Has Anyone Had Cholestasis?? Severe Itching.

[ohdearymemumof3]

Hello, the past 2 days iv felt awful so much nausea, i could of swore i was getting a sickness bug but havent and now iv started itching badly everywhere its doing my head in, so of course i googled and its said about the increase blood flow making you itch orrr Cholestasis which can be fatal for baby! Now im worrying, if im still itchy in the morning ill call hospital but has anyone had Cholestasis before???- x

You need to call the hospital now and insist on a blood test.

There is no risk to you but the baby may not survive. Don't wait.

Yes I had cholestasis in the late stages of pregnancy. Don't panic unduly but do ring your midwife as soon as possible. They will likely want you in for blood tests and they may want to deliver early. Only a blood test will tell you for sure.

Talk about scaremongering with that response. I had obstetric cholestasis during my pregnancy with my daughter. Tell your midwife about the itching and have bloods checked. If it’s cholestasis you’ll be monitored more closely and given medication. It’s advisable not to over your due date but not all nhs trusts induce. Mine did. I have a healthy baby. Seek tests but don’t panic

Ps, I was referring to sunshine’s response

If that's what you feel fine but I nearly lost my child.

Good luck OP.

www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/patients/patient-information-leaflets/pregnancy/pi-obstetric-cholestasis.pdf

Is the itching particularly on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet? Is it worse at night? Worth ringing your maternity unit, they'll do some bloods to check your bile acids. Best to get checked out but crazy scaremongering responses like a few posts up don't really help.

From NHS

"....pregnancy, you have a high chance of developing it again in a subsequent pregnancy.

Some studies have found that babies whose mothers have ICP have a higher chance of being born prematurely or stillborn.

The most recent research suggests the risk of stillbirth is between 1 and 2 in 100 for those women whose bile acid levels are greater than 40µmol/L."

Yep, did with my first pregnancy. It felt like ants crawling all over my hands and feet. Was so uncomfy that I was having cold baths at night. On my second pregnancy now and saw a consultant about it recently - he said the risk is now considered to be not as great as it once was, and they’re no longer automatically inducing early. It all depends on the blood results, so ring the hospital and arrange to get tested.

Check the link op

I itched unbearably during the second half of my pregnancy but the tests were negative for cholestasis. The itching stopped as soon as I gave birth. Obviously get checked out ASAP, but don’t panic because it isn’t necessarily cholestasis.

Make sure you insist even if they say it is only if you have itching on hands and feet. I didn't itch in the classic spots, so they tried to say it wouldn't be, but it was. No harm in a quick blood test. How far along are you?

Don't worry all will be well. I had OC with my recent pregnancy - was diagnosed at 35 weeks after routine bloods (for slight high blood pressure) showed my liver was going a bit haywire and bile acids were over 100 (normal range for bile acids is less than 10), although oddly I wasn't all that itchy all the time. There is no treatment available unfortunately but they will look to induce between 37-38 weeks if you have OC and are in the UK.

Recent studies have shown that if your bile acids remain less than 40 there is very little risk to baby and you can go to term, but many consultants in the Uk will still not take the risk. Over 100 is where they start to worry as there is an increased risk of stillbirth (still only a very low risk mind) after 37 weeks as the acid can cross the placenta.

You should speak to your midwife and mention the itchiness - they will test your blood for bile acid levels and go from there. If they come back normal and you're still itchy, they should repeat in 2 weeks as it can take a while for increase bile acids to show in blood work.

I was terrified when I was diagnosed and had a tense couple of weeks waiting to be induced because my levels were so high, but all was well. My DD (now 13 weeks) was born a perfectly healthy 6lb 14oz at 37+1 after a v quick and easy induction and neither of us had any issues.

Good luck!

I had very itchy hands and feet so went for blood tests which came back negative. They still bloody itch but i think it's cos they've got swollen and dry and my feet sweet more which makes them itch.

Do you have dry skin?

I have woken up today and not so itchy, the odd itch here there and everywhere but not severe, no i dont have dry skin, i am 36+5.. thankyou for everyones responses minus a few x

Best to rule it out OP so speak to your midwife

I itched unbearably during the second half of my pregnancy but the tests were negative for cholestasis. The itching stopped as soon as I gave birth.

That’s PUPPPS. Absolute torture
And most healthcare professionals have never heard of it.

Could be PUPPPS, OP. Did the itching start on your belly/in your stretchmarks?

You need medical advice even if it is.

I had it again last night so iv text my midwife just now and asked for advice x