I had horribly dry itchy skin in early pregnancy. I tried several different lotions and after getting a rash from cocoa butter oil I went back to my normal Bath & Body Works body cream. I know it's expensive. I only buy it when it's on sale and I have coupons.
I also use baby oil in the shower right before I get out and then pat dry. Skin seems to stay moisturized a long time that way. I'm 27 wks and measuring 31 not 1 stretch mark so far.
I constantly have dry, itchy skin, but it's worse when pregnant. The ONLY thing *I* have found that works is the Equate (walmart brand) of the Lubriderm intense healing,. The Equate brand is called something like Advanced therapy, it comes in a maroon and white pump bottle (or you can get smaller squeeze bottles) I haven't tried the Lubriderm brand becuase it's more expensive, but the Equate brand has done WONDERS for MY skin.
What you are feeling is probably your uterus expanding along with bloating and ligament pains. The throwing up really *****, especially when you don't have anything but stomach acid TO throw up. It's most definately worth all the yucky stuff we go through tho :)