Obstetric Cholestasis (and acupuncture?)
The last 5 days have been hell. I developed a rashless itch all over my body that has intensified daily (insanely bad at night). The itch occurs everywhere, including in my nostrils, ears, and private areas. On good advice, I went to my obstetrician at the earliest chance and have undergone blood tests for liver function and bile salts.
The liver function test has come back with bad results and I'm still waiting on the bile salts test which takes a good week because there are only a few pathology labs in Australia that process the test. But I know from the way I feel (ill) and the intensity of the itching that the prognosis won't be good.
From what I've read, due to the increased chance of still birth, the best course of action is to deliver the baby as early as possible. I'm reeling because I was planning a water birth following a traumatic experience with pre-eclampsia last pregnancy (apparently my uterus is a black-hole cesspool for babies).
Although I just want my baby safe in my arms and alive, above all else, I am also seeking a solution. I'm 34 weeks pregnant so there's a few weeks before the baby could be delivered. In that time I want to find an answer.
It occured to me that bile acids flowing the wrong way and entering the blood stream is exactly the kind of thing traditional chinese acupuncture should be able to treat. Can anyone please tell me if I would be right about this? Is there anyone who is knowledgeable on this topic who could help me? I have never had acupuncture before.
I am so scared and distraught, I have never cried like I did today. I feel like my world is crashing.
