Your Experiences

I was diagnosed with oc when I was 24 weeks pregnant with my second child, it was while I was being diagnosed that I was told that I may have had the condition with my first child but so little was known that it was put down to general pregnancy itching, I guess I was lucky in that as soon as I was diagnosed my consultant prescribed urso and started to have me monitored every week I was also sent for growth scans to check baby was growing properly, unfortunately things took a turn for the worst at 35 weeks and both my bile acids and my alt's shot up and I found myself confined to hospital for 2 weeks with constant monitoring (morning and evening) and the possability that baby would be delivered at 36 weeks! Lucky for me Arianna was born a week later perfect if a little jaundced, im now 30 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child but this time although the oc has returned the consultant im now under is more relaxed about everything and doesnt seem as concerned about my bile acids which are creeping higher each week. Roll on the 30th of january when the c section has been booked.

Amanda

I developed Cholestatis during my first pregnancy at 28 weeks, I had to visit the hospital every 3 - 4 days for various monitoring, and was given a c-section at 36 weeks. Then my sister got pregnant and she had the same syptoms so I got her to get it checked out, she also had it and had to be induced at 38 weeks, this was her second pregnancy and she had itching for her first but the doctor's said it was scabies, when 1st child was born at 40 weeks the cord was wrapped around baby's neck and she stopped breathing for a while, we wonder now if she had OC during her first pregnancy but as this was 9 years ago I dont think nothing was know about it then. I had my second child last year and I got Cholestatsis again but this time I developed it at 19 weeks and was induced at 37 weeks, my systoms were severe itching, extreme tiredness and pain in my right side and back. I must say that the midvives and consultants at Good Hope Hospital were brilliant at monitoring me during both pregnancie's. I would like to have another baby in the future but I worry about the damage to my liver and wheter I could do anything to prevent getting it again as I would love to have a normal birth and not a c-section again.

Kerry

I was 36 weeks pregnant with my second child when I was diagnosed with o.c. After having high liver function but normal bile acid for about 2 weeks my bile acid suddenly shot up. I was given ursodeoxycholic acid for a week then induced at 37 weeks. I had a healthy baby boy weighing 7lb 4 oz. Now I'm 35 weeks and 5 days with my 3rd and the itching has been unbearable for about 4 weeks. I've had about 4 normal results but a few days ago my liver function come back high but my bile was normal. I've been for more tests today and the doctors started me on the ursodeoxycholic acid again I have to go for more blood tests in two days and there going to take it from there.

Emma

I am currently 36 +3 days pregnant and have suffered intense itching since 32 weeks. I told my midwife who said it was completely normal in pregnancy. At 34 I visited my GP who again told me it was normal. very frustrated I visited my GP at 35 weeks who told me I had scabies! I knew this wasn't the case and after searching the internet I stumbled upon information on cholestasis. I knew immediately that this is what I was suffering from and went to the hospital, the doctor there seemed to agree with my self diognosis and took the tests. I am currently awaiting the results but am going to insist on being induced this week whatever the outcome as I have read many reports of tests repeatadly being negative before a positve result comes back. I don't have the time for countless tests and don't want to run the risk of going to 40 weeks.

Sarah

I had cholestasis in my 1st pregnancy which was mis-diagnosed several times with diagnosis os scabies and many other things!!!, it was a very distressing time for myself anf my family and from my pint of view very badly handled as by the time anyone took me seriously i had gone into labour at 42 weeks pregnant, luckily my son was born healthy and the itching stopped immediately, i am currently 29 weeks pregnant and guess what?! the itching is back fortunately i am being taken seriously this time and am to be induced at 37 weeks at the latest. Anyone who develops this itching should be persistant with there consultant until action is taken as all information available on oc tells how serious and fatal this can be, i feel extremely lucky that thibgs turned out ok for me, though i'm sure that this isn't the case for everyone. My advice is....don't take no for an answer and trust your instincts, you know your body better than any doctor or midwife and if your concerned don't be ignored!.

