Cholestasis -update

[rhiOrion]

I'm sure this has been addressed before, and if anyone has links to specific threads, feel free to post them. Mods- if this is better in health and healing you can move it. I just don't have the time or energy to think about those types of details right now.

Last week I had a stomach bug. Feeling better now. Urine was still dark, but today it's starting to lighten up as I have been drinking more. Stools are still pretty pale, but I THINK they're starting to go back to normal. But I have no idea if this was a result of the virus or not.

Fast forward to yesterday- the palms of my hands start itching. Last night the soles of my feet start itching. By 1 am I was itching all over and miserable. Today the itching is MUCH better, but still there is some generalized itching, plus the palms.

I know itching can be bad, especially that presentation of it. So I called the birth center this morning. They got me in and took blood.

The obvious fear is Cholestasis.

If this blood work comes back negative then we'll just go along our merry way and I'll take some benadryl and life will be good and puppies will rejoice and hopefully I'll go into labor before anything else goes wrong.

If the blood work comes back positive- they said they want to induce. The internet seems to agree.

They said they should have the bloodwork results by this afternoon. Everything I'd read said that the best tests for Cholestasis take at least a week or more. But they did say they were sending off for a "bile acid test." That's the reliable one, right? Maybe it's fast because they're affiliated with UNC and they're a big hospital (actually, I think they send to LabCorp- so I really don't know)? I have no idea.

Any thoughts, experiences, etc are welcome. About the effectiveness of the tests, the wisdom of induction, or any other things I need to be thinking about. Possibly losing my birth center birth is going to be devastating, but I want to at least go into this with knowledge.

Hopefully it'll be negative and we'll have the rejoicing puppies and I can move along.

TIA!

ETA: I'm 39 weeks today, in case you don't feel like doing the math!

[rhiOrion]

Well, I guess nobody has any experience with this. I must be a freak!

The puppies are sad.

It is Cholestasis.

So, if I haven't gone into labor on my own by early next week we're going to induce.

Going to try everything I can to get myself into labor before then, or at least have my body be very ready should we have to induce. Any suggestions for how to make an induction go smoothly would be welcome.

Please, no horror stories about how hard induction it- I've read them all, and they're just going to stress me out!!!

[triony]

Rhi.

[at_the_hip]

My thought would be to apply Evening Primrose Oil to the cervix...if you are really unfavorable perhaps you could ask them to do a balloon cathetar a day or two prior?

I hope all goes well for you! Yes, there are definitely a lot of 'horror stories' but there are also plenty of women who induce and are just fine. I would venture to guess that you can trust that your body knows baby needs to come soon and you might be more likely to make progress early on your own, perhaps?

[loveneverfails]

Rhi, I had an induction with my 2nd baby at 38 1/2 weeks, and it lasted all of 5 hours in labor. I did get an epidural, but it was because of the back injury that made us go for the induction in the first place, not because the induction itself was so bad.

[conshek]

I was diagnosed with cholestasis at 34 weeks. My itching on the palms and soles started about 3 days after I was put on meds for food poisoning. The tests that came back right away for me were the liver panel tests. They should elevated levels and my midwife/Dr. immediately had me go for more blood work and pick up URSO (the meds for this condition). It took 1 week for the bile salt acid test to come back elevated. It wasn't thru the roof but they are taking things seriously and inducing me at 37 weeks...April 9th. This is pregnancy #4 for me and first time with this condition. The meds really have helped with the itching and awful fatigue I was having, plus a lose of appetite. As I understand, as long as you are on meds, there's a lower risk to the baby but there's no guarantee. This is why most Dr's induce you by 37 weeks. I started taking EPO and will go for acupuncture next week to try and help things out.

Make sure you get on meds if you have this. Good Luck to you!!

[Katie T]

Hugs to you, I don't know anything about cholestasis, but wanted to maybe help ease your mind about the induction. I had one with my first baby and besides the pit had a wonderful drug free birth. They are out there, but horror stories are more exciting I think.

Good luck to you!

[rhiOrion]

Thanks everyone!

Conshek- I started the meds last night and they are amazing. I didn't feel like scratching my feet off during the night! And I do feel less tired today- I had never thought that maybe my absolute exhaustion was due to anything other than being 39 weeks pregnant. Of course, not waking up to scratch my feet off probably helped, too

[Romana]

Good luck to you - I hope your induction goes well. Even in the worst-case scenario (FTM, low Bishop's score, etc.) your chance of c-section is about 50%. In my opinion, when the induction is necessary that's still a darn good chance of a vaginal birth.

I hope things go smoothly for you and I'm sorry about the unexpected complications. I know I would be worried and stressed, but you're doing all the right things.

[rhiOrion]

Going in for my first NST in a few minutes, and membrane stripping. I hope it's not as painful as people make it out to be.

Had some mucous this morning. Possibly blood-tinged. I know it doesn't necessarily mean anything, but it's something new, at least.


Funny how my definition of TMI changes with pregnancy

[Sudonk]

I don't have anything to share with you about choleostasis, but I wanted to let you know that I am a childbirth educator in Durham and used the same birth center you are. I have known several women over the years who needed inductions for medical reasons while going to the WBWC, and they will do a GREAT job making it as gentle and safe for you as possible. I know induction isn't your first choice, but remember that it isn't their first choice for you either, and they will be doing all they can to get you and your baby the safest birth possible. Talk to them about ways to take it slowly and gently, to avoid distress for your baby and exhaustion for you, and I think you'll be very happy with their approach.

Good luck!