Aa
I want to go to the Hospital.
Ladies,
I’m not sure what to do. I’ve been desperately itching for the last 17-20 days. I am almost 37 weeks pregnant. My toes, fingers, arms, face, back, legs…everything itches to the point where I can barely sleep. It seems to get worse at night. The doctor sent me out for blood tests to check my liver but I was only able to go to the lab today and they were closed. I called the doctor’s office. The on call OB was telling me I could have Intrahepatic Cholestasis, or obstetric cholestasis which is basically caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy. Reading about this illness, it says it can be fatal for the baby. Now, about the call, the connection was lost. I called her back and left her a message. I called her again and left her another message. She hasn’t called me back and she never answered my questions…….the connection was dropped.
Should I go to the ER to get my blood drawn so I can finally get a diagnosis? Does anyone know about this condition? Is it true it causes stillborn if it isn’t treated? How bad, if at all, is this illness? Should I go to the hospital?
I’m not sure what to do. I’ve been desperately itching for the last 17-20 days. I am almost 37 weeks pregnant. My toes, fingers, arms, face, back, legs…everything itches to the point where I can barely sleep. It seems to get worse at night. The doctor sent me out for blood tests to check my liver but I was only able to go to the lab today and they were closed. I called the doctor’s office. The on call OB was telling me I could have Intrahepatic Cholestasis, or obstetric cholestasis which is basically caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy. Reading about this illness, it says it can be fatal for the baby. Now, about the call, the connection was lost. I called her back and left her a message. I called her again and left her another message. She hasn’t called me back and she never answered my questions…….the connection was dropped.
Should I go to the ER to get my blood drawn so I can finally get a diagnosis? Does anyone know about this condition? Is it true it causes stillborn if it isn’t treated? How bad, if at all, is this illness? Should I go to the hospital?
OMG, PK...I didn't know about any of this but so glad to hear it was just an allergic reaction. I better start paying closer attention...I could have missed the whole "Birth Saga of Noah." You will definitely have to have your laptop on hand in "Delivery" lol ;)
Hmm..I'm not sure. They did a hepatic panel test. I'm not sure if that included the bile acids? But, I have very good news. I'm not itchy anymore. I stopped taking my prenatals. I haven't taken them today and am now comfortable and feeling a whole lot better...not itchy at all. So, I will talk to my OB on Wednesday to get different vitamins.
I'm glad I went to the hospital. I thought I was just having hormonal issues. Then the OB told me about that liver disease; but it turns out I was being allergic to my prenatal vitamins so it's good I got the diagnosis at the hospital.
I'm glad I went to the hospital. I thought I was just having hormonal issues. Then the OB told me about that liver disease; but it turns out I was being allergic to my prenatal vitamins so it's good I got the diagnosis at the hospital.
Glad to hear you and baby are okay! Just curious, did they check your bile acids by chance? The results of those tests can take a few days.
Wow, what a scare! Glad to hear you and Noah are all good! Sorry you are so itchy! Hopefully you can get some relief soon!
Thanks for the update!
Thanks for the update!
Thank you ladies, so so much. I appreciate the support I am always given.
Well yes, I went to the hospital and they checked my liver and everything was normal. That's when I finally saw the light because I knew my baby would be OK.
I am still very itchy. I will talk to my OB about this at my next visit if I find out the new vitamins are doing this. I haven't changed anything else so my guess is the vitamins.
They told me to take Benadryl every day now. I have just spent 18 hours sleeping lol. Good! I need to rest any ways. They said not to bathe in hot water. Only cool water for me now, and to buy baby soap. I have some baby soap I got at my baby shower. I don't think Noah will mind if I use just a bit lol.
Thank you all. I don't ever want to be this scared! Ugh..
Well yes, I went to the hospital and they checked my liver and everything was normal. That's when I finally saw the light because I knew my baby would be OK.
I am still very itchy. I will talk to my OB about this at my next visit if I find out the new vitamins are doing this. I haven't changed anything else so my guess is the vitamins.
They told me to take Benadryl every day now. I have just spent 18 hours sleeping lol. Good! I need to rest any ways. They said not to bathe in hot water. Only cool water for me now, and to buy baby soap. I have some baby soap I got at my baby shower. I don't think Noah will mind if I use just a bit lol.
Thank you all. I don't ever want to be this scared! Ugh..
phew thank heavens she went in and found out though....and thank you for updating I'm so relieved to hear that she and baby beanie will be fine!!
Great news! PK's liver is fine. She has an allergic reaction to something. Her guess is the vitamins that she recently switched because her old ones were making her nauseous. She feels much better, emotionally. She's on her way home now :) She was told to take Benadryl. She's going to stop taking those particular vitamins to see if the symptoms subside. None of her organs are being affected. She's very tired though so she's going to go to bed when she gets home. She wants to thank everyone for their prayers and will be online tomorrow to fill you in with the rest of the details.
