Any idea on what's wrong with me?

[EmmyJ21]

All of a sudden from around 31/32 weeks I've been feeling worse and worse. 3rd pregnancy but I can't ever remember feeling this bad.

Most days I physically can't do anything I feel so ill, I am either lying on the sofa or in bed. I constantly go hot and cold all the time, feel faint whenever I stand up or try to do anything. Sometimes even whilst lying down it'll hit me.
I constantly feel nauseous, weak and extreme fatigue, as I said most days I can't get out of bed. I only just about manage to get myself in the shower or bath but haven't washed my hair in over 2 weeks because of how I feel.

I'm 35+3 currently. I have obstetric cholestasis, I have been having days of extreme pain, reduced movements, bleeding etc. Had 3 hospital admissions in the past 2 weeks and god knows how many daytime visits. But they can't find what it could be, scans all look fine except PI to umbilical artery is high so being rescanned tomorrow but I feel as though I'm going insane and/or the hospital think I'm making it up. Surely this is not normal at all? To the point I can't even make dinner or do any housework, my partner is having to do everything whilst working full time too.

I'm not usually like this at all, all my meals are made from scratch( well most) I keep my house clean and tidy, on top of laundry, myself etc. But I physically can't do anything. I haven't even washed any of baby's clothes yet or packed a hospital bag because I have zero energy to do it and anytime I get up I feel as though I'm going to pass out?!

Not a clue but sounds awful and not normal at all. Hope you and baby are ok x

Is your Bp & iron levels ok?

@Needingsupportplease

Not a clue but sounds awful and not normal at all. Hope you and baby are ok x

Thank you, her heart rate is always normal on ctgs and she's constantly active. It's just me, I don't feel normal at all! I feel selfish saying it because all I should be bothered about is her but because I know she's fine, but I'm still struggling with all of this it makes me think there must be something they aren't picking up.

My csection is getting booked next week for when I am 39 weeks, so l have less than 4 weeks left. I've asked for it to be earlier because of how bad I am feeling 37/38 if possible but they won't as long as they can't find anything wrong and she's happy. It's really tough :(

@crobo87

Is your Bp & iron levels ok?

My blood pressure is always on the lower side anyway, they said there's nothing they can do about that and to keep drinking fluids. My iron was quite low but since then I've been on iron tablets and it's come up significantly, been on them for around 5/6 weeks.

I really hope you don’t feel like I’m undermining any of your struggles because you sound like you’re having a really tough time. Do you think any of this could be your mental health? Do you normally have any anxieties? I’m currently 35 weeks and with the perinatal mental health team because my anxiety & cptsd have very real and physical manifestations xx

Hi Emmyj are they keeping an eye on your liver levels? Cholestasis can leave you exhausted, where is the pain? ( I had this with my first) Not long to go now though don’t worry about getting checked out that’s what they are there for if you have any concerns.

@Sheisfee

I really hope you don’t feel like I’m undermining any of your struggles because you sound like you’re having a really tough time. Do you think any of this could be your mental health? Do you normally have any anxieties? I’m currently 35 weeks and with the perinatal mental health team because my anxiety & cptsd have very real and physical manifestations xx

I don't think that at all any advice is appreciated! I do struggle with my mental health in general but I take medication to manage it and have done for years now after 2 psychiatric admissions. This is managed well and I don't feel as though I'm going downhill mentally, surprisingly I'm actually holding it together better than I thought I would feeling this unwell but I don't miss any days of my medication so unlikely it would be due to that? X

@Mayjane5

Hi Emmyj are they keeping an eye on your liver levels? Cholestasis can leave you exhausted, where is the pain? ( I had this with my first) Not long to go now though don’t worry about getting checked out that’s what they are there for if you have any concerns.

Yes, itching is unbearable. With my first pregnancy I was induced a few days after finding out but I didn't find out until 38 weeks. 2nd pregnancy avoided it all together. Now my bile acids are currently 19.7 highest have been 24 but all of these have been fasting results. The pain is under my bump & my chest on the left hand side

God yes the itching is awful isn’t it, I thought the pain maybe icp related on your chest? But maybe the pain under the belly just a sign things are starting to move along. Sounds like you are being monitored well I would just take it easy if you can and don’t feel hesitant if you feel the need to call the midwife/hospital, x

Hi OP.
Fellow ICP mummy here.
When did you last have your bile acids checked? I think if you’re feeling as bad as you are then maybe you should get them checked again. I’m sure you know that bile acids can change suddenly, and not wishing to worry you, a jump at this stage in your pregnancy could put you at the threshold of an earlier delivery. Also, is there any reason why your tests have been done fasting? It’s really important to ensure your bile acids are tested 60-90 mins after eating, as the peak bile acid result is important for assessing the risk to your unborn baby.
Don’t worry about calling the hospital again. Ultimately they are there to ensure that both you and your unborn baby are safe and well cared for.

@FamilyAreEverything

Hi OP. Fellow ICP mummy here. When did you last have your bile acids checked? I think if you’re feeling as bad as you are then maybe you should get them checked again. I’m sure you know that bile acids can change suddenly, and not wishing to worry you, a jump at this stage in your pregnancy could put you at the threshold of an earlier delivery. Also, is there any reason why your tests have been done fasting? It’s really important to ensure your bile acids are tested 60-90 mins after eating, as the peak bile acid result is important for assessing the risk to your unborn baby. Don’t worry about calling the hospital again. Ultimately they are there to ensure that both you and your unborn baby are safe and well cared for.

The last ones were taken on Monday, reason for fasting is because all of the appointments have been early morning appointments and I've not yet ate or only had an apple on the way to the hospital

God that sounds awful op! Sorry to hear it's been such a slog for you. Odd they can't seem to pin point why. Hope you feel better soon not long to go

I was going to say have you googled PoTS, but it sounds as though you already have your diagnosis tbh. And don't forget, OC plus slightly low iron, slightly low blood pressure, constant anxiety, and two other children will very quickly add up to make you feel absolutely lousy. I'd speak to your consultant about it again though personally (FWIW when medical professionals tell me "it's nothing to worry about" I always make a point of asking them what WOULD be a cause for concern, so I know what I'm looking out for)

I have the same feeling with you - physically can't do anything and always feel light headed whilst walking around. I fainted at 17wks, which made me very very nervous about this pregnancy. Doctor said my blood pressure is a bit low (around 100/60 - however, mw says it's normal). They arranged Echo for me next week to check my heart. My heart is racing after breakfast everyday, I have to lie in bed. This is really annoying and make me constantly feel I am weak and I cannot make it to the end of pregnancy. It puts a lot of stress on me. Anxieties also attacks me randomly, but I really don't want to take antidepressant. Before pregnancy, I was all good. I think pandemic plays a great role in making me feel sick/unsafe in pregnancy. Hopefully vaccination can help me feel better. I'm 27wks now and just had first dose.