A not so great update on my pregnancy

[collier]

So, we were swimming along quite well, me and Goughvert (his fetus name). I was feeling really good and alert.

Then a few weeks ago I started really itching. A lot. All the time. Everywhere. I have pretty sensitive and "tricky" skin already, so I pretty much chalked it up to that. Several people at work suggested different things to try, and all sort of worked but only short term.

When I spoke to my doula (what a godsend!) I told her about the itching. The next day she called me and said "I know this probably isn't it and I don't want to worry you, but a few years ago I had a client with similar symptoms who ended up having something wrong with her liver." She asked me to ask the midwife to run some liver tests. I went in on Feb. 19, and met with a midwife (they rotate in the practice so I don't see the same person every time). She didn't think it was my liver, but she was happy to run the tests.

Well, my bile acid tests came back high. They called me the next day and had already scheduled an ultra-sound for the baby and an ultra-sound of my liver. They also decided that I needed to have weekly ultrasounds and non-stress tests. The working diagnosis was Cholestasis. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/cholestasispregnancy.html

So, I went on Monday to do the non-stress test (which I found stressful!) and then yesterday morning I went have more blood drawn. The results were higher than the last draw. I am now scheduled to see a perinatal doctor on Friday, although I don't think my care will have to be transfered to him.

So, I have an official diagnosis of Cholestasis. This means that my liver is not functioning properly, making me itch, but making the environment toxic for the baby. Their is an increase in pre-term labor and also stillbirth. They will likely set an inducement date this Friday which will be around 37 weeks. I am now 32 weeks.

This has moved very quickly. It was not my desire for this baby. But, my doula came over last night and she said that it is possible to still deliver without an epidural even on the pit. So, I am going to be reading up on that.

I will stop work in two weeks and then just wait it out. Any advice, experience, hugs, are all appreciated.

Best,

[Amanda_Reyasmom]

:( All I have a {{{{{Hugs}}}}}

[azul99]

I'm sorry Margaret, that sounds so hard. I am glad you have a diagnosis and hope that everything goes very smoothly for you and the baby.

[lunita]

((( Margaret))) What a lot to digest for you. :( I'm sorry.

FWIW, I'm rereading the Bradley childbirth stuff and I think it could be useful for a pit-induced birth, since it teaches relaxation in a side-lying position (I tend to be more active and labor in lots of positions, so that part of Bradley kind of turned me off, but if you're hooked up to monitors and a pit drip, you might be more tied to a bed, at least near the end of labor?) I'm pretty much done with the book and can mail it to you if you're interested.

[Jessica]

So, we were swimming along quite well, me and Goughvert (his fetus name). I was feeling really good and alert.

Then a few weeks ago I started really itching. A lot. All the time. Everywhere. I have pretty sensitive and "tricky" skin already, so I pretty much chalked it up to that. Several people at work suggested different things to try, and all sort of worked but only short term.

When I spoke to my doula (what a godsend!) I told her about the itching. The next day she called me and said "I know this probably isn't it and I don't want to worry you, but a few years ago I had a client with similar symptoms who ended up having something wrong with her liver." She asked me to ask the midwife to run some liver tests. I went in on Feb. 19, and met with a midwife (they rotate in the practice so I don't see the same person every time). She didn't think it was my liver, but she was happy to run the tests.

Well, my bile acid tests came back high. They called me the next day and had already scheduled an ultra-sound for the baby and an ultra-sound of my liver. They also decided that I needed to have weekly ultrasounds and non-stress tests. The working diagnosis was Cholestasis. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/cholestasispregnancy.html

So, I went on Monday to do the non-stress test (which I found stressful!) and then yesterday morning I went have more blood drawn. The results were higher than the last draw. I am now scheduled to see a perinatal doctor on Friday, although I don't think my care will have to be transfered to him.

So, I have an official diagnosis of Cholestasis. This means that my liver is not functioning properly, making me itch, but making the environment toxic for the baby. Their is an increase in pre-term labor and also stillbirth. They will likely set an inducement date this Friday which will be around 37 weeks. I am now 32 weeks.

This has moved very quickly. It was not my desire for this baby. But, my doula came over last night and she said that it is possible to still deliver without an epidural even on the pit. So, I am going to be reading up on that.

I will stop work in two weeks and then just wait it out. Any advice, experience, hugs, are all appreciated.

