Obstetric Cholestasis - anyone else got this?

[ladygagoo]

Just got my test results back and I am borderline but do have lots of itchyness especially at night. Will be re-tested next week.
Just wondered if anyone else has this or has had it in previous pregnancies and can tell me a bit about their experiences. I am currently 34.1

Trying not to get too worried but its hard not to

TIA

Hi, I havent got it, im 30 weeks but two of my aunties have had it. Aparently it can run in familys, its something to do with the liver when pregnant.

It causes severe itching and its very common to bring on premature labour - quite suddenly. I dont mean to scare you but my auntie went into labour at 34 weeks and as it was quick and unexpected, her baby was starved of oxygen for 12 mins and now has servere Cerebral Palsy. Hes now 5 years old. My other auntie that had it, midwives caught it early and monitered her everyday, had to go to hospital everyday including xmas day. Her baby went almost full term, they induced her about 2 weeks early and her baby was fine.

My aunt who now has the disabled child, is always telling me that if you dont think something is right, I MUST go to hospital and not be fobbed off that its nothing. Because if she had done that then she would of been in proper care when he unexpectdly arrived.

I had it In my last pregnancy. My son is now 18 months old and absolutely fine. They just monitored me very closely, I got a bit sick but it passed and I had to be induced 2 weeks early to be on the safe side but no other complications. I'm now 18 weeks and have been told I'm at higher risk of it happening again but they will just keep a close eye on things. Hope this helps xx

I had it with previous pregnancy. My liver was in a bad way apparently. Was induced at 36+1 but also had pre-eclampsia and am diabetic. Can't tell you much else I'm afraid other than we are all fine

Hi
I'm 28 weeks and about 2/3 weeks ago I suffered from some severe itching. My blood results came back slightly above normal. My ALT was 42, bile acids were low at 3. They said they didn't think I had OC, but took more blood for testing. And booked me for a liver scan. In my second set of bloods the ALT dropped to 37, and in the third down to 27. Liver scan was fine too. So in short your borderline may resolve itself. And if it doesn't, from the research I have read, you will be monitored closely- weekly blood tests, and they may put you on meds. And the other thing is they would prob induce you at 37/38 weeks.

Try not to worry-you will be in safe hands if they are monitoring you. I think the real risk is when it goes undiagnosed.

Had it with DS2, he was induced at 35+0 as my bile acid levels and liver function had risen to v high levels (after initially responding to meds after diagnosis at 31 weeks). I was on the max dose of urso and vitamin k. My bile acids were 86 and rising when they induced me.

Labour was v v quick (as is often the case with OC babies). DS2 is fine but did need a short stay in NICU for his premmie baby lungs plus some sunbed treatment for jaundice. We were in hospital a week.

Don't worry, OC is only more dangerous than a "normal" pregnancy if it is undiagnosed and unmonitored/untreated.

Check out the OC support website - www.ocsupport.org

Hope all goes well for you x

I had it very badly - was diagnosed with it at about 28 weeks and DS was born at 33 weeks. I was monitored very closely due to other complications/medical issues. As said above - if in doubt get it checked out.

I spent about 3 of those 5 weeks in hospital being monitored and was given steroids to develop baby's lungs because he was going to be so prem as my ALT levels were off the scale high. Once DS was born I recovered very quickly (and felt great in comparison) although my liver was not right for about 6 months.

Try not to worry - just be a little more over-cautious and you (and bubba) will be fine. I hope you feel better soon as it is very grim.

Hi ladygagoo
I had this diagnosed at about 38 weeks and induced due to it. A long induction but I have a very happy healthy 6 month old girl..
Good luck
X

Thanks for your experiences. Will try not to worry too much and make sure my hospital bag is packed!

Really appreciate the feedback

Hi Ladies,

Just how itchy were you?

I couldn't stop itching yesterday and ended up getting in the bath as soon as I got home from work to try and relieve it. This morning it seems to have stopped. I read that if OC the itching tends to be bad on the soles of your feet and your palms, which wasn't the case for me yesterday so I didn't worry too much. If you have OC does the itchiness come and go? Have my 31 week MW check up next week so was going to mention it then, or should I call and speak to someone before?

With my OC I never had any itching on the soles of my feet or hands, it was mostly on my trunk and neck. In the early stages of OC (before I was diagnosed) I was not itching every day.

I would defo get yourself tested straight away, it's a simple blood test.

I had oc from 25 from 25 weeks in both my previous pregnancies. I am 24 weeks with dc 3 now so guess what I'm looking out for :o. Both of mine were prem ds was 32 wks and dd 34. I had ursodeoxycholic acid tabs plus iron and vit k. Also had steroid injections for babies' lungs. I had bloods 3 times a week (oc was v severe) and monitoring scans once a week. I was also transferred to several different hospitals during pregnancy (some hundreds of miles away) due to the worry of prem labour and a lack of scbu space in my local hospital. Oc is very treatable but obviously dangerous but most hospitals will only let you go to 37 wks if diagnosed before then. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask as unfortunately I have plenty experience :o

I agree with MrClaypole - get yourself checked. When I suspected I had it, I called my midwife who said to go in that afternoon for a blood test.