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!