Worrying about Obstetric Cholestasis - what to do?

[Lorna2124]

I’m currently 31 weeks 6 days and I’ve been itching like crazy the past three or four evenings all over my body, the itching is barely noticeable in the day but at night it’s so bad it’s disrupting my sleep. I didn’t think too much of it at first as it’s been quite hot recently and my skin is generally quite sensitive. But after doing some googling I realise this is a symptom of obstetric Cholestasis and am now worrying.. another thing is sometimes the soles of my feet become insanely itchy but only when I’m eating dinner and for a little while afterwards (this has been happening for weeks but have only just thought anything of it) I was wondering if anyone that has had OC has experienced something similar - itching becoming worse during/after eating?

I realise the best thing to do now is to tell my midwife but I just had an appointment with her today and didn’t bring it up as before googling it I wasn’t too concerned.. now this may sound silly but I’m not sure who to call as she is only at my local doctors surgery once a week, would I be better off just making an appointment with a GP? Or maybe phoning maternity advice line/triage? I’ve haven’t yet had to call anyone for advice etc and I’m not sure which would be most appropriate.

Apologies for the essay!

Phone maternity triage for advice - they will need you in for blood test to check bile acid levels. I was diagnosed at 28 weeks in December 18 was put on Urso (medication) and had weekly blood tests until delivery of my daughter at 38 weeks in Feb.

Where I am booked you would go to the walk-in Maternity Assessment Unit, a bit like A&E for pregnant ladies. There you would be assessed by a midwife and/ or obstetrics doctor and have blood tests.

Do your maternity notes have any information about where to seek help?

Thanks for the advice, my local maternity assessment unit is 45 mins drive away but I think that’s probably the best thing to do, I’ll give them a call in the morning.

My maternity notes have the community midwives number, but I’m not sure if calling that would be any use as even my midwife said to me today “you know where I am if you need me... although I won’t be back for another week now”. And then it says for any “urgent” concerns to call triage, I just wasn’t sure if this counts as an urgent concern if that makes sense!

Triage will let you know if they need to see you, its important you're tested as soon as poss, as if you have the diagnosis then you'll need to start medication. Fortunately, recent medical guidance has come out that says if bile acid levels remain well managed, then there is little risk to baby (thankfully!) Due to OC. But that doesn't help the horrific itching haha. Hope the hospital are helpful today x

Just checking in to see if there was any update!
I’ve been itching since 20weeks! I was already seeing mw & nurse alternate weeks anyway (for high bp) and the nurse expected mw to test for OC during the routine bloods! Turns out she didn’t! On my nurse app this week she decided it would be best to do the blood test because I’m now 35+ weeks and EXTREMELY itchy, it wasn’t soles of feet/palms of hands until this week, but I’m driving everyone crazy with my scratching!
I’m expecting dc4 and had the same with dc1, my blood tests came back with problems, and was tested every week for ages but the results got better each week so after initially thinking it was cholestasis they changed their mind!
Now waiting to hear back about my latest blood tests, but I think I will have to wait until next weeks app with MW and get her to chase my results 🤷🏼‍♀️
Please let us know how you get on x