Obstetric Cholestasis..

[Tomatefarcie]

Good morning!

Am 33 weeks pg with Number 3, and itchy all over. I had OC with DD2, diagnosed late (about 37 weeks), was on Urso for a few days, bile levels kept rising and rising, so they decided to induce me the following day.

Now it looks like OC is back, got some blood tests done on Thursday, results not in yet. However, mw said "Oh things have changed a lot in 4 years". Apparently, I won't get monitored in hospital (had to go everyday to monitor baby's hearbeat for an hour or two), and I might not even get induced.

Anyone had OC recently (or currently being treated?)? Are you going to be induced? Are you monitored?

Thanks!

Are you on Facebook? You could try the OC Support group...

www.facebook.com/#/group.php?gid=5606765039

And here www.ocsupport.org.uk

I had OC when I was about 37 weeks with DS (Feb 08) and the plan was to induce me at 38 weeks. As it happened, my waters broke the day after the diagnosis and I was induced at 37 +3 anyway.

They did say that the thinking behind there being any danger to the baby had changed over recent years (to there being less evidence that it's linked to any problems) and I guess this was their reasoning behind not inducing me immediately.

I find this quite scary that you are not going to be monitered and checked.

I had OC from 30 weeks. I was monitored twice a week for an hour and continuously in labour when I was induced at 38 weeks.

My doctor did say that the risk to the baby is minimal these days especially if you've been on Urso but my doctor still wanted me monitored just incase.

Just delievered last week. Everything was fine. You should insist you are monitored at least once a week at your stage - I would think.

I had OC with both my babies. Most recently I gave birth 7 weeks ago. I was diagnosed with OC at 34 week, and monitored every day (baby's hb) and had weekly scans til they induced me at 37+4.

I understand that it depends on where you live, and not all health authorities induce you anymore. This is based on research which shows that although there is an increased risk of stillbirth with OC, the increase is soooooo small, that actually the risks associated with induction are worse/as bad!

My consultant said "up to you, really - although I would recommend induction still" so I went with the induction.

Thank you ladies!

I guess it's another case of postcode lottery.

Mary, thank you for the links, will have a look in a minute. I did google last time, but found myself on websites with a condoleances page, I was an absolute state after reading that! (especially when I read a poor lady had lost her baby at 41 weeks after her consultant refused to induce her).

If/when diagnosis is confirmed, I shall insist on monitoring and induction. I didn't have any extra scans with DD2 though.

LittlePeanut: congratulations!