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Original poster

Whats that obstetric cholestasis???

26 replies

HelenEmjay · 12/08/2005 09:05

I know there has been a post or two about this but i have just been looking and i cant find it! im obviously having an idiot day! i also seem to be having a run of probs lately too! i had swelling problems the last few days and after seeing my midwife about this and a small worry i had about my previous c-section scars i dont feel i can keep hassling the poor ante natal clinic...... but, i have woken up this morning and i am soooooo itchy - ALL OVER!! - my legs my arms my face the backs of my hands look like i have a heat rash or something but i have had heat rash and it wasnt quite like this! i am so itchy i could just scratch my skin off (sorry) my better self is telling me to get a grip as all i seem to do is worry about little things at the moment and that i have hassled people enough, but then as im sure you all know, there is always that little voice saying 'but what if!' im not saying it is that obstetric colestatsis thingy, but i wouldnt mind making sure! im trying to make myself get a grip! - ive turned into a drama queen!!

xxxxxx

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Maddison · 12/08/2005 19:54

Hi there, i'm sure obstetric colestatis is something to do with the liver and that it causes itching - if i remember correctly it can be quite a nasty thing and should be checked out. Hopefully somebody will be able to give you more info.

And don't worry about hassling the ante-natal clinic, it's what they're there for.

Dannie · 12/08/2005 20:14

Try searching archived messages for just "cholestasis". and don't worry about hassling midwives, it's a potentially serious condition if not properly monitored and you should hasssle them. Plus the itching is intolerable. You have all my sympathy . If you can't get attention, tell them the baby has stopped moving.

Distel · 12/08/2005 20:29

It is something to do with the liver (can't remember what though). I convinced myself I had this with ds1.....turned out I was allergic to being pregnant (hormones).

spacecadet · 12/08/2005 20:36

its caused by the liver being unable to cope, the symptoms are mainly severe itching, dark urine etc, but the itching is unbearable, if you are worried contact your maternity day assesment unit and they will arrange liver functio and bile salts tests.
oc info

Dannie · 12/08/2005 20:55

Spacecadet, you optimist! My stupid consultant refused to do the tests (long, boring story probably available elsewhere on Mumsnet) but DS2 is now 21 months and fabulous. I do remember between contractions thinking "Hey, I don't itch any more".

Original poster
HelenEmjay · 13/08/2005 09:14

Thanks ladies, went and saw Dr and he did blood tests and i just got them back saying everything is normal! but i am still scrathing myself stupid! so who knows what it is, i have never had anything like this before! i can see myself loosing the plot before too long!!!!

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MaryBS · 16/08/2005 03:38

You don't get a rash with Obstetric Cholestasis - I had it both times when I was pregnant with my two. This website gives information on the condition:

www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/content/diseases/obstetic_cholestasis.asp

There is also a support line, Jenny was fantastic when I was going through it all:

www.guide-information.org.uk/guide/search_index_detail.lasso?RecID=G30199

There is another post on mumsnet about rashes and itching:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=138&threadid=6257&stamp=030225000000

I must admit I'd heard of PUPPS and that sounds like what you may have.....

Amity1975 · 21/08/2005 21:48

my itching was only on the palms and soles of my feet (classic symptom) and my wee was very dark and poo very pale (yuk sorry).
nasty itching wasn't just itching it was really really bad. to say the itching was bad is like saying the sun is a bit hot!!!!

Amity1975 · 21/08/2005 21:49

mind you tests can come back negative for up to 2 weeks before it shows in the blood work so if the itching continues then get tested again. I would sit with my hands in the freezer to stop the itching!!

kcemum · 22/08/2005 20:13

I used to scrape my palms along brick walls to try to stop the itching

Amity1975 · 24/08/2005 22:21

I still put my hands in the freezer some months. I get period induced OC now

kcemum · 24/08/2005 22:36

I get monthly itching of the soles and palms too, got used to it eventually but still find myself subconsciosly scratching.

Amity1975 · 24/08/2005 22:41

I never had it after the first two preganacies but after the last (she's two at xmas) its been awful.

