Anyone ever heard of cholestasis?

[mandye]

I had DD last August, but was wondering if anyone else has this or has heard of it. I was diagnosed with cholestasis at 38 weeks which is pretty lucky because, from what I understand, the baby must be delivered early or there is a high risk of still birth. It has something to do with my liver shutting down and bile salts building up. The only symptom I had was severe itching EVERYWHERE. I almost scratched my skin off. My doctor didn't have a whole lot of info (there isn't a whole lot out there) but he said it would come back earlier and more severe with each pregnancy. My sister's sister-in-law also has this and she was told that she can't have anymore children after only two.

I'm just curious if anyone out there has ever heard of it or been diagnosed with it and can give me more info.

Mandy

[dogmom]

Here's a couple of articles about cholestasis in pregnancy. The theory is some hormone changes in pregnancy causes problems with the normal flow of bile in the gallbladder, causing it to back up into the blood (sort of). The waste products cause the itching and jaundice in some.

General info:
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/info/pregnancy/diagnose/cholesta.htm

Abstract about one treatment:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1092-8472/6/123/abstract

Abstract about possible genetic causes:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=21187764

What I've read is that the degree of cholestasis can vary from pregnancy to pregnency, and doesn't always get worse. Athough the disease can cause serious problems, including stillbirth. Your best bet might be to get in contact with the OB department or gastrointestinal department at a large teaching hospital near year. Just start calling and explain your situation. You should eventual find a doctor with more experience that can give you more information. The one thing I did find is that the liver function tests that they use to monitor cholestasis in pregnency do not necessarily correlate with outcome, but it's all they got.

Jeanne
Mom to Harvey
1/16/03

[NEVE and TRISTAN]

They tested me for this...I was itching alot and it was mentioned here that maybe it was that...I made the HUGE mistake of doing a internet search and getting all afraid. My midwives ordered me off of the internet. My levels came back negative, which didn't seem to suprise them. But I did find a lot about it on the internet...

Neve
AKA "mama2be"-forgot password
and Baby Boy Tristan born @UNC
Feb 25, 2003
Brother to 3 pups "gees" and 2 kitties

[votre_ami03]

I know of two mom's who had this & they were both pregnant w/twins. I hear it is common among multiple mom's? I don't know much else about it though.
Christy, mommy to Nolan 7/22/03