Best,

(((Margaret and Goughvert))) I know that this is not what you wanted for this pregnancy and birth. I am sorry. I do understand how hard it can be to let go of a scenario when it was not your choice to do so. Do remember that you still do have choices here and it is within your control to make many decisions about this birth even if it is in yours and Goughvert's best interest to proceed with an induction. Love, peace, and clarity sent your way. It sounds as if you have a great doula and a positive mindset. Two of the best tools to have IMO.

[collier]

I would love the book.

[mudcreekmama]

First HUGE HUGS MARGARET!!!!

I had an induction without any pain medications whatsoever.

The OB I had was not North American (she was trained in France) and this is the protocol she followed.

Give the Cytotec a full DAY to do its thing before starting the Pitocin. Ramp up the pitocin very slowly.

Now I shoulda had a c-section my transfer was because Sam very stubbornly kept flipping transverse and had the room to do it WHILE I WAS IN LABOUR and then when my wter broke his cord prolapsed and we were both pretty beaten up with a suctioned vaginal birth.

But the labour was fine up until that point.

[hamamelis]

Oh Margaret, hang in there! Who is your doula? I know a couple over in that area, it would be awesome if one of them is yours. :grouphug:

[lunita]

I've written down your address if you want to edit it out now.

[collier]

Thanks!

[indigo]

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. I am really glad that your doula was so on the ball though! It would have been so easy to gloss over that symptom. I hope everything goes smoothly.

[hamamelis]

I know Margaret's doula! She's a great one and I'm so happy that M has her! I want to say that Jillwe had her, too. I have another friend that had her at a homebirth.

[candeo]

(((Margaret))) I'll be thinking about you and Goughvert and hoping the next few weeks go quickly and uneventfully.

[Tracy]

{{{Margaret}}} I'll be thinking of you and that baby of yours !(nt)

[Vicky]

{{{Margaret}}} I do know someone who had this and went on to have a happy, healthy baby with no complications. I will keep you in my thoughts. {{{hugs}}}


Every time I wear that gorgeous brown coat, BTW, I think of you. I get a lot of compliments on it!

[jerzymama]

Oh {{{{{Margaret & Goughvert}}}}} I'm so sorry. You must be a mess of emotion right now. I know I would be. But from the outside looking in, I'm actually happy that nature has this built in Red Flag (itching) to let you know that something was not right. Wishing you peace and comfort...I know how much you like to plan. It's sound like your doula is going to be a great advocate for you and will be able to help you navigate past some of the things that were not planned, in the way that is best for you and your baby. {{{{HUGS}}}}


So, we were swimming along quite well, me and Goughvert (his fetus name). I was feeling really good and alert.

Then a few weeks ago I started really itching. A lot. All the time. Everywhere. I have pretty sensitive and "tricky" skin already, so I pretty much chalked it up to that. Several people at work suggested different things to try, and all sort of worked but only short term.

When I spoke to my doula (what a godsend!) I told her about the itching. The next day she called me and said "I know this probably isn't it and I don't want to worry you, but a few years ago I had a client with similar symptoms who ended up having something wrong with her liver." She asked me to ask the midwife to run some liver tests. I went in on Feb. 19, and met with a midwife (they rotate in the practice so I don't see the same person every time). She didn't think it was my liver, but she was happy to run the tests.

Well, my bile acid tests came back high. They called me the next day and had already scheduled an ultra-sound for the baby and an ultra-sound of my liver. They also decided that I needed to have weekly ultrasounds and non-stress tests. The working diagnosis was Cholestasis. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/cholestasispregnancy.html

So, I went on Monday to do the non-stress test (which I found stressful!) and then yesterday morning I went have more blood drawn. The results were higher than the last draw. I am now scheduled to see a perinatal doctor on Friday, although I don't think my care will have to be transfered to him.

So, I have an official diagnosis of Cholestasis. This means that my liver is not functioning properly, making me itch, but making the environment toxic for the baby. Their is an increase in pre-term labor and also stillbirth. They will likely set an inducement date this Friday which will be around 37 weeks. I am now 32 weeks.

This has moved very quickly. It was not my desire for this baby. But, my doula came over last night and she said that it is possible to still deliver without an epidural even on the pit. So, I am going to be reading up on that.

I will stop work in two weeks and then just wait it out. Any advice, experience, hugs, are all appreciated.