Thanks, everyone!
Thanks, everyone!
Thanks for updating us. I left her a note on her profile saying that I thought maybe she should go in, glad she did. She is 37 weeks now so if thats what she has, at least she is safe to deliver. She has had an awful pregnancy, hope everything goes well!
thanks for updating us! let her know we're all thinking of her and hoping she's okay!!
Hi, everyone! PK is still in the hospital. She had tests done, including blood tests, which she is still waiting for. Let's pray everything comes out ok. I'll update her post when I hear results...
Thanks!
April, *HUGS*, honey :)
Thanks!
April, *HUGS*, honey :)
Oh little baby momma I just saw this too................I am praying so hard for you. Please tell us that you and baby Noah are ok. gosh girl you've had a hard time of this pregnancy, I feel so bad for you little one...I too will be watching for an update. hugs and prayers♥
Oh PK, I just saw this! I will be praying for you! I'll keep checking back to see how you and baby Noah are doing. You're in my thoughts and prayers!
I had this as well, we ended up being induced early, they try to never take the pregnancy full term because it is too risky for the baby. Try not to get hot, it makes it worse. To me it sounds exactly like what i had, worse at night! I was monitored every 2nd day until i was induced. Go in they will prob do the NST and blood test, they were always quick to get my results back to me, its better to be safe. Good luck please keep us posted
best of luck to you...hopefully its nothing major but you will feel relieved once you are back home updating us that you and baby are ok :)
My sister in law had this when she was preg the dr said she would be fine and it would go away after delivery and it did.... Have you tried calmine lotion?
Glad to hear you are going in, you need to go in now. I'm a labor and delivery nurse and recently had a pt with cholestasis, her only symptom was extreme itching. It is dangerous for the baby. Good luck!!
Jesus Christ! I'd better go to the hospital then. I'm going right now!
Thank you ladies.
Yes Heather I will let you know as soon as I can!
Oh, and this on call OB never called me back. My next visit is Wednesday. I am definitely letting my doctor know about this. This, to me, shows lack of care and respect that she never even called back after I called her and left her messages after the call dropped. My OB will know about this for sure.
WISH ME LUCK!
Thank you ladies.
Yes Heather I will let you know as soon as I can!
Oh, and this on call OB never called me back. My next visit is Wednesday. I am definitely letting my doctor know about this. This, to me, shows lack of care and respect that she never even called back after I called her and left her messages after the call dropped. My OB will know about this for sure.
WISH ME LUCK!
I had it 6 yrs ago, and unfortunately have it again with this pregnancy. It can be fatal to the baby, but it is rare. Like I said I had it 6 years ago with my second pregnancy, I carried my baby to term and delivered a healthy baby boy. It can also cause bleeding issues during delivery, which is why some doctors will induce if the condition is present. I was given the option to induce with both pregnancies, and I did not take the offer. I did nearly bleed to death with my second pregnancy, but they were able to stop the bleeding after 2 rounds of blood and 236 internal stitches. I again did not take the offer to be induced this time around either. As long as you can feel your baby moving like normal, there is no need to panic.
OB cholestasis doesn't really have a cure, except for delivery. I was told to take benedryl and use an anti itch cream...which didn't work.
It does sound to me like you do have cholestasis. You could go to the ER, have your blood drawn, and even if they do diagnose you with it, they will send you home with orders of taking or using an antihistamine. Try to keep your itchy areas cool, dry and wear as little clothing as you can around the area's. Heat, clothing, and body soaps can cause it to be worse. Use baby soap, no lotion, try not to do the dishes if you can. At bedtime try not to sleep under the blankets, that can agitate it as well.
Hopefully it's not the cause for the itching, good luck, and hang in there. If you are that concerned....there should be no issues heading to the ER or even L&D!
OB cholestasis doesn't really have a cure, except for delivery. I was told to take benedryl and use an anti itch cream...which didn't work.
It does sound to me like you do have cholestasis. You could go to the ER, have your blood drawn, and even if they do diagnose you with it, they will send you home with orders of taking or using an antihistamine. Try to keep your itchy areas cool, dry and wear as little clothing as you can around the area's. Heat, clothing, and body soaps can cause it to be worse. Use baby soap, no lotion, try not to do the dishes if you can. At bedtime try not to sleep under the blankets, that can agitate it as well.
Hopefully it's not the cause for the itching, good luck, and hang in there. If you are that concerned....there should be no issues heading to the ER or even L&D!
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Pregnancy Community
Get information and tips on how to help you choose the right place to deliver your baby.
Get the facts on how twins and multiples are formed and your chance of carrying more than one baby at a time.
Learn about the risks and benefits of circumcision.
What to expect during the first hours after delivery.
Learn about early screening and test options for your pregnancy.
Learn about testing and treatment for GBS bacterium.
