After mentioning the overall itching that I had just started experiencing to my OB last week he immediately sent me for blood test which came back unfortunately on Friday to confirm that I had increased levels of bile salt in blood steam. He has put me on an anti-biotic which he had told me about at the visit. Wanted to start immediately this immediately so had faxed the script to my local pharmacy - who were more than happy to fill the script and take my $200 !!!!!!!
He has moved my weekly Tuesday appointment to Monday and wants to discuss then if my pregnancy is causing this conditioin whether I need to remain pregnant! I will be 38 weeks on Monday. Baby is IVF baby so we do know that the dates are 100% correct and that at 38 weeks baby would be fine.
I am reluctant to google the condition too much as I know how scarey some of the information you read on line can be - especially when information source is unknown - but would like to have some information prior to seeing OB on Monday and having discussion.
What if anything do you ladies know about the condition and what are your thoughts regarding having the baby "early".
Any insights/ experience would be really appreciated.
As I understand it 38 weeks (especially with the certainty of IVF dates) is not considered 'early' so it then becomes a question for you about what sort of birth experience you were after - if you're not fussed about induction vs going into spontaneous labor etc then I don't see an issue... in the same situation I'd probably try to compromise by giving it one more week (to 39 weeks) and then go ahead with induction if nothing has begun on it's own... it depends how long you can put up with the itching I guess...
I had OC as well and delivered at 35weeks when my liver functions dropped way too low and became a real risk to DD. I know that inductions are rough (ohhh boy do I know that one!!) but OC is NOT to be messed with. If you have been reading on the net you know that after 37weeks in the danger zone for mum and bub. The risk of having the baby early is far less than the risk of letting the pregnancy contiue. I know it sounds harsh but I have been there and I know how close we can to losing our little one. If you are at 38 weeks bubs is fine and dandy to join us here in the world so my attitude would be better safe than sorry. Just my experiances though. In the end all you can do is talk with your OB and make the decision that is right for you.
All the very best
I will be thinking of you and bubs!!
I don't want to freak you out, but I did recently read a blog of a lady who lost her bub, due to OC, at 35 weeks. Bub stopped moving the day they got the test results back.
I would seriously go with the OB's suggestion. You are now term, so bub should be safe to come out.
Thanks ladies - will let you know how I go. Pretty certain he will suggest I go early just a matter of what day this week rather than if it is this week.
Yikes - all happening so quickly now.
Guess the decision then is induction or c/s section. Had read that labour after induction can be rough and OB also thinks baby is on the larger size for my build but recovery after section isn't the easiest of roads either. Will just have to listen to what the experts say and go with what is safest for both of us - or more particularly the baby.
Personally if it were me I would still go for an induction rather than a c/s because 1 you may be able to vaginally birth your baby perfectly fine (and yes, I only know too well how rough an induction can be!) and bubs may not be too large at all and 2 if there is no medical reason why the OC would prevent a vaginal birth then go for the induction as even if it does end in a c/s your baby has had the benefit of some labour. There is a member here Bathsheba who had an induction at 37wks for OC I hope she see this and pops in to share her story.
The itching explained - Obstetric Cholestasis!
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