Best,

[leannan_si]

my situation was different in that my water had already broken naturally so my body was ready, but I have faith that you can do it! Relaxation, retreating into myself (which is hard to describe accurately), breathing and massage helped me through the contractions. :grouphug:

[threecubs]

{{{{{Margaret}}}}} You and baby are in my thoughts!

[bannanabette]

{{{Margaret, DH and baby}}} My thoughts and hopes are with you guys - hopefully it will just be a little blip on the road to an easy and healthy delivery!

[gfrach]

Hugs, Margaret!

[sarahs]

Oh sweetie, I'm sorry. Lots of good thoughts for you and your little Goughvert. {{{{{Margaret}}}}} (nt)

[Kim]

{{there was a mama here who dealt with this in her pregnancies}} She took a lot of oatmeal baths. I think her first was early. Who remembers? Was it Tara?

As far as induction and birth, I think that can go many ways. I've talked to YAAPs women who had very easy, uncomplicated inductions. It goes the other way too. I do think that the risk to baby is high enough to warrant an induction and if that occurs, you will still be able to make choices.

FTR, my first 2 births were unmedicated and uninduced. The intensity of the labor with the induction was so very different and I did ask for an epidural. I don't think I could have done it-- the contractions's strength were way ahead of the dilation. I dont feel bad that I asked for it even though it wasn't what I wanted. Give yourself permission to ask for whatever you need and to make changes to your plans if you decide you need to do so.

[BlueMama]

{{{{{Margaret}}}}}} Wow, that is a lot to take in. I have a friend that I'm pretty sure this is what she dealt with as well and has 4 healthy, beautiful children regardless. I think that Kim's advice is very, very good:


Give yourself permission to ask for whatever you need and to make changes to your plans if you decide you need to do so.

[A_Marie]

((M,R and G)) We are praying for you! Thinking of you! And full of hope for all of you! Hey you can call me anytime you want to just complain or giggle. I'm home all day!

[saffron]

I will stop work in two weeks and then just wait it out. Any advice, experience, hugs, are all appreciated.


{{{Margaret}}} I'm sorry this is going on. I am impressed by your doula, and I'm glad you found out about this sooner rather than later. Hopefully that will give you some time to process what is happening and to prepare yourself for a possible induction. I'm wishing you lots of peace and strength.

[Stacey]

(((((Margaret))))) Thinking of you! nt

[Bonny]

{{{{{{{{{Margaret and Baby}}}}}}}}}

thinking of you .... you can do this, mama.

[lunita]

and the strong, smart sixteen year old boy coating everything in mayo at my house... his mom had cholestasis when she was pregnant with him.

[riversprite]

{{Margaret and little Goughvert}}
I'm thinking of you.

[Kathy]

(((((Margaret))))) I had Cholestasis with both pregnancies, but worse with my first. To be honest, when I read your "itchy" post, that's the first thing I thought of, since I itched like crazy because of the liver issues. It runs in my family - there are stories of my Grandma scratching her feet on the rocks in the garden until they bled. I was induced at 38 weeks, which was a little early for Ryan (he showed some signs of prematurity), but it needed to happen so we'd both be safe. I ended up really sick by that point (edema, fatigue, blurry vision, etc) and had liver labs bad enough that I had magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures (relaxes the uterus) while they had me on pitocin to speed contractions. Took a long time, but it worked out fine.

Not trying to scare you, just let you know that in your case, inducing is a reasonable, healthy choice.

Have you seen this (http://www.itchymoms.com/) website? Lots of great information about Cholestasis and how to deal with symptoms, what to expect, support, etc. I wish this had been around when I was pregnant!

[niteowll]

((hugs to you, Margaret, and Goughvert))... all bits of great advice. I'll be thinking of you over the next few weeks.


So, we were swimming along quite well, me and Goughvert (his fetus name). I was feeling really good and alert.

Then a few weeks ago I started really itching. A lot. All the time. Everywhere. I have pretty sensitive and "tricky" skin already, so I pretty much chalked it up to that. Several people at work suggested different things to try, and all sort of worked but only short term.

When I spoke to my doula (what a godsend!) I told her about the itching. The next day she called me and said "I know this probably isn't it and I don't want to worry you, but a few years ago I had a client with similar symptoms who ended up having something wrong with her liver." She asked me to ask the midwife to run some liver tests. I went in on Feb. 19, and met with a midwife (they rotate in the practice so I don't see the same person every time). She didn't think it was my liver, but she was happy to run the tests.

