Obstetric cholestasis HELP

[megamouse]

I’ve been diagnosed with obstetric cholestasis and I’m panicking. After many miscarriages I don’t need any more worries.
I’ve had 2 people already tell me horrible statistics and horror stories.
I don’t want to hear any more.
I’d love to hear of any positive pregnancies with this condition.
(I don’t even want to read any sad terms or statistics.) so only respond with positivity please.

Hi! Had two baby's with oc 16/11 years old not much was known about it bacn then and they were born perfect at 37/35 weeks, currently 34 weeks pregnant and awaiting diagnosis! Do you know your levels? Also how far are you? And please don't worry x

I had OC in my last pregnancy.

I’m not going to lie - it made me pretty unwell, and I had a few scary trips to hospital as DD was a very quiet baby and I had a few episodes of reduced movements.

I had a c-section delivery at 37 weeks when my liver function really dipped (would’ve been an induction but I’d had a previous section so induction was ruled out). Very straightforward delivery and DD was born perfectly healthy, was a dream baby...and is a fighting fit 11 yr old now .

Are you having regular blood tests to check your liver function and bile levels? Has your doctor/midwife discussed slightly early delivery with you?

I know it’s a scary time but it’s actually a very manageable condition once it’s identified and it’s extremely unlikely it will affect your baby .

I've got a strapping 14yr old after OC. Being diagnosed is the most important. They wouldn't allow me to go further than 37 weeks so was induced and being honest it was easier than my first who I went into labour naturally.
I had bloods taken and was monitored 3 times a week from around 33 weeks. Once they are aware they are on it.
Please try not to worry.

My DD had it with both her pregnancies. She was induced at 37 weeks with my DGD and then had an emergency c section, and had an elective c section with my DGS. The itching was pretty bad, but both babies were absolutely fine.

From what I see things are different now and they don't induce as early unfortunately as this is the worry I have!

I also had it with both children (now aged 12 and 10) - again once it was diagnosed everything was fine. Was monitored and took the drugs for the last couple of weeks. I was induced a little bit early (about 38 weeks I think), and the last couple of weeks were uncomfortable, but no significant problems. I know it is much easier said than done, but try not to worry. The important thing is that they keep an eye on you, but I would recommend not Googling too much, and (like so much of pregnancy) just think it will be over soon. Take care.

Induced at 37 weeks baby fine , x

I have a very healthy 8 month old upstairs 😁 I was diagnosed at 28 weeks (induced at 38 weeks), a lot of advice and support and I believe there's a lot more knowledge and understanding now. You will be in good hands I'm sure, I know its easy to worry, but I'm sure all will be ok and you will meet your baby soon xx

I’ve got 3 healthy DC - my consultant thought I probably had it in all 3 pregnancies though I was only diagnosed on my last pregnancy (the itch was quite mild but apparently my bile acid levels were really high). I had all three naturally/spontaneously, two at 35 weeks, one at 36 weeks, but all were completely fine (not even needing any special care). The NHS page on this is useful on the recommended frequency of testing, and has some good links as well:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/itching-obstetric-cholestasis-pregnant/
How many weeks are you?

My DD had it earlier this year. She was diagnosed at around 16 weeks and was on medication by 20 weeks (the highest dose she could have). She had weekly blood tests and saw the midwife weekly from then on, but all was fine apart from a couple of admissions when her bile levels went very high. My DGD was born at 37 weeks, was very small (5lbs) but DD had been told to expect this. The only issue DD had was that they stopped the medication straight after birth but she had to go back on it and then have the dose reduced slowly.

I had OC in my last pregnancy. Got diagnosed fairly late on in my third trimester. I then had weekly blood tests to check my bile levels and liver function and was also given medication to help with the itching. It was frightening to be diagnosed but once it was known about the hospital were brilliant and it was really carefully managed. I was also offered daily monitoring if I wanted it - I did have some other complications (gestational diabetes and reduced fluid round baby, unexplained bleeding)

Original plan was for me to have a section at 37 weeks - I was offered induction which I refused - but DS was born at 36 weeks due to reduced movements.

I scared myself by googling. However I did find the Tommy’s website helpful and also icpsupport.org - lots of helpful info and advice on there, plus they have Facebook groups you can join and they have a telephone helpline and email if you want to chat to them and get extra support.

As other people have said try not to worry although this is easier said than done x

Hi I had this with my second pregnancy, baby born 5 months ago. Had the perfect pregnancy really felt great in myself very mild itch was induced 37 + 4 he was absolutely fine and 8lb 4oz is not small x

My two o/c pregnancies are now 15 and 13 yrs old. The itching will stay with me for as long as I live but both of my dc are fully functioning young people. I was induced at 37 weeks exactly for my first but my second got to 38+6 with a ‘spontaneous’ labour as my lft results had settled with the medications I had been given. I was induced immediately with my first (I think because it was so rare back then) but I was monitored really heavily with the second.

You’ll be fine as it’s much more recognised these days as it was back then. They will monitor you so intensely that the odds are in your favour

Can I ask what your levels were?
I'm wondering if i will definitely be induced due to being diagnosed with the condition or if they just measure week by week and decide nearer the time?

I had OC three times and have three healthy DC asleep upstairs right now.

My levels were v high - can't remember them now but do remember one of the midwives at one point being quite alarmed and saying they were the highest she'd seen.

It made me utterly miserable and meant I had to be checked every week and also induced early but it was all worth it.

Actually, I didn't mind the weekly check ups as I had also had several early MCs and so was kind of glad of all the monitoring and reassurance.

They did give me the urso medication in the latter two pregnancies - it did bugger all the first time but worked like a dream with DC3 and really helped. DC1 I had no treatment other than early induction.

I found oatmeal baths, Aveeno cream and ice cold cotton sheets (also bought one of those "chillow" pillows) and wearing baggy cotton shirts (DH's) helped a bit.

Ps also, for me, the itching really did stop the moment they were born. Was like a miracle.