ICP, PUPPPS, and other pregnancy news

I was originally going to e-mail out an update, but figured this was an easier way to share all of the info with inquiring minds. 

First of all, a little refresher, (if you've been updated lately, you can skip down to the paragraph starting with "Then, last week"), back in December, while I was in the hospital because of a gallbladder attack, I was diagnosed with Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy.  This was NO surprise, as I've had it with each previous pregnancy.  In simple terms, the high amounts of hormones in my pregnant body cause my liver to malfuntion and bile isn't secreted properly.  Thus, bile backs up into my blood stream and causes intense itching, mainly on my hands/forearms and feet/lower legs.  And by intense, I mean that I want to rip off my skin and scratch my bones.  The main complication this causes is increased risk of stillbirth in the last month of pregnancy.  Because of this risk, my babies come a little earlier than most.  The good news is that there is a medication that lowers the bile levels in my bloodstream and reduces the risk to the baby.  So, upon diagnosis, I started the medication and moved on.

While things were far from perfect, (including a couple of gallbladder attacks, drastically increased bile acid levels, and adjustments to my medication), we finally found a balance that worked.  I was relieved to see my bile acids drop WAY down in early Februrary.  At that point, we scheduled a c-sec for March 24.

Then, last week, I developed a new symptom--a severely itchy, red rash all over my uncomfortably-stretched-belly.  I thought it might have been a reaction to some lotion I used the night before, but it turned out to be PUPPPS, which is an acronym for something, but basically means "itchy rash caused by being pregnant".  This complication is not at all harmful to the baby, but severely annoying to the mother--as you itch like crazy ALL THE TIME.  And, there isn't really much I can do about the rash.  I've been trying pine tar soap and some essential oils, which seem to be helping a bit--but the itching can still reach killer levels pretty quickly!  I'm just glad I know the difference between the itching that's bad for my baby and the surface/rash itching that doesn't indicate harm to my child.  I spent last weekend in a little bit of a funk trying to deal with the crazy itching that comes on at all hours of the day and night.  Anyway, for those who are keeping count, I have now been diagnosed with TWO severe-itch-causing pregnancy issues.  Lovely.

Today, I had another non-stress test and appointment with my dr.  The non-stress test, (which happens weekly at this point), went great--as it has for the past few weeks.  But, my bile acids are up again.  They're not super high, but high enough to make us think this baby may need to come sooner than later.  So, this afternoon, I had the first of two steroid shots that will help my baby's lungs mature, so he'll be able to come anytime in the next few weeks.  I will have the second one tomorrow.  If my bile acids continue to rise, there is a possibility that this baby may come in about a week and a half.  If they hover where they are, I have an ultrasound scheduled for March 16--at which point the radiologist will determine whether it's time for this little one to arrive.  (Or my dr. did mention if *I* was done by then, I could still deliver on the 18th.  I'm done now--so I doubt I'll have a sudden change of mind 2 weeks from now...)  I will have an NST in the hospital on the morning of March 18 and deliver that afternoon.  While it is still possible that I will make it to the 24th, I honestly don't think that's going to happen. 

So--there, in a very large nutshell, is the update.  I'll probably post again after my appointment next week--or sooner if any changes happen before then.  I guess the good part of all of this is that I'm feeling renewed energy and motivation to get everything on my list done in the next week or so to make sure we're ready whenever this little guy is!

SURPRISE!!!

Last night, I arrived at the church for our Young Women's activity about 10 minutes late.  I'm not usually that late...but last night dinner somehow took longer than usual.  I thought about going with my post-nap hair as-is and with pieces of chicken from dinner still stuck in my teeth.  But, I decided to take a few extra minutes to brush my second-day-hair back into place in its ponytail.  It wasn't fancy, but it looked a ton better than it did before.  And, I flossed and brushed my teeth.  I put on a stained maternity shirt and put a thin non-maternity hoodie over the top.  I figured if I didn't take off the hoodie, no one would ever see the stain.  It was fine--we were only having game night.  Looking back, I'm glad I took those few extra minutes!

After our opening exercises, I started talking to a few people and making my way to the door.  During this time, I found out that the Mia Maids were going to be judges for the Laurel's "Iron Chef" activity.  A few of my girls hurried me along and we went down the hall to start our games--and await the moment we'd be called back in to judge the dishes.

We got into a fun and rousing game of Apples to Apples.  When I've played before, we would say that the green apple cards we collected during the game described us...but, playing with the girls, they said the cards they collected described their future husbands.  I loved that twist on the game! :)  After a little while, the YW President, Jenni, came into to tell us that they were ready for us.  We cleaned up the game and the girls headed down the hall while I had a quick conversation with Jenni about an upcoming fireside.  We walked down the hall and opened the door to the YW room.  As I looked inside, my first impression was, "Why did they decorate Iron Chef night with onesies?" And just then, everyone in the room yelled, "SURPRISE!!!"  There was no Iron Chef--it was a baby shower for me!  I was completely blown away.  Like COMPLETELY.  (My next thought was, "This is SO going on facebook!" LOL)

I don't think I could do much more than stand there in shock for a while. I don't think I can accurately describe how completely surprised I was.  Honestly, I felt so loved and appreciated by all of the YW, the other leaders, and all of the other women who came to participate.  Not sure if anyone could tell, but I was almost in tears. Through the course of the evening, I found out that this had been in the works for a couple of weeks--and, to top it all off, all of the YW had known it was happening for about that long and NO ONE spilled the beans!  (I'm glad they didn't. People who know me know that I LOVE a good surprise--and that it's very hard to surprise me. In fact, when I told my mom, she gave them major kudos for keeping it from me--since I usually tend to catch on to things...)  The Laurels worked on the decorations, (they decorated those onesies and sewed a cute bunting), the Mia Maids planned the game, and the Beehives planned the food.  I absolutely love that the girls were involved with it all.  (Can you tell how much I love the YW in our ward?) :)

It was a perfect shower.  For very personal reasons, the surprise shower was JUST what I needed right now.  I was the recipient of many generous and thoughtful gifts for this little boy. I am so blessed to be in such a great ward with such wonderful friends.  I don't think they realize that they truly made my month!  Just thinking about their thoughtfulness and love will definitely carry me through these remaining weeks.  I am so grateful for all of the hard work (and secret-keeping) that went into such a fantastic event.