Well, my bile acid tests came back high. They called me the next day and had already scheduled an ultra-sound for the baby and an ultra-sound of my liver. They also decided that I needed to have weekly ultrasounds and non-stress tests. The working diagnosis was Cholestasis. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/cholestasispregnancy.html

So, I went on Monday to do the non-stress test (which I found stressful!) and then yesterday morning I went have more blood drawn. The results were higher than the last draw. I am now scheduled to see a perinatal doctor on Friday, although I don't think my care will have to be transfered to him.

So, I have an official diagnosis of Cholestasis. This means that my liver is not functioning properly, making me itch, but making the environment toxic for the baby. Their is an increase in pre-term labor and also stillbirth. They will likely set an inducement date this Friday which will be around 37 weeks. I am now 32 weeks.

This has moved very quickly. It was not my desire for this baby. But, my doula came over last night and she said that it is possible to still deliver without an epidural even on the pit. So, I am going to be reading up on that.

I will stop work in two weeks and then just wait it out. Any advice, experience, hugs, are all appreciated.

Best,

[lunita]

I assume you meant to post the link to http://www.itchymoms.com ?

I'm glad you spoke up. I think we all remembered SOMEONE here having cholestasis, but we couldn't remember who it was!

[Artemis]

((((((Margaret)))))) I'm sorry that it's not what you expected. How scary. You are both in my thoughts.

[Kari]

(((Margaret))) I will be keeping you & Goughvert in my thoughts!

[elizabeth]

((( Margaret))) What a lot to digest for you. :( I'm sorry.

FWIW, I'm rereading the Bradley childbirth stuff and I think it could be useful for a pit-induced birth, since it teaches relaxation in a side-lying position (I tend to be more active and labor in lots of positions, so that part of Bradley kind of turned me off, but if you're hooked up to monitors and a pit drip, you might be more tied to a bed, at least near the end of labor?) I'm pretty much done with the book and can mail it to you if you're interested.

I had a Bradley birth with pit, I wasn't induced, but had started labor and then it stalled and they broke my water and cranked on the pit. The Bradley training was invaluable.

[elizabeth]

I'm sorry Margaret. It's difficult when you feel as if your body has betrayed you, and that the scerenio you build in your mind is not going that way in real life.

I said above, I did deliver naturally with pit, it can be done.

I'll give you and Goughvert many {{Hugs}}

[Sue]

So, we were swimming along quite well, me and Goughvert (his fetus name). I was feeling really good and alert.

Then a few weeks ago I started really itching. A lot. All the time. Everywhere. I have pretty sensitive and "tricky" skin already, so I pretty much chalked it up to that. Several people at work suggested different things to try, and all sort of worked but only short term.

When I spoke to my doula (what a godsend!) I told her about the itching. The next day she called me and said "I know this probably isn't it and I don't want to worry you, but a few years ago I had a client with similar symptoms who ended up having something wrong with her liver." She asked me to ask the midwife to run some liver tests. I went in on Feb. 19, and met with a midwife (they rotate in the practice so I don't see the same person every time). She didn't think it was my liver, but she was happy to run the tests.

Well, my bile acid tests came back high. They called me the next day and had already scheduled an ultra-sound for the baby and an ultra-sound of my liver. They also decided that I needed to have weekly ultrasounds and non-stress tests. The working diagnosis was Cholestasis. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/cholestasispregnancy.html

So, I went on Monday to do the non-stress test (which I found stressful!) and then yesterday morning I went have more blood drawn. The results were higher than the last draw. I am now scheduled to see a perinatal doctor on Friday, although I don't think my care will have to be transfered to him.

So, I have an official diagnosis of Cholestasis. This means that my liver is not functioning properly, making me itch, but making the environment toxic for the baby. Their is an increase in pre-term labor and also stillbirth. They will likely set an inducement date this Friday which will be around 37 weeks. I am now 32 weeks.

This has moved very quickly. It was not my desire for this baby. But, my doula came over last night and she said that it is possible to still deliver without an epidural even on the pit. So, I am going to be reading up on that.

I will stop work in two weeks and then just wait it out. Any advice, experience, hugs, are all appreciated.

Best,

((((Margaret and Baby))) Lots of good thoughts headed your way.

[Mary]

(((((Margaret))))))

[Tangwystl]

((((Margaret))))

[ceross]

I hope that you will have all the information and support you need to help you and your little one.
-Carolyn