*Please Read* Obstetric Cholestasis

[MommyGrim]

I did not have lesions, but I had cholestasis. Your symptoms sound exactly how mine were. It's much more common in a twin pregnancy than a singleton pregnancy.

Seems that a lot of the nasty ones tend to be more apparent in twin pregnancies Definitely doesn't help the stress!

 

[pixie23]

And yes, my OC was worse some days than others.

 

[Jchihuahua]

I'm pretty sure my OC has started again . I am a bit of an expert as I had it in my last two pregnancies and was induced both times because of it. I had LFTs and bile acids done last week and they were okay but my palms and soles of my feet are SO itchy at night that I know when I have the bloods redone next week my levels will be raised *sigh*.

 

[simplyamazed]

My blood tests for OC came back positive on Thursday, they didnt go into too much detail about levels but and I was induced that evening. Had my baby yesterday morning.

 

[MommyGrim]

Finally had the blood test done (was done on Friday at L&D as my dr offices refused to do it) and it didn't get sent out till today because of the weekend. So I should know by Wednesday if I have cholestasis, at the latest Friday.
How did having cholestasis all of your pregnancies? Were you monitored closer? I ask my (now ex) OB and she told me that they would do nothing if I had it, which didn't seem right but I have no idea

 

[Dime Cuando]

Finally had the blood test done (was done on Friday at L&D as my dr offices refused to do it) and it didn't get sent out till today because of the weekend. So I should know by Wednesday if I have cholestasis, at the latest Friday.
How did having cholestasis all of your pregnancies? Were you monitored closer? I ask my (now ex) OB and she told me that they would do nothing if I had it, which didn't seem right but I have no idea

I was induced the following day as I was just over 37 weeks. There was another lady there with OC (twin pregnancy) at 34 weeks and they were monitoring her until she reached 37 weeks or as close as with the intention of inducing her, I believe.
Let us know how you get on. Are you still itching?

 

[Barhanita]

I had non-stress tests twice a week and they tested my blood twice a week. Also, I had a special permission to come in for reduced movement without a referral. (Diagnosed at 34 weeks, delivered at 37 weeks).

 

[MommyGrim]

Yea, I'm still itching but L&D gave me some medicine to help so it's no where near as bad Will update when I hear more! Thanks for the replies!

 

[pixie23]

I had to go in twice a week for fetal monitoring, a few weeks into monitoring they ended up finding that I had developed preeclampsia and had me go in for observation (to probably be induced), but my water ended up breaking shortly after arriving to the hospital. My twins arrived at 35+5.

 

[Jchihuahua]

I had my bloods done again yesterday (been monitored all the way through due to OC in my two previous pregnancies). My itching returned mildly 2 weeks ago (33 weeks) and my bloods came back normal last week. ALT was 16, so normal, but higher than it had been 4 weeks earlier. My itching has been HORRENDOUS this last week and my urine is so dark that my midwife described it as scarlet while on the phone to the hospital yesterday. The student in the room was shocked when I took my sample out of my bag! Anyway, got ALTS today and they are 85 now, so a huge increase after being 16 last week and more than double the highest level within the normal range. Hopefully getting bile acid results tomorrow and then they'll be able to start my meds, monitoring and plan for my induction.

 

[kelloggs]

I had my bloods done again yesterday (been monitored all the way through due to OC in my two previous pregnancies). My itching returned mildly 2 weeks ago (33 weeks) and my bloods came back normal last week. ALT was 16, so normal, but higher than it had been 4 weeks earlier. My itching has been HORRENDOUS this last week and my urine is so dark that my midwife described it as scarlet while on the phone to the hospital yesterday. The student in the room was shocked when I took my sample out of my bag! Anyway, got ALTS today and they are 85 now, so a huge increase after being 16 last week and more than double the highest level within the normal range. Hopefully getting bile acid results tomorrow and then they'll be able to start my meds, monitoring and plan for my induction.

At least you are close to 37 weeks! mine was found at 31 weeks and so have six weeks until induction (4 now) hope I get that far! with DD i had it later I think but pre e took over so was delivered at 36+1 - good luck! xxx

 

[Jchihuahua]

I had my bloods done again yesterday (been monitored all the way through due to OC in my two previous pregnancies). My itching returned mildly 2 weeks ago (33 weeks) and my bloods came back normal last week. ALT was 16, so normal, but higher than it had been 4 weeks earlier. My itching has been HORRENDOUS this last week and my urine is so dark that my midwife described it as scarlet while on the phone to the hospital yesterday. The student in the room was shocked when I took my sample out of my bag! Anyway, got ALTS today and they are 85 now, so a huge increase after being 16 last week and more than double the highest level within the normal range. Hopefully getting bile acid results tomorrow and then they'll be able to start my meds, monitoring and plan for my induction.

