Obstetric Cholestasis, anyone? Second DC here..

[FlippertyJibbit]

Absolutely beaming with pride to have found out I'm expecting DC2, I'm around 5 weeks at the moment so still very early on.

With DS1 I was diagnosed with Obstetric Cholestasis around 30 weeks and after having him was advised I would more then likely get it again in any subsequent pregnancies.

I was induced at 37+5 with DS1 by drip and laboured the whole time on my back, gas and air made me ill and left it too late for an epidural. I screamed and cried and felt completely out of control for the whole 12 hours of labour so am determined to get myself well prepared this time, I want an epidural, I want to be able to "roam freely" and get into an position I please!!

Can anyone give me some successful OC pregnancy and delivery stories please? I feel confident this time and much more prepared but also a bit scared because I kind of know what's going to happen..

[BaffledMummy]

Well...I don't want to speak too soon...am currently 34 weeks with DC2 after being diagnosed with OC in pregnancy 1 and getting induced at 37 weeks..and so far.....no itching! I was all prepared for it to start earlier this time so have basically just been waiting on the itch to start so you never know...you (and I hopefully!) Might be the 1/10 for whom it does not recur? Fingers crossed anyway!
Your delivery sounds quite similar...was induced and stuck on my back for monitoring purposes and I didn't love that but once the drip was in, mine only took 3.5 hours.
Definitely hoping for the best this time around and if I do end up with it, I won't be so worried. Dc1 was completely fine and my symptoms were gone a couple of days later so I kind of know what to expect.
Good luck with your pregnancy OP. Hoping we are the 10%!

[Munxx]

I had a wonderful birth with my DS (second child) after being induced (with OC- did not have it with DC1 but had a very stressful and frightening birth with her).

I was induced at 38 weeks exactly and was allowed to be in the midwives unit roaming freely and had no pain relief. The pessary worked within 24 hours, I had my waters broken and he was born 3 hours later.

Yes, the itching was horrible and I was so hot all the time, I had weekly scans and was also monitored 3 times a week (I also had reduced movements as a constant background added extra!) but was well looked after and had an amazing and well informed consultant.

I wish you the very best!

[steppemum]

I had OC with dc2.
I was induced early, but with pessary, not drip.
Then labour was pretty 'normal'
As soon as I went upstairs to the delivery suite I said clearly, I want to be able to walk around. The midwife was AMAZING, and she said don't worry, I will follow you wth the monitor, so I was attached to the monitor, on a lead and roamed round and laboured standing up and gave birth standing up, totally free and it was a very straightforward and lovely delivery.

Dc1 was a long drawn out labour, induction with drip etc, and so this was completely different.

By the way, dc3 I didn't have OC

[FlippertyJibbit]

Thanks for your replies! I wonder how they decide wether you have drip or pessary? I feel like I was so clueless with DS1 I just accepted what was happening because I didn't know otherwise, they told me I'd be induced at 37+5 and that was basically it!!

Saying that though, my waters broke the Friday night and had to be induced on the Sunday (which was the planned induction date anyway) due to no progression so wonder if that was why I went straight in the drip?

I've got a few itchies already but think that might be prickly heat, it's appeared high up on my tummy and also on my arms, I've been told 1,000 times I won't have it this early but you know your own body!

I also have gallstones which I've been on a waiting list to have my gallbladder removed for but that's obviously out the window now and probably won't do me any favours for the next 8 months!!

I'm glad to read you've all had comfortable deliveries though! Makes me feel a bit better

[FlippertyJibbit]

Oh and baffledmummy that's amazing to hear you haven't had any symptoms so far!! I hope it stays that way for you- especially in this heat!!

[BaffledMummy]

Yeah basically every itch I've had this pregnancy I've been panicking it was starting! Was convinced at 18 weeks it was back but never came to anything and bloods were fine at last check 30 weeks (I definitely had it 30 weeks last time).
I got the pessary, I think probably as waters had not broken....that let me get to 2cm dialated when I got a sweep...two hours later waters broke and they put me on the drip at that point. Maybe since your waters had already gone, there was no point in pessary? Anyway....Hoping it is all immaterial anyway and that it doesn't return this time for either of us!