Obstetric Cholestasis anyone?

Mommy2Boys09

Just wondering if any of you ladies had ever experienced this in previous pregnancies or maybe know someone who has? My hands started itching like crazy Friday night. I didn't think much of it until I decided to google it Sunday night, I just thought I'd find some good kind of lotion I could use. I didn't think I'd find an actual medical condition. Called my doctor Monday morning (didn't mention the google search) and she wanted blood work to check for this. I went in yesterday morning to talk with her and I actually have a few symptoms for it (yay me) so now I'm just waiting for my regular appointment next Wednesday to hear the results. 

griffers

I have never heard of this but I am sorry you have to deal with! Is there anything they can do for it?

Mommy2Boys09

@griffers They'll give me medicine to try to get my gallbladder and liver working better but there's a risk of the bile acids getting into the amniotic fluid and hurting the baby. I'll have to keep getting blood work done to monitor the bile acid levels, have an nst done every other week and I'll have to be induced at 37 weeks. After 37 weeks there is a big risk of delivering a stillborn. This is what the midwife said but I will have to talk to the doctor to find everything out for sure.

griffers

Wow that is some scary stuff! T & P!

c8lin2may

A good friend of mine is also pregnant right now, is due in August, and she just found out she has this. Her hands itch all the time. She has to have her baby early because there is a good chance of stillbirth if she carries her child to the due date. I think she is being induced at 38 weeks, but it might be sooner. I was was so surprised when I heard that she was having complications because she is such a healthy woman. It really can happen to anyone. T and P your way.

Klavanga74

I woke up in the middle of the night one night last week with the soles of my feet itching like crazy. So, of course, I googled to see if it could be a pregnancy symptom. I came up with cholestasis, too. I called the dr. And they ordered a blood test to check. It's happened again one time, but I'm not itchy all the time. I should get test results tomorrow. FX for both of us!

Mommy2Boys09

Good luck @Klavanga74 ! Let me know what they say, if you don't mind! I'm getting a little nervous about my appointment on Wednesday. 

Klavanga74

@Mommy2boys09...I called in today and they said everything was negative.  I know there are a couple of different tests that they can do and one is more general and less informative and then measuring the actual bile levels with more telling.  I will be sure to ask exactly what they tested in me because from the sound of the lady at the lab, they might have just done the more general.  I've been itching more, though I have to say it's not awful.  My understanding is that it tends to get worse as pregnancy progresses and that it may not be initially detected if tested early.  So, I'll monitor the itching and keep the Drs. informed so that they test again if something still doesn't feel right.  I feel like it's one of those things you don't want to mess around with and not know that you have it since the risk of stillbirth is higher.  For now, I'm not worried because I think it's early enough to not be a problem.  Hope you're distracting yourself until Weds. and thinking positive!

Mommy2Boys09

@Klavanga74 I'm glad to hear it came back negative. I know they tested me for the bile levels. I actually feel a lot better. I'm not itching as bad as I was, so hopefully that's a good sign. It's worse at night so I've been taking benadryl before bed but I didn't even bother last night and done fine. I have my moments when I get really nervous but my boys are keeping me pretty distracted I actually think I pulled a muscle in my upper back. It's a lot more troublesome than the itchy hands. 

bumpuser10309732

I don't have any experience but sounds scary and just wanted to offer some support! T&P's that everything goes ok for you and LO

Klavanga74

@Mommy2boys09 - hopefully it's not what you thought - maybe just some weird pregnancy coincidence!  You've got your itchy hands full with your two little ones!  Keep me posted!

atraveller

@Mommy2boys09 - Sorry you are dealing with this. I've actually had itching on and off for the last bunch of weeks. They originally diagnosed me with PUPPS because it started on my stomach (not hands and feet) and I did appear to have a bit of a rash. But then after a week the rash went away and the itchnig stayed and I itch in all different places - sometimes stomach, sometimes chest, sometimes hands or feet, some times thighs. But no rash has returned. I've been managing the itching with Zyrtech (doctor's recommend) taken every other day. When the rash began, I also tarted using Pine Tar Soap which may or may not have contributed to its disapearance. Anyways - they tested me as well for Cholestasis - and did both the liver blood test and the bile test (which takes a week to come back) and I was negative for both - found out about biles on Friday of last week.

My doctor said that sometimes people have itchiness in pregnancy - especially in the third trimester that is unexplained but isn't harmful to the baby. I'm hoping that is the case for you and your test comes back negative. Sending big huge T&Ps your way and hoping everything is good with you and your Lo.

@Klavanga74 - I would definitely check on which tests they ran - check with your doctor. But if it took a week for the blood work to come back then it likely is they did check bile levels, as the general liver blood test only takes about 24 hours or so to give results.

Waterlilly11

I JUST got bloodwork done for this. I woke up and my hands have been insanely itchy for 3 days. Gah! Hope you feel better soon!

Mommy2Boys09

@Klavanga74 and everyone else wondering, my tests were negative! No cholestasis for this momma! Plus, the itching has actually stopped  

Klavanga74

@Mommy2Boys09‌ ...yay! I just realized I needed of log on and see what you found out? Very happy for you! Great news. Now we can breathe a sigh of relief.