Pregnancy ups and downs

Pretty much a 1 week and 1 day ago

Yesterday I had my doctor’s appointment, and I told my Doctor that the itching is getting worse and that pretty much nothing helps. I did take Benadryl the night before and it seemed to take the edge off a bit. But he had my blood screened for my gallbladder and liver functions, to see if I have Cholestasis. Well I do and that is why I am itching because Cholestasis of pregnancy is a condition in which the normal flow of bile in the gallbladder is affected by the high amounts of pregnancy hormones. I have the intrahepatic cholestasis, which occurs in the liver. Pretty much my blood has bile in it and my liver isn't cleaning it out and I have it in my blood and so that is why I feel like I need to rip off my skin in order to get to my itch. This is a huge hazard for this little missy I am carrying because she depends on my liver to remove bile acids from the blood and when it doesn't it takes it to the baby and then puts stress on the babies liver. If it isn't well maintained and kept under control it can result in preterm labor, fetal distress and stillbirth. So to say the least it is pretty serious, and usually if levels can't be controlled with medication the only option is to deliver. My doctor would like me to hopefully make it to 39 weeks, which is just 2 weeks and 1 day away. He wants her to get the most out of being inside me as she can until he is more than sure her lungs will be well developed without having to do testing. I have been put on a medication that should help decrease the amount of bile in my bloodstream and help my gallbladder function more normally. The success rate of this medication is fairly high so I have hopes that I can make it to 39 weeks without complications or harm to the baby. This pregnancy is now going to be monitored more closely and after Monday I start going in twice a week for NST (non-stress testing). Monday I have an ultrasound and not only to make sure I can hopefully try for a VBAC but to also make sure this little missy is doing just fine. I also will be having my blood drawn to make sure my levels are fine. I was told to monitor her movement closely so pretty much every few hours I sit to make sure she moves at least 10 times in an hour and she normally achieves that in the first 15-20 minutes of sitting still. They didn't tell me to do this every few hours but for my sanity and reassurance that is what I am doing.

A few days ago I was just ready for her to come out. But really if she can stay in two more weeks and remain healthy in there then that is what I want. I don't want complications for her at all, and as long as she is thriving inside then that is where she needs to stay for the time being. Also with this medication helping to keep the bile out of my blood, the itching should decrease, and make life more bearable for me. So other than this bump in the road things are just fine, and hopefully remain just fine.

I have been stressed lately about the birth and trying to achieve a VBAC and my lack of faith in the competency of the staff at the hospital due to recent happenings (that don't involve me). At this point I just need to not think about it and be reminded of the horrible things that can go wrong. I have already been in tears over it and just want to think positive and realize if things do get hairy that I don't want them intervening and just flying us out. But really I just don't want to talk about it, because someone always has a story to share that is not helpful with my stress levels. But I have to also realize there are healthy happy babies born here often, and as long as she can remain in good health inside me as long as possible then her chances of needing medical care outside the womb decrease, and that is what I want. If I have to have a repeat cesarean then so be it, my end goal is for a healthy baby and mom and I will take the cost of a repeat cesarean over complications any day.