Has anyone else had or got OC (obstetric coliostasis) and want advice or just want to share your experiences?

I had itchy skin with my first child. They told me it was just normal pregnancy itching and I should just wear loose clothes and put E45 cream on my belly. However, with my 2nd, in the 3rd trimester I began itching insanely! It started on my fingertips and feet. Then on my belly, my back, my legs etc. In the end it was pretty generalised. I went to my doctor and she didnt know anything about OC (I didnt know I had it at this point) and she prescribed me steroid cream!!! However, I was desperate for the itching to stop so I took it. I had my midwife appointment about a week later and she was so not happy with the doctor prescribing cream with steroids in lol. She saw the state of my belly and legs and took my blood. From then on I had to have blood taken every couple of days and be put on the CTG machine every other day for 2 weeks whilst the doctors and midwives decided whether or not to induce me. They had to keep an eye on baby as having OC increases the still born risk of 15% if we go full term so they normally recommend inducing between 37 and 38 weeks.
They finally decided to induce me at 38 weeks. Ive been told that if I have any more that there is a very very high chance of having it again and the itching could get worse but atleast now I know whats wrong and so will the doctors.

I just wanted to share my experience because I know, although they say its not, its getting more common. To all those who think they may have this please seek medical advice via midwife and just keep going until they pay attention, dont get ignored like I did.

Good luck to all!!!!

Some of you women out there who have had OC and given birth to a healthy child are very lucky. I also had OC with my second child, I had severe itching, always feeling sick and sometimes i would have no appetite at all. I now know that these are all signs of OC. I went to my midwife and told her about my problems and just dismissed it all as normal, My midwife gave me E45 cream and told me i would be fine. The itching became more severe juring my 3rd trimester.
I was due on the 14th july, i lost some waters on the 8th july, i went into hospital to be checked, i heard my sons last heart beat and then he passed away. I had to go home and return on the 10th to be induced to give birth naturally. It was the hardest thing i have ever had to do.

I know that i will make sure that i am not ignored next time and i hope that my story will help other mothers to speak out and make sure you are tested. if you think you might have OC.

I had obstetric cholestasis with all my pregnancies. With my first it was undiagnosed and I had my baby just in time(37w) - the placenta had stopped feeding him. As time went by and I got PG again I had a great ob. He gave me ursydeoxic(sp)acid and piritin, which didnt stop the itching but certainly helped ease it a little bit. I had my subsequent babies at 35w6d, 37w, and 35w.

The itching was suicidal at times and looking back I wonder how I stayed sane with it, day and night. It is not a pleasant condition to endure.

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