Had a rubbish day and now need a liver scan

[faintpinkline]

I just don't know what to think or expect and seriously wishing I'd not googled liver problems in pregnancy as the result are just frightening.

I had obstetric cholastasis (OC) in my last pregnancy so when I started itching in the night decided to call the hospital this morning. They asked me to go for a blood test so I arrived at just gone 9am. They took bloods and asked me to wait an hour or so for the results but said they thought everything would be alright as OC does not normally start so early.

Finally after waiting 3 1/2 hours during which they insisted I remained at the hospital they managed to get a result from the labs. The doctor said there's something wrong with my liver functions but its not OC so they needed more blood tests which they took there and then. Then I had to go and book a liver ultra scan and more blood tests for before the end of this week then go to antenatal for a clinic early next week.

Liver scan is on Wednesday but didn't even manage to book clinic as they kept saying they were too busy next week because of bank holidays. Finally crumpled into tears and got taken off by a lovely midwife who I cried all over. Still don't know what I'm meant to do about clinic was told to sort it out on Wednesday

Such silly things to get scared about. I was at the hospital for nearly 5 whole hours, cried all the way home in the taxi and crawled into bed. Dreading Wednesday as have to fast from 9pm tomorrow night until scan is done and aways end up getting dizzy if I don't eat

Aww that sounds like such a horrible day for you, have they given you any indication of what they are looking for on the scan? I don't know much about liver problems but I can offer a hand to hold and sympathy for the fasting

oh no you poor thing!
I hope it all works out ok for you?!
how far gone are you?

I had the same in my second pregnancy, having had oc in first pregnancy. Was itching from start and liver function was off, although not diagnosed as oc at that stage as bile acids normal. Had liver scan and all was normal, I think they're just checking that they're not missing any other problem and just putting it down to pregnancy.

They just kept a close eye on me and oc was diagnosed a few weeks later and started on meds etc then.

Hope you're feeling a bit better now, it is hard spending all that time at the hospital and all the worry. I practically lived at the hospital when pg but was all worth it in the end.

Thank you. They've not said what they're looking for - not even sure if they know themselves.

I lost my first baby at 38 weeks though DD is a happy little 6 year old so even the most minor problem seems like a huge thing to me at the moment. Of course I've convinced myself its something dreadful even though DP is utterly optimistic that the hospital are just being ultra cautious and covering every base.

Wish the itching would stop though

Emsgale I'm 21 weeks

Try not to worry OP. It is perfectly possible for OC to start earlier than the usual 3rd trimester.

It is also perfectly possible for you to have OC and for it NOT to show up on the blood test, this is why NHS you need to keep having blood tests if the itching does not stop. My consultant told me of one of his patients who had all symptoms of OC except itching from 30 weeks and it was only on the day before she delivered that the OC finally showed up on a blood test.

It is standard practice to do an ultrasound just to rule out any underlying liver condition which could be causing the itching. My consultant said the chances of it NOT being OC are very rare - it would just be too much of a coincidence for a liver problem to come on at the same time you are at risk of OC.

Check out the OC support website - lots of info and support;
www.ocsupport.org

I'm so sorry you are going through this, it's vile isn' it? I had OC with DS2 so you have my huge sympathies. Fingers crossed for a healthy pregnancy with no itching!

How did your scan go? I hope everything is going okay for you

I'm home

It appears that I have a huge gallstone which is messing up my liver function. They can't take it out while I'm pregnant but will look at doing so sometime after I've had the baby I don't have OC yet but from what the doctor says its not a case of if but when. They've taken another couple of blood tests, will see me in clinic in 2 weeks and have pretty much decided to induce me at 38 weeks because (quoting from my notes)

"she has deranged liver function"

I've been waiting years for someone to notice I'm deranged

Feeling much happier now an thank you all for the handholding.

PS - if you haven't already try your hospital canteen next time you're in there. I had a huge lunch - main course and pudding for £4.50 and the portions were massive

deranged :o

I'm glad it was nothing to worry about immediately, OP, and that you'll be well looked after in relation to your OC :)