Cholestasis, section and new pregnancy

[teaandcrumpets35]

I had my ds 10 years ago. Was induced after developing cholestasis late in pregnancy. This resulted in an emergency c section after two days of labour. Not a pleasant experience.

I'm now pregnant again and wondering what will happen. I had heard that you get offered an elective section after having one before. Is this true? I feel like I've forgotten everything about pregnancy after ten years! I remember the doctor telling me that cholestasis is extremely likely to affect any other pregnancies after having it once so will that play a part in delivery and monitoring throughout?

Any advice much appreciated.

Bump

Hey!

I had OC with my first pregnancy, which also ended in an emergency c section. I lost 4.5 litres and had sepsis after and was really quite unwell, but I went for a planned section with my second born this spring which was lovely!

Funnily enough I didn’t develop OC this time round, even though I was told the chances are fairly high - I had a really straightforward pregnancy.

I could have tried for a VBAC, and the doctor said the chances of a successful VBAC was around 60-65% but after such a horrible first birth I didn’t want to risk it! They would have been really happy for me to attempt a ‘normal’ delivery, I think it’s only after a second section for any future births you automatically have to have a section if that makes sense?

I was consultant led for my second but more due to the previous birth than the OC, I just got told to tell my midwife if I started having any itching

Thanks for replying :-)
So were you offered the option of both a VBAC or an elective section?

Yes I was! I was really certain I wanted a section, so I got some information sent through the post and then a follow up call with a consultant at 36 weeks to confirm my choice and get a date to go in, was at 39 weeks exactly.

I remember the consultant saying if your section wasn’t due to failure to progress you’re more likely to have a successful VBAC. My first got stuck when pushing (was back to back and 9lb) but I felt like I’d probably end up with another big one and didn’t want to run the risk of them getting stuck again - I’m glad I did as they were 9lb 10 at 39 weeks!

Sorry I meant to say if your first section wasn’t due to failure to progress!

I was pushed to have a vbac by a consultant who was obviously more interested in keeping the costs down. In pregnancy 2 my levels didn't reach OC level until after 38 weeks, so it was all a bit of a rush. Induction was out of the question due to previous c section and I wasn't able to have water's broken.I just hung around with nil by mouth until they were ready to do the non-emergency section. Be firm with your choices and your plan b. I can honestly say I didn't feel like the medical professionals were on the side of doing right by me either time.

My section was due to failure to progress. For the first few hours things progressed well but then everything just seemed to stop. I had failed forceps that left my ds with issues after birth. I wouldn't want to repeat any of that.

Ideally I would prefer a planned section rather than face the uncertainty. I'm in the very early stages so I'll have to see if OC develops again as well.

I found my planned section really lovely. It was nice and calm, and I recovered much much quicker than the emergency, I was home next day!

I found the certainty of knowing I was having one and being prepared for the discomfort made it so much easier

@Oliveandsage I think I would feel completely the same when the time comes. I felt totally out of control with my first labour but a planned section for me would be the opposite. I do hope that they offer me one.

@teaandcrumpets35 you can ask for one, regardless if they offer you it or not (but they should) - if the consultant you first get won’t sign it off they just refer you to one that will. I had no problems at all getting it signed off, the male consultant I had didn’t even question it at all, said it was completely my choice and they’d support it.