Aimee

I've been really itchy since being 34wks pregnant, having read about OC I told my midwife about the itching, she told me to leave it till the next time I see her because it might be nothing. Last week I mentioned it again considering I've scratched half the skin off my feet, and tried everything in my power to stop it, she did a blood test, and I got the results today, turns out I do have OC and I have to go to the midwife tomorrow, and have a scan. I'm 37weeks +2 tomorrow. Reading everything that I've read about Oc, im scared, and reading everyones posts on here aswell, everyone found out so much earlier than me, now I'm worried that it could be too late. So I'm just keeping my fingers crossed and my feet cold, until tomorrow!!

Jema

Thirty eight years ago I gave birth to a stillborn son. (I had a normal pregnancy with my previous son). Although the condition was not known at the time I had the classic symptoms of OC. The death of my baby haunts me to this day. The following year I developed the symptoms again while pregnant with my daughter. Thankfully my doctor and midwife were not prepared to take any risks and I was induced 11 days before my due date. No complications, apart from the fact that she briefly turned blue and stopped breathing twice, a few days after her birth. I decided then that I would not risk another pregnancy.

OC does not appear to be widely recognised by the medical profession. My daughter's midwife was not aware. Fortunately because of my history my daughter (who is a doctor herself) insisted that she was tested.

Pat

I am now three months into my third pregnancy I have got two boys 3 and 2. I had cholestasis with both pregnancy's and I am really worried that it is going to be worse this time I had a c- section with my second as the induction did not go to plan. I really would like to have a natural birth but I don't see how the doctors can induce a pregnancy 5 weeks early as the baby is surely not ready to be born but at least I know what may happen this time round.

Laura

I was diagnosed with oc at 37 weeks and had my baby induced she was delivered to us healthy just 16 days early. I just wanted to say you should watch out for any kind of itching on the soles of your feet... not just extreme or persistant itching! My itching was quite mild, only on the soles of my feet and disappeared completely during the day so I ignored it completely for over a week! when I finally asked about it, my midwife took blood and the results showed my liver functions were off the scale!! So don't put of seeing your midwife if you have any kind of itching!! Thank God it all ended well!!

Sarah

I am 32 weeks and I have been suffering with itching quite badly over the last few days, I read it up in one of my books and read that servere itching could be OC, iIimmediatly panicked and called my antinatal unit they then asked me to go straight away to have some blood tests done,my liver function was higher than normal (whatever that means) and I will not recieve my bile results for a week or two, I had some more bloods taken for tests and I am booked in to see the consultant a week today and have an appointment for a liver scan. My baby was monitored for half an hour and he was said to be fine moving round and his heart beat was well. I just feel so frightened that between now and the tets results comming back if anything will happen. I feel so unwell today and don't know weather it's because I have read all these things about OC. I am just preying that he will be well.

Joanne

how long do I have to wait to be properly diagnosed with oc? I've been having tests for 2weeks! the itchings driving me mad, and the longer it goes on the more worried I get!

Kes

My son was born in april 2002 a little earlier than planned due to cholestasis! from around 30 weeks I started to itch. Mainly this was refined to the upper and lower leg region, but by 34 weeks I was ready to jump from the nearest window! I have never experianced anything like it and certainly would not wish to again! I found that especially during the night i seemed worse effected. I would wake myself as I had litteraly drawn blood to my legs and arms from constant scratching. The only thing that seemed to work for me was to get up and run a cool bath and sit in it until the itch subsided!

I am thankful to say that 15 hrs later following unsuccessful attemps at inducement my son was born by emergency c section. healthy and weighing in at 7lb 7oz the most wonderful experience of it all was almost immediately I stopped itching!! I would say to any mother to be, "trust your own feelings about your body" if there is something not quite right be persistant! should I not have been my son may no be with us now!

