Cholestasis & Pre Eclampsia

Hello, I am new here!

I had quite a bad fist pregnancy severe sickness up until 16 weeks then I had Cholestasis at around 28/30 weeks and had to be induced at 36 weeks.

Birth was ok but then had pre-eclampsia and stayed in hospital for a while afterwards.

Is it likely I will have Cholestasis this time round?

Has this happened to anyone else?

Thanks for any help/chat

[Mols123]

Hey! I’m currently 37+4 and have cholestasis too. In my case my mom had it, and my sister did too. However, my mom carried 3 babies after having it and didn’t get it again. I know your chances are higher if you’ve had it in previous pregnancies but like I said be positive my mom had 3 after having it and was fine through all 3 with no signs of cholestasis.

Good luck! X

[Hidden in reply to Mols123]

Thank you so much! Just be nice to last longer than 36 weeks as last time just felt I wasn’t as ready as I wanted to be, hadn’t even started my maternity leave from work!

Your so close now good luck and thanks for replying x

[Barry87 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Lulu, hope your baby was delivered safely.

At which week did you deliver?

[Barry87 in reply to Mols123]

Hi Mols123. Hope you delivered your baby safely.

Can I ask how high your bile readings were?

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.

[Mols123 in reply to Barry87]

Hi Barry, I was sent for induction of labour at 37+5. My bile acids dropped with medication too but I still went ahead with my induction of labour because I thought that was for the best. I can imagine you are worried but try to stay calm as I’m sure your wife and baby will be perfectly fine ❤️.

My mum and sister both had cholestasis too but had their babies naturally.

Go with what you feels right. I took the induction of labour but that doesn’t mean you have to. I was suffering with the itching very badly so it felt right for me.

Best wishes ❤️

[Mols123 in reply to Barry87]

Sorry I forgot to say, I believe my bile acids were above 200.

[Barry87 in reply to Mols123]

Thanks for the swift response Mols123. Really useful.

My partner and I feel it's probably best to be induced as our doctors have recommended it. I forgot to mention partner has gestational diabetes too.

If you dont mind sharing, what were your readings weeks leading up to your delivery?

I dont know why but the doctors are strongly suggesting inducing her before week 37 and we would ideally like the baby to be full term (37 weeks+). Partner's bile readings are within the normal range now and her diabetes is being managed.

Doctors have said the time of delivery is ultimately down to us but we want to ensure that the induction date is right. We don't want the induction to be too soon if there is no need but then again we don't want to delay it and risk complications.

[Mols123 in reply to Barry87]

I would have to look for the paperwork from pregnancy to give exact figures but I was not diagnosed with cholestasis until I was 32 weeks. I was told I had covid on the Saturday and cholestasis on the Sunday so it was a pretty scary time. I hope this doesn’t worry you, but I think they prefer to induce the labour because the pregnancy is now high risk. Therefore, better to get baby out and look after baby outside of the womb, so that moms liver can repair. In all the instances I have known the liver repairs pretty soon after baby is born. In doctors eyes baby is safe to be born and mom will recover soon after. If I can find what my readings were I will let you know. Again, try not to worry. X

[Mols123 in reply to Barry87]

Also, if your partner is struggling with the itching any powder and aqius cream with menthol worked wonders for me along with cold showers x

[Barry87 in reply to Mols123]

Oh wow, the circumstances you have described are very similar to what my partner went through. She was admitted into ICU for 6 weeks with really bad covid. She was incubated and on a ventilator for just over 2 weeks. When she came round, her sugar levels shot up and she started to itch. The ICU consultants said it was due to COVID. After a couple weeks they said it could be pregnancy related. So she's now been told she has gestational diabetes and cholestasis but have not ruled out the liver issue being a side effect of COVID.

Urso has really helped control my partner's bile levels. The hepatology team did say it her blood improvements could be because her body is healing from covid. We just dont know as so much is unknown about the long term effects of covid.

Partner's itching has passed too since taking urso.

I think we will look to keep to the induction date of 36 weeks + 4 days but closer to the time, see if the doctors would recommend pushing it to 37 weeks.

Thank you.

[Mols123 in reply to Barry87]

Poor lady sounds like she’s been through it all! I was induced at 37+6 but was 38+3 by the time my son was born as the inducement didn’t actually work. May I ask if this is your first baby? Just because induction of labour seems to be slower for those having their first baby IMO. I think sticking to the day given would be a good idea. 36 weeks use to be classed as “full term” or so I was told by a covid nurse I had. Again, they seem to follow different rules and have different opinions about induction of labour at different hospitals. I’m sure baby will be fine at 36+4 so try to not worry about anything! X

[Barry87 in reply to Mols123]

Thank you for the kind words Mols123.

Yes, first baby. She's 35 years old. I think my partner's mother had it but wasn't diagnosed with it.

[Mols123 in reply to Barry87]

Very similar to my situation. I believe it runs through families sadly. I cannot find my week by week results from IBC. But know they were very similar to your partners if not higher, I believe they peaked 200+ at one point. My LB was born via c-section and was a whopping 8lb14! Very healthy at now nearing 8 months. Wishing you and your family best of luck. I am now receiving notifs from this post so feel free to ask anything else if needs be. Well wishes x