obstetric cholestasis at 37 weeks

[Tamzyn]

I turned 37 weeks today and for 2 nights now I've been woken with very itchy feet! I've of course got onto Google and obstetric cholestasis has come up and it says a lot about being induced at37 weeks. I want to try to avoid this and was hoping to give birth at a maternity unit rather than a hospital and I won't be able to if I have to be induced. Was just wondering if anyone knew if my baby is at risk and should I be getting induced right now

[Seb9]

Call your midwife in the morning and get checked out. If you've only self diagnosed then you may not even have it.

There are studies that have shown a higher risk to babies when mum's have this as your liver isn't working as it should be. I had an induction for my baby and it really wasn't that bad, but try not to worry until you have it diagnosed as it might be something you never have to have.

[Cjaythom]

Hi to confirm you need blood tests, call the hospital ANC and they will send you.

I had this on my first, they brought my section forward a week (38 weeks)but that was 7 years ago.

I’m on my second and now know what I am looking for and the itching started on and off a while ago but my bloods are normal.

So get a blood test and cross that bridge when you come to it if you do! Good luck in the next few weeks.

[kellyormerod]

I was diagnosed with OC at 30 weeks and have my induction date set for 38 weeks. There are risks to baby hence why they try to induce labour early. It wasn’t the Labour I wanted either but I’d rather know baby was safe and healthy.

Hope everything goes well. They take bloods to test the level of bile acids and may also send you for a liver scan to diagnose. If your bile acids are low they may let you go to 39 weeks but my consultant recommended 38. Bile acids would need to be under 10 for this though. If you’re over 10 but under 100 induction will be offered to you. If your bile acids are over 100 they will induce you asap

[Barry87 in reply to kellyormerod]

Hi Kelly

My partner was diagnosed with Chloestatis in week 29. Her reading was 119. She's been taking Urso 500mg 3 times a day for the last 4 weeks and thankfully her Bile reading is now much lower. It's reduced from 119, 80, 15 and 8.9. Doctors still want to induce her at week 36 + 4 days. I'm just wondering now that her bile readings have significantly reduced, should we go ahead with week 36 + 4 days or try to get to full term (37 days). We have seen 3 different doctors and they all suggest different induction dates (week 35, week 36, week 37). Partner is currently 33 weeks + 4 days.