Tracy

I was diagnosed with oc at 32 weeks. I woke one saturday morning with itchy hands and feet. It wasn't too severe but I had read that it could be a sign of this condition. I didn't know if I was being over the top, but decided to phone the maternity unit and ask for advice, feeling that it was better to be safe than sorry after reading that stillbirth could occur if the condition was left untreated. The midwife I spoke to was lovely and advised me to go in for a blood test. I did so and they said they'd phone if anything showed up. A few hours later we got a phone call to ask us to go back in. We did so, and the consultant was asked to go in too, it being a weekend and just a small hospital there was not one on duty. After seeing the consultant and being told she thought I had oc I was transfered to a bigger hospital by ambulance.I was told that the baby might have to be delivered there and then but after monitoring myself and the baby for a few hours I was moved onto the ward. I was in hospital for a week and they checked my bloods every day and monitored the baby usually 2 or 3 times a day, I also had steroid injections to strengthen the baby's lungs incase of early delivery.Once they were happy things were under control I was allowed home with medication, and we had to go in twice a week for blood tests and monitoring of the baby. I found this website a few weeks later after trying to find as much as I could about the condition. I was so worried and anxious about it and reading about other peoples experiences really helped me to realise that it could all turn out well and that I wasn't the only one with it. I was taken in for induction at 38 weeks, however the baby showed signs of distress early in labour, so I was taken for an emergency c. section. We now have a beautiful 7 week old baby girl called Catherine and can't believe how lucky we are! We were so lucky that the condition was picked up quickly and I feel I couldn't have been better looked after until the day she was born. I hope our story gives other people hope and encouragement and I urge anyone who is unsure about their symptoms to check it out and push for tests if necessary.Thankyou to all the people who have told their stories as it was a big help to us.

Michelle

I started with really itchy legs at around 24 weeks of pregnancy. I went to my gp as it was keeping me up at night. I was given E45 cream and told it was normal to have itchiness in pregnancy. A week later I was diagnosed with a chest infection and given a course of antibiotics and steroids. The itchiness cleared up for a while but started again a week after completing the course of steroids. I had an appointment with a consultant at the hospital about my asthma and mentioned my legs and hands - which are now itchy too. She has done blood tests and I am awaiting the results. I am now 27 weeks pregnant and it is my 2nd baby. My1st was induced at 38 weeks due to other complications and was very jaundiced when born - I wonder now whether this too was cholestasis? I am worried about leavingit to 38 weeks and would feel much happier if I was induced at 35 or 36 weeks - as long as baby is healthy etc. I'll post again to keep you informed!

Josie

I had severe itching with my first child(2002) and to be honest nobody knew much about cholastasis at the time.I had my bloods taken every week from 27 weeks and was induced at 36 wks and gave birth to a healthy boy weighing 6lb 3 oz.I'm currently 23 weeks pregnant again and at 19 weeks began itching again and have been diagnosed with the condition again.I have been told this baby will be born early agin but no one has quite said when as it will be based on my blood test results and levels etc.I really wasn't worried about it the first time round as i was made to believe it wasn't serious unless i went full term,this time however i know a lot more as i've looked into it this time and to be honest i'm very worried this time round as i know now just how serious this condition can be.

Dawn

In my 2nd pregnancy I started itching at about 25 weeks pg and it gradually got worse and worse to the point I was covered in scratches and getting at most 2 hours sleep a day. I had had itching in my 1st pregnancy, although less severe, and it had been dismissed so it was a while before I sought help. Anyway when it was finally diagnosed at 32 weeks my daughter was distressed with abnormal heart tracings and then my waters broke. In addition my LFTs were getting worse and so they decided to deliver my daughter at 33 weeks. She was in scbu for 3 and 1/2 weeks which was hard but, although small still, she is basically fine now. I am sure in retrospect I had it with my first pregnancy which went to 38+5. I realise now the high risk she was at and, although I am so grateful nothing happened to her (although she was small) I do feel that my midwife was less than on the ball. It is not that uncommon and, in view of the potential seriousness of it, it does seem that a lot of women have their symptoms dismissed.

Lisa

hi all I am 18 weeks pregnant with my fourth child and have suffered from cholestasis on all pregnancies resulting in the babies being born at 34,37 and 34 weeks. on my last pregnancy i was hospitalised at 32 weeks aithough all my children are healthy i am still worried about this pregnancy my gp wasn't too keen to hear i was expecting again but all i can do is pray that everything will work out!!! i sympathise with all as it is a very worrying time for everyone good luck to you all

Mandy

I developed Obstetric Cholestasis at 33wks into my second pregnancy. For 4 weeks I was telling my GP that I was suffering from intolerable itching just too be told 'it's common'. Even when he spotted my extremely dark urine he just told me to 'drink more'. In the end my mother went onto the web and discovered this condition and came with me to the GP and literally made him do a liver function test. That probably saved my sons life.

