Obstetric cholestasis

Hi

I am really worried that I may have OC... I have severe intense itching all over each day, particularly in the mornings after my shower. I can only shower in luke warm water and have to be really careful not to use any fussy products... although just plain water makes me itch madly! The tops of my legs, upper arms and hip areas are the worst but I can itch anywhere including around my jaw! I have had itching throughout my pregnancy from really early on and have always had sensitive skin but I think it is getting worse or I am noticing more as not so easy to reach an itch!!! Nothing seems to calm the itching at the time when it is severe and I just end up dancing around cursing until it passes (usually takes an hour or so to calm enough to be bareable but can continue to itch to some degree for hours!)...

I had blood taken yesterday to test for OC and now having read loads on the net about it this morning my mind is now a complete wash of worry and concern. Particularly worried about how it can cause still birth and that if I do have it, I will need to be induced or have c section before my due date - this would be devastating for me as I am booked for a home water birth, hate hospitals, I am dead against induction and intervention!!!! It is horrible just sitting here and waiting for them to call with the results - not even sure when the results will be back to the surgery!

Please, if anyone out there has had the condition or had experience of it, could you share your thoughts and experiences?

Many Thanks
M & 35 week bump
xxx

hi there, i thought i had oc when i was about twenty weeks as i was getting the itching on my hands and legs at night and woke up to find that i had been bleeding with all the scrathing id done. doctor checked my arms to see if there was any signs of jaundice, had my blood tested and my liver was given the all clear. the doctor prescribed an unperfumed lotion, a bottle of bath oil and some antibotics if it got really bad itching again.
i have sensitive skin and i realised that i was washing my hands alot more than normal at work and i think that the constant washing had dried out my skin which caused the mad itching so i made sure i used moistuiser and tried not to wash as much.
my doctor didnt think it was oc as i have had several problems with dry skin through my life and it is quite a rare condition but glad i was checked out all the same. you should get your results two to three days after your blood was taken so give your docs a phone and see if they are through. really hope that all will be well for you. let us know how you get on :)suzxxxxxx

Hi Suz

Thanks ever so much for your reply. I am hoping that it is just my sensitive skin being escalated by the pregnancy hormones but when you are in a moment of intense itching your mind races as to what it could be!! I find water touching my skin really iritable (even rain!!) and have hand lotion by the sink for every time I wash my hands!! The thing is I find putting cream on anywhere stimulates the skin and therefore seems to intensify the itching rather than calm it so I just feel I am going round in circles!!! Fingers crossed the blood results will give the all clear for OC and then I will know I will just have to dance around cursing for a few more weeks!! lol .. My mind will be a lot more settled if I can get some reassurance it is not affecting the baby! I'll let you know when I get results!! Thanks again, M xx

yeah, definitely you have to double check with doctor to clear your mind. im 38 weeks and i went over to hospital the other night worried i had pre eclampsia cause my feet and ankles suddenly started to really swell up and it happened so quickly but i was thoroughly checked next day by midwife but i was just so glad cause in your mind your thinking should i get checked, is everything ok. get your doctor to prescribe some soothing lotions to help your skin and fingers crossed for you both!:)suzxxxxxxx

Hi,
I'm now 27+6 and had severe itching at 19 weeks. I went to the doctor and he sent me for blood tests for cholestasis. When I went to the midwife to get the results he had not requested the right tests - you need liver function tests and bile acid level tests. They came back normal and the itching subsided. At the time I found calamine lotion a life saver. I still have some itching on my hands but I did used to get excema there when I was young and it seems to be worse when the pollen count is high. I had to see the consultant because I had a previous c-section and big baby. When I mentioned it to him he said all levels were normal but he gave me forms to go for the blood tests every month to keep an eye on it which gives me peace of mind.
I found some excellent information from www.ocsupport.org.uk and from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. There's an american website called itchymoms but I found them a bit alarmist and paranoid.
Good luck, let us know what happens
Kath

Hi Kath, Thanks for the info... i'll check out the websites! I hope I am worried over nothing and it is just one of the more annoying things about being pregnant!! I am going to phone the doc surgery tomorrow to ask if my blood results are back so fingers crossed I should know soon. I am still itching like mad all over, especially after a shower and at night in bed!!! My upper arms really hurt with the itching!!!! I won't be seeing the consultant again - would normally be due to see them again around now but I am on midwife led care only but I am sure they would refer me if they were concerned - I will get test results and then contact midwife if anything is picked up! I will get blood test done again in two weeks - only 4.5 weeks till baby due now so hopefully not long and baby will have arrived anyway!!!

Suz - how are you and how is the swelling? I have swollen feet today which is quite sore as my ankles can't bend for the built up fluid, so I empathise! Any signs of baby making an appearance yet??

I'll let you know when I get the results!

Take care all

M
xx

Hi Kath & Suz,

Well the doc surgery has said this morning that my liver test is clear at the moment and so should be okay - phew! They have said that OC doesn't always show up in blood tests and so I will need to be continued to be tested for it at each visit for as long as the itching continues!! I didn't know that it might not show in blood test first time round!! I am still itching like mad but at least I am not panicking so much each time I get really itchy!! So I will just have to keep dancing about, cursing the itching but keep telling myself it is okay.. lol.

Hope you are both fine...Thanks for your support & info!

Luv
M
xx

hi there, glad to hear that results came back clear for you! yeah had swelling last week and my ankles were like tree trunks and very uncomfortable. was really concerned about pre eclampsia. i cant bend down anymore cause my legs feel so stiff. got checked out and midwife said the only real symptom of pre eclam is high blood pressure and that was fine so just hope not long to go now cause my tummy feels like it cant stretch anymore! baby is still trying to stretch legs so think she is realising that space is very limited now! time to come out and pass baby to daddy for a while, haha. hope that you dont have long to go now, well it will have to happen sometime this month! :)suzxxxxxxxx

Hi Suz

Glad your okay, with exception of swelling and baby ready to pop! My swelling is bad this week - the OH is quite concerned as he can't believe the size my feet and ankles can get to by the end of the day!!! lol! My BP has been fine throughout the pregnancy and my face and hands aren;t swollen so I am not to concerned about it - it's just really uncomfortable having huge feet and legs isn't it!??? Your baby is bound to make an appearance soon... I am already willing for mine to arrive and I am only 36 wks now ... but look full term as everyone keeps kindly reminding me!!! Anyway, best of luck ... hope the swelling eases off for you (&me!) and babies arrive soon!!

M
xx