Intro - Cholestasis?

mmeans1224

Hi everyone!

I have had a pretty normal pregnancy up until last week.  I mentioned to my doctor that I have been itching all over and it's so bad that it keeps me up at night!  She told me to try Benadryl but when that didn't help at all she told me she wanted to test me for a condition called Cholestasis.  I was told to call the office this past Friday to get the results for my blood work.  I called and had to leave a message but when they called back the nurse told me my doctor wasn't in but she had another doctor take a look at my blood work and everything looked fine.  Cholestasis wasn't causing the itching.  However, Sunday evening my doctor called me at home!! She said my bile acid levels were elevated (31) and I do have Cholestasis!  She called in a prescription for me that night and sent me to the hospital yesterday to have my first NST.  She told me she also has to talk to the high risk doctor but it looks like we will probably have to induce no later than 37 weeks!  I am a little in shock still.  3 weeks just seems a lot closer than 6 weeks and I keep worrying about whether my little girl is safe in there!!  Does anyone else here have this condition??  I guess it is pretty rare.  Thanks for listening ladies!

Kadyra

It's not common, but I wouldn't call it rare, if that makes sense.

The Actigall or Ursodiol that you're taking is supposed to bind up the excess bile acids in your body so you can poop them out. I've never had a patient tell me it helped with the itching, unfortunately. It just keeps them down at a normal level so your baby is less at risk. The itching is caused by bile acids depositing in the skin. It takes about six weeks for them to clear out, so you're looking at itching for a while after you deliver. An antihistamine called Atarax or Vistaril generic is hydroxyzine sometimes can help with the itch.

It is a scary situation. And as surprised as you are about having your baby at 37 weeks, your LO is better out than in then. And who knows? You may have delivered naturally then anyway. I wish you luck.

JoannaR1381

Hi.  I had Cholestasis with both of my pregnancies.  The first time we didn't catch it until I was 38 weeks and I was induced that day.  The second time I was induced at 36 weeks.  Both of my kids are alive and well although DS did spend some time in the NICU as a result of being early.  The above poster is right, once the lungs mature, they are better out than in.  Feel free to PM me if you need any further info.

Hang in there, I know how scary it can be.

mmeans1224

Thanks so much for the info ladies!!  I think the unknown is the scariest.  I've done a little research online but I don't want to look too much and see the scary stuff.  I do feel better knowing it's a little more common than I thought and as long as we get her out earlier than normal, LO should be just fine!