Amity1975 · 24/08/2005 23:30

Mind you having Oc saved my daughters life. because of Oc i was scanned every week. AT one of these scans at 33wks they found she had fluid in her chest that had pushed her heart so far across that she could have a heart attack at any time, they drained her chest then it reappeared so they delivered by c section at 34weeks. If i had not had oc she would have died.

Original poster
HelenEmjay · 26/08/2005 16:42

Wow really amity? - i bet you were so very relieved! I have had my fill of useless Dr's and consultants now having had so many people tell me of how they have lost one sometimes 2 or 3 babies to OC and it never showed up on blood test results, i was annoyed as hell at having to wait until yesterday to see my consultant as im now 36 weeks and i have been told most things that go wrong with baby tend to be at about 37-38 weeks so felt they were cutting things a little fine, as i wanted to discuss delivering baby a little earlier if possible to reduce the risk, well, i sat for 2 and half hours to see this consultant only to get in there and some other man who said my consultant was on holiday, so he couldnt give me a date or anything but i will take some more blood and check your bp!!! - i swear i could have swung for him, i could have gone to my midwife for that and only been half an hour! aaarrrrggghhhh! and what if i do have this OC? they want me to go back next thursday and have a scan and get my date then! i cant describe how pi**ed off i am! some Dr's are just beyond stupid!

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Amity1975 · 26/08/2005 23:37

Ask to see the consulatnt in charge and ask to be delivered early. do not move from his/her office until you get what you want. it's your body and baby. If in doubt they should prescribe ursofalk as it doesn't harm the baby but no baby has died while the mother was taking it

Amity1975 · 26/08/2005 23:43

get in contact with [email protected]
she is the expert and lost two of her 4 babies to oc so she knows how you are feeling too.

Although i never had a rash just itched so hopefully it isn't OC.

i went to 41 weeks with my first and she's fine. the 2nd had to be delivered before 38 weeks, so you could ask to be delivered before 38wks if you are that worried.

Amity1975 · 26/08/2005 23:46

phone them tomorrow and chase up the blood results, just in case. weekly scans are good. also count the movements if there isn't 10 in any hour go straight to the hospital. Also what colour is your wee and poo (sorry)?

Original poster
HelenEmjay · 27/08/2005 10:31

Wee and poo is ok amity, thats the one thing im hanging to right now as they remain ok - im hoping its not OC! (if that makes any sense?) i have emailed jenny chambers and i hope to speak to her soon! I am worried but since itching has become better- only very slightly better, but still better, but even if i insist they deliver me at 38 instead of 39 weeks, what possible trouble could that cause?? i thought they considered term at 37 weeks?? i dont seem to have ever met a Dr/nurse/midwife/consultant who actually seemed to know what they were talking about and even made out they understood anyones concerns! - they all seem to busy working to their 'guidelines' and what they should or shouldnt do!

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Amity1975 · 28/08/2005 09:57

If you wee and poo is ok then it probably isn't oc. at leastthe first indications with me was wee, poo colour and then itching and it took 2 weeks for it to show in blood work but wee was first. so i think you are ok!! chase up blood work though.

Original poster
HelenEmjay · 28/08/2005 14:30

Oh thanks amity! i would MUCH prefer to think i havent got OC, i think i would find it strange if i did have it too as i havent had it with either of my other pregancies! but i suppose that doesnt mean i cant get it! hopefully a couple of weeks from now i will have my little baby, and it will all be over!

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Amity1975 · 30/08/2005 16:06

I hope it goes well for you.

MaryBS · 04/09/2005 20:10

Can I just say when I had OC, my wee and poo were fine....

Original poster
HelenEmjay · 05/09/2005 09:28

Where they marybs? well i had bloods taken again a couple of days ago and they came back fine again! - very slightly elevated but fine!??? they have booked me in to have my c-section next monday (12th) anyway so hopefully all will be fine, if my nerves dont get me first!! i have to say though if there was any other test that was more likely to pick it up im pretty sure they would find something, i always trust my instincts and im certain something isnt right!

OP posts:
MaryBS · 05/09/2005 20:37

Yes, I was told that only 20% of women with OC develop jaundice (ie have pale poo and dark urine). The test to have if they'll do it is the Serum bile acid test.

I contacted Jenny Chambers btw - the helpline number doesn't work anymore as she's moved house and is trying to find somewhere else permanent to live. Has she been in touch yet?