Obstetric cholestasis - 39 weeks!

[Alychloe]

Hi all! I went into day assessment unit today as had insane itching all night last night and just got the results that I have mild obstetric cholestasis and have to go in to hospital to see doctor!

Has anyone else been diagnosed this late in pregnancy and if so how was it managed? Thank you :)

Hi. Yes I was diagnosed with obstetric cholestasis at 39 weeks. Mine was quite bad though (I had itching for a week or so but didn't think anything of it and just randomly mentioned it to my midwife over the phone). I was induced the same day as my blood results came back - it was a bit of a shock but all went well and my daughter arrived less than 24 hrs later.

If its mild they might just keep an eye on it with regular blood tests. Good luck X x

@Quail15 thank you for the response! So glad everything went well for you :) Midwife said on the phone that the Doctor will prescribe ursodeoxycholic acid and didn’t mention induction. So my levels must not be too alarming! Just a little scared after reading the word stillbirth in every blooming article about Cholestasis.

That's good, it doesn't sound like they are too worried. Googling is the worst thing to do 😁 it always comes up with the worst case example.

I hope all goes well and the medication helps X x

I was diagnosed at around 16 weeks so can't really help. But take the medication and ask about Induction. I had both mine at 36 weeks. The itching is terrible and nothing helped.

Hi! I was diagnosed a little earlier than that at around 35 weeks. I was induced at 37 weeks which was the guidance at the time. There’s been some recent research done that providing your bile acids are low (below 40) that you can continue to 39 weeks, but I don’t know what happens after that. I’d highly recommend joining the ICP Support Facebook group. It’s run by a lovely lady called Jenny Chambers who works with the researchers in London. I’m sure she will be able to give you some advice.