I hope it all goes well for all of us!

Amanda

I had cholestasis with my first pregnancy. It was diagnosed at 33 weeks and i was put on medication and was induced at 36.5 weeks. I am now 31 weeks pregnant with baby number 2 and the itching has started, i have already had one blood test done which was negative but i have pushed for another blood test 2weeks later as the itching has got worse. There isn't much information about the condition and not much research into the effects of the ursodeoxycholic acid on the baby. I think this is an area that needs to be investigated more!

Rachel Hibberd

I was diagnosed with OC in the 24th week of my first pregnancy in February 2005. It started with itchy hands and feet. My Mum, who is a trained materinty nurse, had never heard of any such symptom and told me to have a look in my pregnancy book. In doing so I found out that itchy hands and feet can be caused by an over-run of hormones, but may also be Cholestasis of Pregnancy. This is when I read my baby may be still born. I got straight onto the birthing clinic and booked staight in. The nurse tried to keep me calm by telling me Cholestasis didn't usually appear until late in the pregnancy, around 32 to 34 weeks and I shouldn't worry. I was sent straight in to have a LFT. Two days later got a call to advise me I had been booked in to the specialist on the following day. Prof. Newnham advised me of my test results and I was told of the complications with going full term. I was told there and then the pregnancy would not go full term, I would continue to itch, which would get worse, that I would have to have twice weekly monitoring which would begin immediately and told that if I didn't feel my baby move at least 10 times in the day I was to get straight up to emergency. In my 28th week I was then advised I had Gestational Diabetes and would have to see a dietitian. I put myself on a strick diet and cut out all sugar and preservatives. My LFT's then showed lower levels each time I was re-tested. Prof Newnham was surprised by these results, but interested to know that through diet your levels can be reduced. I also lost 1 kilo a week until my baby was born, then 10 kilos in the first week of his life. I was thinner after the birth than I had been since high school. The itching I experienced didn't get unbareable until the last few weeks of the pregnancy, which is when I started taking Ursofolk, which was brilliant!! I went in for my last check up in the 37th week and was booked in to have a Ceaser. My dear little Angus came on his own on the Friday before my booking. My natural labour went from 8am to 4.03pm when Angus emerged. He was under a little stress, but otherwise perfect. Not a mark on him, no jaundice, perfect. After all the things I have read I feel greatful nothing went wrong and was even thinking I may never have any more children, because of the risks. Just hours after the birth I was asked how my itching was, I had no itching!!

Kelli

I was diagnosed with Obstetric Cholestatis when i ws 30 wks pregnant. I was prescribed Urso Acid, Vitamin K and Piriton. I was having checks at the hospital 3 times a week and a scan weekly. I was scheduled to be in induced at 37wks but my LFT's rose again so i was induced at 36 wks. I had a healthy 7lb 4 1/2 ozs baby boy who is now nearly two.

Margaret

My second beautiful son, Jordan, will be celebrating his 4th birthday next month.

If you are unsure, ask and don't be made to feel you are being a nusiance - it is your child and you have this right!

Nicola

I started itching at 29 weeks all over my body, it was unbearable. I told my midwife and she said it was just a part of being pregnant.

I have also brought a lot of pregnancy mags but am suprised not to see even one article in any of them about cholestasis. it would have made me much more aware of it. I have to also go to hospital every 48 hours to have bloods checked. I am now 32 weeks pregnant and being induced at 36 weeks.

S

With my first and second pregnancy I knew something was wrong but I was told the itching was all in my head.They knew something was wrong with my second child so i had to have scans and blood tests every week but it was not until five days before i had my second child that somebody gave me a name for wot i had and also told me i had to have my baby as soon as possible else it might not have survived.I have been told it is very rare to get cholestasis twice but because i have had it twice if i decide to have another child i have a 99% chance of getting it again. Thankfully me and both my children are fine.

