obstetric cholestisis

My last baby son was stillborn at 24 weeks.  Throughout the entire pregnancy I suffered from severe itching on my legs.  I'm now 15 weeks pregnant again.  I've just returned from the hospital after hearing the results of my son's postmortem.  The results said that he was not receiving enough blood from my placenta.  I am now experiencing the same itching in this pregnancy and have been tested for obstetric cholestitis.  I am wondering if a lack of blood supply through the placenta can be a result of oc?  I was never tested for it in my last pregnancy.  Any input would be greatly received.  Thanks, Mary

[Christie2004]

I'm very sorry to hear of your loss.

There is no connection between the two conditions.  However, you are at high risk obstetrically, simply because of your history of previous stillbirth.  Your doctors need to monitor your pregnancy very carefully, with serial ultrasounds, possibly doppler flow studies of the placenta, and good basic prenatal care.

[trixie charles]

I would strongly disagree that these two things are not related.  Everything that I have found states exactly the opposite, if you have this condition the liver is not functioning properly and there is a build up of chemicals in the body that affect the baby on every level.  Check out the website I found for her on this, I am positive you will agree with me.

[trixie charles]

Sorry to hear about your son, I have had several miscarriages and the last I had a pathology report done on.  An excellent website you may want to visit about the itching is: www.itchymoms.com.  I will warn you that some of the stuff they discuss is scary but you may find some relief there also.  Best of Luck to you this time around.

[Christie2004]

You know, I didnt read her post well--you are quite right.  I thought she was just talking about a common problem in pregnancy which is an immune mediated problem that can cause a rash and severe itching.  That'll teach me to slow down and use my "back" button!

If she had documented, properly diagnosed cholestasis of pregnancy, there is a 10-15% chance of stillbirth and a 60-70% chance of a recurrance of the cholestasis during this pregnancy.  
She needs to have the careful ob prenatal care I mentioned, and serial ultrasounds to check for fetal well being.  She may also need to be induced early this time.  Simply by virtue of the previous stillbirth, though--she is technically high risk and will (hopefully) be given extra thorough care.

See-I'm not perfect!

[Stacie30]

it's ok christie- i still love yah!!!

I'm not going to worry about my itchy legs though... I'm not. :o) really. ok- maybe I'll worry a little bit. I'm such a hypocondriac!!! :o)

[Marylalor]

Thank you very much ladies.  I will be very monitored this pregnancy because of Dennis' postmortem results.  I've already had 2 scans, my next one is in 4 weeks, then I'll be getting one every 2 weeks after that.  All of which is very reassuring.  I'll find out my results in 10 days.  I am so impatient.  I started to research as soon as I came home.  Fingers crossed that my liver is fine.  Thanks again! Mary

[kyza]

good luck with everything, i have been through a loss of my beautiful Angel nine years ago,born on her due date and i am amazed at how many people have never heard of cholestisis just like i hadnt even though i realised the symptoms that i had and consulted my doctor quiet a few times with him just brushing it off and not really listening. I first heard of it a couple of months after my loss by reading a small article and OMG thats what i had, i just wish i had read it sooner so i couldve been tested.

[kyza]

    Be positive my fingers are crossed for you and my heart is with u and your family and im sure you would know if things were not right in your own mind. I also think i may be pregnant just, and i will be having tests done because i not going through that heartache again when it shouldnt have happened and i should  have been monitored once my concerns were spoken about not brushed off because the Dr cant keep up with his patients and needed to rush through.

[rjjjts]

I TOO SUFFER FROM ICP OR OC WHICH I FOUND OUT AFTER MY SECOND CHILD AND WHEN I WAS HAVING MY THIRD CHILD I WAS TRYING TO EDUCATE THE DOCTOR WHO KEPT BRUSHING IT OFF AND SADLY I LOST MY LITTLE GIRL BECAUSE OF AND UNEDUCATED DOCTOR SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD A LITTLE BOY AND I WENT STRAIGHT TO A SPECIALIST AND I WAS CONSTANTLY MONITORED EACH DAY I HAD TOP CARE AND SAFELY DELIVERED AT 35 WEEKS.PLEASE GO WITH YOUR GUT AND TELL YOUR DOCTOR THAT YOU WANT A LIVER TEST IMMEDIATELY. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF WRITING A BOOK ABOUT THIS CONDITION AS I COULD NOT FIND ONE IN ANY PREGNANCY SHOP / BOOKS. WE NEED TO SPREAD THE WORD TO SAVE OUR PRECIOUS BABIES.I AM DOING PERSONAL STORIES IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO BE INVOLVED WITH MY BOOK BUT YOU'D HAVE TO BE ON IT STRAIGHT AWAY AS IM SOON AT MY FINAL DRAUGHT. LOVE TO HEAR FROM JENNY MCDONALD QUEENSLAND

[Ravimohan]

There is more information on Obstetric Cholestasis from Royal college of Obstetrician & Gynaecologist here.

http://www.rcog.org.uk/womens-health/clinical-guidance/obstetric-cholestasis-itching-liver-disorder-information-you