At least you are close to 37 weeks! mine was found at 31 weeks and so have six weeks until induction (4 now) hope I get that far! with DD i had it later I think but pre e took over so was delivered at 36+1 - good luck! xxx

Thanks . They don't seem to induce until 38 weeks here so I have 3 weeks to go but that seems like so, so far away having to cope with this itching! Fingers crossed the next few weeks are not too uncomfortable for both of us!

 

[craftymama]

So I just happened to mention on here that I have had itchy feet and ankles the last half of my pregnancy, someone mentioned OC and now I can't stop worrying about it. I came and read through these posts in more detail (I read the sticky months ago but nothing more than the first post..) and am officially panicking. I see my OB today at 4pm for my 36 weeks appointment and will be mentioning it now, but am feeling guilty for it having gone on this long and not thinking anything of it.. I just figured it's dry skin I guess, and DH lotions my feet a lot even though it doesn't seem to help. The itching is only on the tops of my toes-especially my big toe on each foot, and then along the inner side of my foot from toe to heel, then on my ankles(mostly my inner ankles). Somedays it's worse than others, and I guess I could say some nights it has worsened but not always. I have no other symptoms however... do most of you have the other symptoms along with the itching?

 

[Jchihuahua]

So I just happened to mention on here that I have had itchy feet and ankles the last half of my pregnancy, someone mentioned OC and now I can't stop worrying about it. I came and read through these posts in more detail (I read the sticky months ago but nothing more than the first post..) and am officially panicking. I see my OB today at 4pm for my 36 weeks appointment and will be mentioning it now, but am feeling guilty for it having gone on this long and not thinking anything of it.. I just figured it's dry skin I guess, and DH lotions my feet a lot even though it doesn't seem to help. The itching is only on the tops of my toes-especially my big toe on each foot, and then along the inner side of my foot from toe to heel, then on my ankles(mostly my inner ankles). Somedays it's worse than others, and I guess I could say some nights it has worsened but not always. I have no other symptoms however... do most of you have the other symptoms along with the itching?

My only symptoms are the horrid itching, worst at night, and very dark urine.

 

[MissMummyMoo]

Yes I had the dark urine too ^^^ x

 

[Dime Cuando]

I also just had the dark urine and the itching - just at night really....to the point where in the morning I questioned myself whether it was 'really that bad' because it just went away. That's why I left it for a few days until I was so tired due to being up for hours scratching that I realised it really wasn't 'my imagination'.

 

[Jchihuahua]

I've just had my OC confirmed (third pregnancy I've had it) . ALTS are now 98. They have gone from 16 2 weeks ago to 85 on Friday to 98 today and should be less than 40. My bile acides are 86 and should be less than 14. I've started on the urso and vit K and will be induced in 3 weeks.

 

[natty1985]

I've just had my OC confirmed (third pregnancy I've had it) . ALTS are now 98. They have gone from 16 2 weeks ago to 85 on Friday to 98 today and should be less than 40. My bile acides are 86 and should be less than 14. I've started on the urso and vit K and will be induced in 3 weeks.

How come they're inducing at 38 weeks ? Surely 37 with bile acids that high ?

 

[Jchihuahua]

I've just had my OC confirmed (third pregnancy I've had it) . ALTS are now 98. They have gone from 16 2 weeks ago to 85 on Friday to 98 today and should be less than 40. My bile acides are 86 and should be less than 14. I've started on the urso and vit K and will be induced in 3 weeks.

How come they're inducing at 38 weeks ? Surely 37 with bile acids that high ?

I asked that in my previous pegnancies and they just say that our trust doesn't induce before 38 weeks for OC. I am measuring 3 weeks bigger though so I am wondering if that might make any difference. I have a fetal assessment scan on Monday so I will ask then. i had to give 8 little bottle of blood today and it took 5 veins for them to get it all so my arms and hands are really sore. I have a liver scan on Wednesday as well.

 

[kelloggs]

Just had my scan today. alt down from 100's to 97 bile @ 26 was 31, then 15, then 21 so up and down. Am on 1000mg a day roll on 36 weeks so I can book my induction!

Will be thinking of you. Itching worse this pregnancy...humph!