm only 28), 70% of cases are women pregnant with boys (I'm having a girl), and is most common if you are having multiples (I've only got one in there).  It is safe for baby and mom, so that is good, but that is where the positive ends.  This rash starts out on your stomach, and if you scratch it it can spread over your entire body, only excluding your face.  It is only a little bit itchy at first, but then it gets worse and worse until you get to the point that every place that has been touched by it constantly feels like millions of needles are pricking you.  It is irritated and aggravated by heat, clothing, stretching, any applied pressure, and looking at rainbows.  (OK, I made that last one up.)  It usually clears up about 2 weeks after delivery.  That is the current fix for the problem: have the baby.  That works a lot better if you develop it around 35 weeks.  You only have 2 weeks before you are technically full term.  If you are only 28 weeks, it makes the next 2 1/2 months sound like pure torture. 

Not a whole lot is known about PUPPP.  Some say there is no treatment, some say some prescriptions will help.  Some say it is just freaky hormones that cause it, some say it is actually a problem with the liver.  Most say it really doesn't cause any problems at all, however some doctors say that they have never met a woman who developed it who didn't deliver in the next 3 weeks.

I'll be honest, we aren't 100% sure this is what I have.  I have an appointment next week and we will find out for sure, but from my research this is the most likely.  (I've spent hours looking at pictures of rashes and this is the closest match.)  The second most likely is that I am developing shingles.  But I'm pretty sure that isn't it, because it isn't really growing.  I am exercising great will power and not scratching. 

PUPPP is not widely known about.  Not unless you have experienced it.  Pretty sure I had no desire to join that club.  Ignorance really is bliss.