The story of Michelle
This pregnancy was anything but easy. It started off with bleeding the first few months. I went to the ER several times. The first time I went I had passed a large clot, the doctor assumed I lost the baby and said to wait it out. I demanded an ultrasound because this had happened to me before and I was still pregnant. I got the ultrasound and there was a baby with a heartbeat. I thought all my troubles were over and I could finally enjoy my pregnancy. I kept bleeding and that lead to bedrest and losing my job. In the mix of that I got flu a and b then followed by bronchitis. After being extremely itchy I thought all the medicine I was on to get better was making me feel this way. Turns out that wasn’t the case. I told my doctor I was so itchy, itchy to the point I was scratching my skin raw! An itch you couldn’t scratch. She said she would test me for ICP but she doubts that’s what it is. I got some blood work done and found out I developed a rare disease called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. With this comes the risk of stillbirth on top of tons of other things, for one having to deliver early.
He was a month early. I have never been so afraid in my life. My doctor called about a week later and said I needed to come in so she could talk to me, this wasn’t something to discuss over the phone. I was there within the hour so afraid. When she came in she told me it indeed was ICP and we needed to start treatment asap. I asked if my baby was going to be ok and all she could say was, “We hope so”. She informed me she had dealt with one other case of ICP and the lady lost her baby. I was so scared! I started Ursodiol right away and started going to a specialist and getting monitored weekly. I also changed my diet drastically and stopped eating foods that would produce bile. I wanted to do anything I could to not lose my baby ! I was a nervous wreck for months. Anytime he wouldn’t move I would question it and panic and head to the ER. We were both wrapped in so much prayer I KNEW it would all be ok but there’s always that fear in the back of your mind. The fear of what if. I’m thankful my doctor knew to test me for this condition and not only that but send me to a high risk specialist to get weekly ultrasounds among other things to make sure he was growing the way he should and everything was developing the right way. It was definitely trying and the most difficult pregnancy of my 3 but every scar, sleepless, itchy night was all worth it for this love that I feel. Extreme itching during pregnancy isn’t normal, get educated and stand up for you and your baby! We need to spread the word about ICP so we can save lives!