Obstetric cholestasis

Sorry to post this in general when it is really a preggy matter, but i am now super paranoid and hoping more people will see it here and i get a quick response!

I have had really bad itching on my legs and feet, especially at night, for the past week (so bad i have big red scratches up and down my legs from where i have been itching). Now DH just got home took one look at me and said i looked 'yellow'.

Like a loon, i have just turned to Dr Google and have checked off all the symptoms for OC ie itching, yellow skin, dark urine and light poo. the websites i have seen seem to suggest this could be very serious and lead to still birth - i intend to contact my MW tomorrow morning to see if i can get bloods done, but am i just being over paranoid??

could these symptoms be anything else? trying not to freak out now!

Ditto giving your mw a call tonight.

Hi Susie

I developed Obstetric Choleastasis at the end of my pregnancy last year. Your symptoms do sound like what I had - I also had itchy palms a couple of times, although I hope it is not what you have as it can play with your mind a bit.

The higher risk of stillbirth apparently comes in after 37 weeks although my midwife said it was 'possibly' a risk not 'definitely' (doesn't really help though when you are the one sitting there thinking things could go wrong for your babe)

I had the bile salts blood test a couple of times - it does take a while to be processed usually (as in a week or so) so I'd get onto it really quickly.

I went into hospital every 3 or so days for monitoring from about 36 weeks (also had an elevated blood pressure a couple of times - probably from the worries!)and then they decided to induce my boy at 37.5 weeks. It meant DS had to be monitored throughout the birth, but there were no issues and it was a straightforward, reasonably quick labour.

I took some medication (can't remember the name sorry) for about 5 days before he came - it is something they need to get special approval for, plus they gave me some phenergan for the itching. I actually chose not to take the phenergan as I read it wasn't necessarily approved for pregnancy and with a miscarriage behind me I was extra careful on all that kind of stuff. My itching came and went and I mainly used wet faceclothes and handcream to help ease it.

Fingers crossed this is not what you have, but definitely get onto testing a.s.a.p. In my experience it is taken very seriously.

(hope none of this adds to your concerns, I just wanted to give you an idea of what it was like for me - and that it wasn't that terrible

Good luck with the test Susie and hope the results come back quick and are all good

Well I've got it along with some pre eclampsia so here I am in hospital! Going to keep me in for a few days at least and if no better be induced this week :(.
Glad I made the call now though!

Well at least you are in the best place an I hope that they manage to keep bubs in there a lil longer. Good luck and keep us posted.

We'll be thinking of you Susiec. Keep us informed!
Great that you have internet access to give you something to do

All the best!

Ive said good luck on the may babies forum Susie but wanted to say good luck again and hope everything goes well