I had Obstetric Cholestasis in my first and second pregnancy so it was no surprise that I was going to have it again in this third and last pregnancy. I started to feel a very mild itch from very early on, roughly 12 odd weeks. When I was 20 weeks + 5 days pregnant I phoned the pregnancy unit at hospital to ask to be tested because I've had it twice before and I could feel the itch there. I went in and god my results the following day, my ALT results told me I was at the start of having OC and that is when the doctor diagnosed me.
Since 20 weeks my itch has gotten worse each week. I was told by the doctor to get my blood tested each week at my local midwife. I am now 27 weeks and the past two weeks the itch is more noticeable but the past 3 days it's been worse. Writing this now my hands are extremely itchy and I just want to grab some sandpaper and itch! But I've put some cream on and just waiting {and hoping} for the itch to calm a bit. I was given some heyleve tablets but they don't work.
At 26 weeks 4 days pregnant, on a Friday a midwife from the pregnancy unit at hospital said my levels are raised and it's time I started going to hospital for tests and monitoring. I am not sure what my levels are yet but you can read that in my 27 week pregnancy update. I got for my appointment on Tuesday morning.
The past few days have been hard. I had my first cry at 26 weeks 6 days because the itch was just there and I couldn't get rid of it. I just keep thinking how am I going to last another 13 weeks like this? The itch was so intense and constant I couldn't go to sleep until 2-3am and the kids were awake around 7am. I woke up roughly that time because of my itching but even between 3 and 7 am I was on and off due to my itching and because the cream wasn't working.
I can see it being quite hard now coping with OC, being unwell and looking after two children. It will be worth it in the end but at the moment I just can't see the end of the tunnel. The time is going so slow and I am just feel shattered.
Part #2 will be up in 3-4 weeks.
Oh gosh this sound awful, poor you. I too would be reaching for anything just to itch, I am terrible at just trying to not itch x
ReplyDeleteAww! Bless you! I had this a little when I was pregnant with my eldest the itch was there but not too bad.
ReplyDeleteIt will be worth it in the end but I can understand it doesn't make you feel any better now.
Sending hugs x
I can't even imagine, what a pain. Sorry it has been unbearable at times. Not long to go now!
ReplyDeleteHow dreadful for you - there is nothing like an itch that won't go away. Hopefully your previous experience with OC should help you out.
ReplyDeleteOh hun I can only imagine how awful that must feel. Pregnancy has so many side effects to keep us awake but itching must drive you crazy! I hope you get the right support and treatment xx
ReplyDeleteI've had to google OC because I hadn't heard of it before. It sounds so irritating and you must be in a lot of discomfort. I hope you get through it and that the little ones will be kind to you over the next few weeks x
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that you are going through this :( At least there is not long to go now!
ReplyDeleteI can't even begin to imagine everything you are going through, it must be so tough! I hope for your sake that it eases up a bit x
ReplyDeleteOh gosh you poor thing :( I can't begin to imagine how you are feeling and managing to cope :( x
ReplyDeleteOh no that sounds the most horrendous thing to be going through. I hope you manage to find to something to help it x
ReplyDeleteOh hun! I'm so sad to hear that you are suffering with this again and that it is becoming worse for you. Sending you so many big hugs H xxx
ReplyDeleteOh hun so sorry to hear that you have been so itchy and unwell. It amazes me how brave and motivated you are to still make sure your children are ok even though you are ill.
ReplyDeleteIt drags especialy when there is something like that affecting you and it's hard not to feel down but keep busy, I had severe sickness and found distraction helped a bit x
ReplyDeleteOh no I'm so sorry to hear this!! I've never heard of this before. It must be so incredibly uncomfortable! I hope you're still in good spirits. xx
ReplyDeleteYikes, that sounds unbearable. I can't imagine having an itch that is that persistent.
ReplyDeleteAwww bless now awful for you, I can not even imagine as the itch would drive me bonkers
ReplyDeleteOh goodness that sounds unpleasant! I'm itchy just thinking about it! Does it go away once you give birth?
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the itch. I hope it gets better soon x
ReplyDeleteAah bless you lovely — that sounds awful. I hope that your consultant will be able to give you something else to help the itching. Feel better soon xx
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry you are suffering. This sounds awful. I promise it will end eventually. You're over halfway through. Chin up, Mama! You're doing great.
ReplyDeleteGosh I've never heard of this but it sounds terrible! Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of this before and I am so sorry that you are going through this. Pregnancy is not always easy at the best of times, but this sounds terrible. I hope it starts easing off for you!
ReplyDeleteOh no, I have never heard of this before buy it sounds really horrible and uncomfortable I really hope you find something to help you out 13 weeks is a long time to suffer.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday
I'm sorry to hear that you're suffering from OC and that the medication doesn't help alleviate the itching. Try to focus on the positives and the beautiful baby you will have in a few weeks time! Hope you manage to get some rest and peace of mind!
ReplyDeleteOh no, I didn't realise that's what OC was, it sounds awful. I hope they can give you something else to ease the itching, I don't know how you're coping! X
ReplyDeleteOh wow, it's not like being pregnant is uncomfortable enough! I work in labour & delivery but have never heard of this condition. So sorry that you must deal with it, but thank you for sharing your story
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for linking with #KCACOLS! I hope you come back next Sunday!
Tori
www.themamanurse.com
Oh how awful for you. I'm so sorry, it must be so annoying.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're doing much better now.
ReplyDeleteOh no that doesn't sound good. I'd not heard of this before but I can't imagine it being very pleasant. I really hope you can find something that works for you and relieves some of the itching though! #kcacols
ReplyDeleteI really feel for you. I had an allergic reaction to something a few weeks ago which gave me a top to toe rash. I was itching like mad. Luckily it went (although myself and the dr had no idea what it was) and when I started taking antihistamines they did help calm the itching down. I can't imagine having to go through so many weeks of it. I really hope it doesn't get worse, and you manage to find some relief somehow. x
ReplyDeleteGosh i feel for you. Must be tough having to go through all this! x
ReplyDeleteOh gosh I hope it doesn't get too bad for you. I've read a lot of things about this before. Sounds nasty x
ReplyDeleteI've never heard about OC before, but by reading your blog post, it seems uncomfortable. I hope it gets better soon so you are able to enjoy the rest of the pregnancy! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://lilinhaangel.com/
you poor thing!!!!!! hopefully you'll get it sorted and it won't cause you too much pain and distress. sending lots of love x
ReplyDeleteOC and two children to look after. I really feel for you. Being a mum and pregnant is enough of a challenge without being driven to distraction by painful itching. Thinking of you. #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteOh honey, I am so sorry that the OC is getting worse. I really hope that the hospital are able to help and give you something to relieve the itching. I can imagine that it is a really worrying and upsetting time. But keep strong lovely lady. You are almost on the home stretch. Hugs Lucy xxxx
ReplyDeleteOh dear! That must be extremely difficult to cope with. I really hope that it starts to calm down for you or that you manage to find something that helps. Good luck #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteOh lovely, how awful! The third trimester is hard enough without having to deal with such awful OC on top of it. I really feel for you and hope that it gets better rather than worse and/or you get something to help you cope with it. I just cant imagine how horrbile it must be :-( Emily #MarvMondays
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