poison Ivy and Prednisone

I am 16 weeks pregnant and have had poison ivy for over two weeks! It is up in my upper thigh and in my pubic area and on my face! I called the obgyn nurse and she prescribed me Prednisone and now I don't know if I want to take it! I read that it can cause problems to your unborn child, I already took 12 mg and then decided to stop because I got freaked out! I think I want to try the home remedies or natural! I might get that today at the health food store! What does anyone esle think! I asked the nurse if I should take prednisone and she said she wouldn't give me anything that could hurt my baby!
thanks

[peekawho]

Prednisone has  been well used and studied in pregnancy.  It is obviously reserved for times when it is clearly needed.   It is listed as a category B or C, depending on what source you are looking at.  
At 16 weeks, you are well past the very early period of time when major organs are just beginning to form.

Poison ivy, as in your case, can become very widespread, and scratching can cause secondary skin infection and irritation.   Prednisone can quell the bodies overzealous inflammatory response, leading to a rapid decrease in redness, irritation, and severe itching.

It is certainly not mandatory that you take it.   Look into some OTC mild steroid creams, they may help.  Beware of thinking that any remedy labeled "natural" is safe during pregnancy.  Many of the "natural" remedies have not been tested in pregnancy, and may in fact be dangerous.

Here is a simple and fairly effective treatment for irritated poison ivy or oak rash:

A soak in a tepid oatmeal bath can help relieve the discomfort of Poison Oak or Poison Ivy.  Place two cups of oatmeal in a cheese cloth and add to running water in the bath.  Let steep 10 minutes before bathing.  If you prefer, your local pharmacy may already have an oatmeal preparation for the bath.  Be sure the water is tepid (barely warm) or cool as heat will aggravate the discomfort.

Afterwards, calamine lotion, also available at any pharmacy, can be applied directly onto the affected areas to help relieve itching.