Cholestasis Results…
If you didn’t read the comment thread from the last pregnancy post, you may not be aware that (thanks to an alert reader) I was tested for Cholestasis, a rare and serious liver condition in pregnancy that poses harm to the baby and usually warrants early induction.
My nurse called this morning, and although she didn’t say the doctor gave an emphatic “No Cholestasis”, she said my bile salt levels were normal–PRAISE GOD! I’m assuming that’s an “all-clear”, but I have requested my doctor call me back with a little more detail and a confirmation from him.
I heard back from my doctor who said the liver function test and bile test were both normal and indicated no cholestasis at this point, though he might consider a re-test if I continue the itching. I am praising God for His mercy.
I am rejoicing so much in the Lord’s goodness, and in all your sweet prayers and concerns. It is a huge relief I am experiencing this morning, and I am back to preparing for a “normal” natural child birth–Yay! I’ll deal with the itching 
AND, I think it’s good to alert others that if you experience severe itching, particularly in the last trimester of pregnancy, be sure to insist your doctor test for Cholestasis.
Thanks again!
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Uncategorized | Word Warrior | 
June 22, 2009 11:48 am
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Oh, Kelly, I’m so glad! God be praised!
Praise to are good God!
What a relief.I am so happy for you.
Good news. Assuming the itching is merely due to stretching skin and not a symptom of something else, my midwife told me that crisco helped with itching. Aveeno makes a menthol lotion for itching that I found helpful too.
Kelly,
Praise God that your vital signs at this point are “normal!” You gave me quite a scare with the potential for liver disease. You are SO close to delivery . . .
I pray: Father, please, by your will alone, allow Kelly to have a safe delivery for her child. Father, this is her first natural birth, I pray that you will give her the strength to endure this new way of delivery for her, that her family will continue to comfort her, support her, and love her. I pray that your holy spirit will continue to surround this family with love and protection; and that Kelly’s new child will be born healthy and strong. Father, give the Crawford family the confidence to rely only upon you during this delicate time in their lives. I say all these things, through your son’s name, Jesus Christ, Amen!
Since I can’t call you on the phone physically, I decided to write my prayer for you, which I know is a little irregular, but I am sure that God will understand (smiles). I’m sorry it’s not the best prayer, but it’s sincere and from the heart.
Anyway, take great care Kelly, and I know that God will bless you!
Love,
Mrs. Lady Sofia
LS,
Thank you, thank you! It was a perfect prayer and much appreciated.
Wonderful!!!! Isn’t God good!!!
Another site about cholestasis is http://www.itchymoms.com/
I believe, to be on the safe side, you should have more than one test to compare the levels. I had severe itching on my legs with my second pregnancy. I itched my first, but the second time…oh dear. My doctor did one blood test to check for cholestasis and it came back fine, but I should have asked for more to compare levels, because I was SO worried the rest of the pregnancy and the baby was a week late! Also, I believe a low-fat diet is important. Bile levels can spike overnight, so it’s very important to monitor the situation vigilantly. Just keep an eye on it.
I’ll be praying for you and your baby!
Serena,
Thank you! Itchy moms was the first place I went by Ruby’s advice. I did make sure my Dr. did both a liver function test and bile salt test, and he said if I continued to have the itching, he may consider doing another one a little later. I felt the same way as you-just want to make sure and not worry! I’m also taking all kinds of detoxifying herbs and trying to eat carefully (yes, avoiding fats–so hard!) Thank you for your advice!
Thanks be to God! This is the good news we’ve all hoped and prayed for. Keep well and we look forward to the big arrival.
I have been catching up on your posts and took particular note of your comment about how upsetting, simply bending over to pick something up from the floor is when one is very pregnant. I identify with this.. this caused me so much anxiety when I was pregnant with my twins. I found a solution that saved my back and my sanity… a ‘helping hand’ pick up stick! In my former life as an OT I used to give out these devices to old ladies who had received hip replacements and never dreamed I would use one before the age of 70! It became like an extension of my arm for those last few weeks! You can purchase them in hardware stores these days as they are often used by people on ‘Community cleanup’ days to pick up rubbish. Hope this tip of help to someone… as bending over to pick up stuff is something we do numerous times a day… I should count how many times I do this on an average day!
YAY!!!!
So glad to hear the good news!
Oh, I always get that way during the last trimester! Gana calls me a cat, because I practically purrrrrrr as I make him scratch my back on and on and on! I itch ALL OVER like crazy! I use lotions and oils a lot towards the end.
I’m glad your test came back OK! Hope you get some relief from your itching!!!
I had a rash in my last pregnancy, all over my torso, it itched like crazy. It turns out i had PUPS syndrome. I found it somewhat amusing, as this is only common in first time pregnancy. I had been pregnant 11 times. Hope the itching gets better.
Praise God, Kelly. While I clearly haven’t given birth yet (my wedding is a month away), I am so interested in giving birth naturally and have done a fair amount of research, so I am thrilled for you that you likely won’t have to be induced because of Cholestasis. Prayers to you as you come to the end of your pregnancy!
C
Praise the Lord! I’m a first time poster, long time lurker. Wanted you to know I’ve been thinking of you and praying for you. I had terrible itching with my last pregnancy (blessing #7) for which I never found a cause. I was anemic as well (as with most of my pregnancies)…is anemia a possible cause for the itching? My doctors never mentioned it to me. I will continue to lift you up to our Lord for the remainder of your pregnancy.
I forgot to mention that I went natural with my 5th child…completely by accident. I somehow slept through most of my labor and woke up with intense contractions. By the time I got to the hospital they said it was too late for an epidural. I never thought I would be able to handle natural childbirth but I made it through and was set to do it again with my others. My husband didn’t want me to so I submitted to his wishes and had the epidural. However, I have to tell you that I felt better after the natural birth than with any of the others. YOU CAN DO IT!
Thanks for dropping in Jennifer!
And yes, I have found that anemia can cause all-over itching (I had read this before and assumed this was probably my problem before I had heard of cholestasis)–SO irritating! Today has been a very “itchy” day for me.
That’s encouraging about your natural birth–I need those stories!
Praise the LORD! You’ll be in my prayers for strength during these last few weeks of pregnancy and a smooth and safe natural delivery!!