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My experience with obstetric cholestasis

avanliamsmum by avanliamsmum Talking(June 2007) (rank 96th)

Obstetric cholestasis is a condition of the liver that some women suffer from (more commonly in the last trimester) during pregnancy. The liver becomes oversensitive to the pregnancy hormones, and bile (which the liver produces normally to aid digestion) is reduced which means bile salts build up in the blood. 

The main symptom is intense itching. Obstetric cholestasis affects about 1% of pregnant women, making it quite uncommon. The risk of having a stillborn rises by about 15%.

At about 30 weeks pregnant I started to become really itchy. Not just the normal belly itch, as is quite common with pregnant women, but itchy everywhere. Especially on my feet, palms and back. I remember getting my husband to scratch my back and feet so hard that he was worried he was going to hurt me! I would sit in quite a hot bath some nights scouring at my feet with a pumice stone until I bled sometimes, then coated myself with an anti itch pregnancy oil (which to be honest, did absolutely nothing). I knew something was wrong and went on the internet trying to find any reasons for my symptoms and found obstetric cholestasis, but brushed it aside, as it was apparenly not a common condition. I mentioned the itching to my Doctor at one of my antenatal appointments, but nothing was really done. She just told me to let her know if it got any worse. 

When I was 36 weeks pregnant, I told the Doctor at the hospital my itching was unbearable, making me feel sick and keeping me up for hours at night scratching intensely. She finally sent me off to get a bile salts (acid) and liver function test. I didn't end up hearing about the results until I turned up for my 38 week appointment, when I asked her if my test was okay. She told me I needed to be induced as soon as possible, as my results were quite high. I was booked in to be induced the next day. She didn't even really explain the risks of obstetric cholestasis, nor did she explain the condition itself.

Even the midwife who broke my waters wasn't sure of the condition, and told me I should've waited until my baby was ready to be born! As soon as they delivered my daughter Ava, the itching stopped, although she had jaundice which needed to be treated, but I'm not sure if this was related to the cholestasis or not. I was afraid of falling pregnant again, as there is about a 60% chance of it recurring in future pregnancies, but I went the full 9 months (and 10 days) pregnant with my son without it showing up again. I made sure I got the liver test quite early too, at about 28 weeks, and it was returned normal.

My advice to pregnant mothers suffering from intense itching is to report it to your Doctor asap and make sure they do the bile salts (acid) and liver function test. Obstetric cholestasis is quite uncommon, and my Doctor didn't really know much about it herself, so could easily be overlooked as in my case. I have read stories on the internet of women who actually lost their babies to this condition. No one is exactly sure why it causes stillbirth.

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admonsta
March 17th | admonsta
Re: My experience with obstetric cholestasis

I tested positive to OC in my last pregnancy.  It was my fourth child, and I barely had any symptoms.  My feet were mildly itchy.  I now suspect that I may have had it with my first three kids, but didn't know it and wasn't tested.  I'm waiting for the results of my blood test now for my fifth pregnancy.  No itching at all this time.

I don't know how likely it is to have the condition without intense symptoms, but perhaps it's worth considering that you may have cholestasis and not have bad itching.



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vnp
February 16th | vnp
Re: My experience with obstetric cholestasis

Thanks for such a great advice. I never had any such issues but shall be helpful in future.



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mattncasey
February 13th | mattncasey
Re: My experience with obstetric cholestasis

Hi,

I also suffered from OCP but my itching started quite early. It was at the point where i was scratching til i bled. It made it extremely hard to sleep and my partner also had trouble sleeping as i would scratch constantly at night. I spoke to my doctor about it and numerous nurses at the hospital whom just shrugged it off.

When i discovered on the internet, at 36 weeks pregnant, that it was quite serious and could cause stillbirth my partner and i went to the hospital and demanded that they do the test, the doctor told me not to believe eveything i read on the internet. and not to worry about it, but we refused to leave til it was done and my test came back with extremely high levels. Luckily i went into labour the next day. My son was born with jaundice and i also had it. The hospital was not going to induce me, they were just going to monitor me every few days with ultrasounds.

This was my 3rd pregnancy. I am now pregnant again with twins and am hoping it doesn't return. We were disgusted by the lack of knowledge considering that the outcome can be so serious.

I had only been pregnant in warm weather before and we did read that it seems to present more in colder weather.  ???

 



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flipperkate
November 2008 | flipperkate
Re: My experience with obstetric cholestasis

Hi, I know exactly how you feel. I had  this in my 2nd pregnancy, and was dragged out to 37wks before being induced. I had been itching, and the medication and nothing else worked to ease the itching.  5wks of constant itching and no sleep. Medication for OC is very expensive and doesnt always work (like in my case).



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exquisite-flower
September 2008 | exquisite-flower
Re: My experience with obstetric cholestasis

Wow, thank you for sharing this story. 

Peace
EF.x



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janicepovey
December 2007 | janicepovey
Re: My experience with obstetric cholestasis

Very informative advice, have never heard of obstetric cholestasis, before. Must have been a frustrating time for you, especially when nothing was done about your condition...how many times do you hear of this happening....your advice will give mum's to be out there, the heads up about this condition.

Cheers Janice



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emmie
November 2007 | emmie
Re: My experience with obstetric cholestasis

i never heard of thisd before great article

thanks for sharing

emz



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ellamia
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | ellamia
Re: My experience with obstetric cholestasis
Wow Thanks for sharing this with us. I myself didnt go through this but it would be awful

Thanks for the info

love kell


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blackwidowkate
5.00 (Excellent) | August 2007 | blackwidowkate
Re: My experience with obstetric cholestasis
Hi
When I was pregnant this came up with Jalan as I was itching all the time.
Worse one was mine never went away after she was born.
They ruled out this though
I think i just itch
Luv Deb


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merlin0903
5.00 (Excellent) | August 2007 | merlin0903
Re: My experience with obstetric cholestasis

 

wow jess,

great advice and thanks for sharing it with us as i am sure that there is a few mums out there that going through the same thing, i remember that towards the end of my pregnancy i was getting itchy, but my pregnancy wasn't what you would call normal,  but this is great advice and thank you for sharing your story with us.

hugs and kisses



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lexiw
5.00 (Excellent) | July 2007 | lexiw
Re: My experience with obstetric cholestasis

wow never heard of this before thanks for sharing your story

 Lexi xxx



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llmunchkin
5.00 (Excellent) | June 2007 | llmunchkin
Re: My experience with obstetric cholestasis
Hey, great advice and very well written, great job.  I had heard of this, as I was tested for it, I was an itchy scratchy pest with ice packs on my feet at night.  I was tested regularly for various things, and they mentioned this vaguely, it is good to know about it.


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Kellzacar
5.00 (Excellent) | June 2007 | Kellzacar
Re: My experience with obstetric cholestasis
Hi there,

thanks so much for sharing your story . . . I'd never heard of this condition until now . .

Cheers Kellz


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