Obstetric Cholestasis

[Melinda]

Does anybody out there currently have it? Has anyone had it previously? What did you use for relief (if anything?) From what I understand it's something to do with the oestrogen produced during PG and also the liver releasing bile salts into your system and the only accurate way to determine what is going on accurately is through serum bile salt tests which are expensive and only done by the Royal Women & Children's Hospital in Melbourne? Apparently most women during PG will have some changes to their liver function during PG, so liver function tests in isolation may not give a definitive result on the extent of the condition?

My OB thinks that I currently have it. I'm itching virtually all over my body, i.e. hands, arms, chest, boobs, back, legs (to around my knees - below the knees I'm all good LOL). I've tried moisturising, but to no avail, and also powder etc thinking perhaps my skin was either too dry (I'm prone to eczema at times and my skin has been quite dry on my face and hands during this PG) or perhaps it was from sweating during the night (hence using the powder).

Thankfully it's pretty good during the day - I just have moments where it is itchy really, but it's night time when it's a shocker. Sometimes it wakes me up, other times I wake up to go to the toilet and just immediately start to scratch. From what I can gather however, it can be a whole lot worse than the symptoms I am experiencing, so I should be grateful.

My OB isn't concerned about me or the baby at all, as I'm not jaundiced (a good thing apparently) and my BP is normal and the baby is moving normally. She is being born early anyway due to a repeat c/s and he was saying to me that generally there are risks when the PG progresses over 40w for singletons?

So......anyone else out there want to share their thoughts/experiences with OC?

ETA: Thank you Kelly and Tiff (Tiggy) for discussing this issue with me further and for your support and information!