Tiger

At 34 weeks pregnant I went to my consultant with severe itching all over and they took bloods straight away and called me into hospital the next day as bloods was abnormal they then took bloods again the following day and bile salts was even higher! They kept me in hospital for 4 days I was allowed home for weekend and when I had blood test done again the bile salts are still really high but have gone down a little bit so they let me home I have to go back for more bloods in a couple of days but they haven't said if I have it or not or what is happening. My bile salts on first day where 325 2nd day 420 then few days later 395. They have said I'm not allowed to go beyond 37 weeks of pregnancy but when I had scan I was coming up at 37 weeks and 4 days so really concerned if my baby is in risk or not. Any advice about other people's bile salts with OC etc..? Need info...

Serena

I had chloestasis from 32 weeks the midwife thought at first it was a pregancy rash took bloods and then descovered it was chloestasis i was put on medication to help but the itch just got worse, i couldnt sleep the rash was all over my body, i was taken into hospital at 38 weeks because the rash was getting worse and medication wasnt working. I had my baby 4 weeks ago now she is healthy and weighed 6lb 3oz. i still have the rash it is clearing but i think i maybe left with marks on my legs. I just hope the rash gose away soon.

Lorna

I had cholestasis with my first pregnancy. I had severe itching on hands and feet and felt like rubbing them on the welcome mat! I was showering at 2/3 in the morning to try and cool down. I went to the hospital (where the m/w appointments were) and was told that I had an allergy and given antihistamines. I didn't take them as I wasn't sure about being pregnant and taking them. I saw an article in Prima Baby then went to the hospital and demanded a blood test (Liver Function Test, LFT), they said it was just above the line but I was ok. The next week I went back for the usual check ups and the consultant said that it wasn't right and that I should be induced that week! On tuesday i saw him, on thursday I was induced. I had my son by C-section on the Friday. I dread to think what could have happened as my mum has told me that my nan's sister had 2 stillbirths and I know this thing is hereditary. I had my gall bladder out Sept 04 and i'm nearly 5 months pregnant, my current m/w (completely different area!) appreciates the condition and says that it might not happen now I've had my gallbladder out, but there is an 60-80% chance of it happening again! At least this m/w knows what she's talking about! I'm concerned now though because I've had really bad headaches and slight nose bleeds and have itchy legs (my shins)

Kelly

I was 34 weeks pregnant and had been ill for quite alot of my pregnancy, very tired and every time I would eat I would experience difficulty breathing and extreme pain in my side and back and would have severe vommiting and fever for a few hours after most meals I was worried so I asked my midwife many times but she just said it was normal and so did everyone else but I new something wasnt right I did'nt see how just being pregnant could make me feel the way I did then one day I woke up with very itchy feet... infact its indescribable how itchy they were and it quickly spread to my hands and then all over my body I developed a rash and then started not sleeping all through the night I would have cold showers and it seemed to help but I was litteraly in the shower all night in and out in and out I would wake up with my back and feet bleeding so bad because I had cut through my skin while I was scratching so at my 36 week check up I told my doctor he said very little but ordered some tests and sent me straight to the hospital to monitor the baby I had no idea what was going on no one spoke to me about it the next day I got a call telling me to bring my hospital bag and come in straight away as I would most likly be given a cesarian well I was stuffed around for 3-4 days i was booked in for cesarians and then they would continue to bring me on one doctor was worried and the other not so worried so after alot of pain and trying to make me dilate (they did this by threading balloons through my cervix and then inflating them with water VERY PAINFUL)so finally they broke my waters when I was only just past 1cm dilated wich was very painful and 10 hours later I had my baby boy.. during labour my liver tests were very bad they thought my liver could fail and were very close to giving me an emergency cesarean because my sons movements stopped but soon after he was born with 4 easy pushes ...I know every one of pain was worth it for my son but unless someone could guarantee me I wouldnt get this again I would'nt have another baby.. not worth my or my babys health.. so please hound your doctor I wish I had of done it more because after the birth turns out all the pain I was having was from severe gallbladder disease and I had an operation to remove it.. I still get the itching even though I'm not pregnant and have problems with my liver but my beautiful boy hunter is worth every bit of it.

Anon