Exhausted with stress

[Stargirl114]

Hi all, I don’t know where else to turn to.

I have OC/ICP. My levels have not gone about 50 but they have gone above 40. I’m terrified of stillbirth and would like my baby out at 37 weeks (currently 36). I would like a c section but my consultant is very reluctant because of possible respiratory problems with early c section and he is also reluctant to give steroids due to potential problems later in child’s life. That said, I have medical relatives who have told me to go for a c section due to potential induction risks.

Every time we go and see the consultant we delay making the decision about when and how to bring the baby out because we and he disagree on the best course of action (he’d want induction at 38/39 weeks) and I’m getting unbelievably stressed. I feel like whether I choose 37 or 38 weeks I could be impacting the baby’s health for better or worse either way and likewise with induction vs c section. I feel like my brain is about to explode and I don’t know what to do anymore.

Just wondering what if your Medical members of your family are also Obstetricians?

Hi, I’ve just been through an OC pregnancy. Apparently the risk of stillbirth is minimal compared to what I had previously been led to believe and where lung development is concerned the longer they can keep the baby in the better as long as bile acids are continually monitored. I had levels of about 48, went down to 15 with the urso but would randomly shoot back up to 43-50. I had a c section at 38+4 as I had a c section in my previous pregnancy but that was due to a failed induction.

Yes one of them is an obstetrician and he said if I was his patient he’d recommend c section. But nhs is reluctant to give them

Ok on that case I'd look at the Hospital's policy on elc's and insist if you have to

You are more than within your rights to request a c section, women no longer have to have a clinical reason. In terms of the gestation it occurs at that is more of a negotiation with the obstetrician. Current Royal College of Obs and Gynae guidelines are that if bile acids are between 40-99 then delivery is indicated between 38-39 weeks as the risk of stillbirth is no different to the general population. This is in a singleton pregnancy with no other risk factors.

Totally understand why you would be anxious to get baby out, pregnancy is stressful enough without further issues on top. All the best for a safe delivery x

www.rcog.org.uk/guidance/browse-all-guidance/green-top-guidelines/intrahepatic-cholestasis-of-pregnancy-green-top-guideline-no-43/