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Some women experience a very severe itching in late pregnancy. The most common cause of this is cholestasis, a common liver disease that only happens in pregnancy. 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. Cholestasis is more common in the last trimester of pregnancy when hormones are at their peak, but it usually goes away within a few days after delivery. According to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cholestasis occurs in about 1 out of 1,000 pregnancies but is more common in Swedish and Chilean ethnic groups. Cholestasis is sometimes referred to as extrahepatic cholestasis which occurs outside the liver, intrahepatic cholestasis which occurs inside the liver, or obstetric cholestasis.

What causes Cholestasis of pregnancy ?

Pregnancy hormones affect gallbladder function, resulting in slowing or stopping the flow of bile. The gallbladder holds bile that is produced in the liver, which is necessary in the breakdown of fats in digestion. When the bile flow is stopped or slowed down, this causes a build up of bile acids in the liver which can spill into the bloodstream.

What are the symptoms of Cholestasis of pregnancy?

* Itching, particularly on the hands and feet (often is the only symptom noticed)
* Dark urine color
* Light coloring of bowel movements
* Fatigue or exhaustion
* Loss of appetite
* Depression

Less common symptoms include:

* Jaundice (yellow coloring of skin, eyes, and mucous membranes)
* Upper-Right Quadrant Pain
* Nausea

Who is at risk for Cholestasis of pregnancy ?

1 to 2 pregnancies in 1000 are affected by cholestasis. The following women have a higher risk of getting cholestasis during pregnancy:

* Women carrying multiples
* Women who have previous liver damage
* Women whose mother or sisters had Cholestasis

How is Cholestasis of pregnancy diagnosed ?

A diagnosis of cholestasis can be made by doing a complete medical history, physical examination, and blood tests that evaluate liver function, bile acids, and bilirubin.

How will the baby be affected if the mother is diagnosed with Cholestasis ?

Cholestasis may increase the risks for fetal distress, preterm birth, or stillbirth. A developing baby relies on the mother’s liver to remove bile acids from the blood; therefore, the elevated levels of maternal bile cause stress on the baby’s liver. Women with cholestasis should be monitored closely and serious consideration should be given to inducing labor once the baby’s lungs have reached maturity.

What is the treatment for Cholestasis of pregnancy ?

The treatment goals for cholestasis of pregnancy are to relieve itching. Some treatment options include:

* Topical anti-itch medications or medication with corticosteroids
* Medication to decrease the concentration of bile acids such as ursodeoxycholic acid
* Cold baths and ice water slow down the flow of blood in the body by decreasing it’s temperature
* Dexamethansone is a steroid that increases the maturity of the baby’s lungs
* Vitamin K supplements administered to the mother before delivery and again once the baby is born to prevent intracranial hemorrhaging
* Dandelion Root and Milk Thistle are natural substances that are beneficial to the liver
* Bi-weekly non-stress tests which involve fetal heart monitoring and contraction recordings
* Regular blood tests monitoring both bile serum levels and liver function

Treatment for cholestasis of pregnancy needs to be determined by your physician who will take the following criteria into consideration:

* Your pregnancy, overall health, and medical history
* The extent of the disease
* Your tolerance of specific medications, procedures, or therapies
* Expectations for the course of the disease
* Your opinion or preference

Treatments that should not be used for Cholestasis include:

* Antihistamines
* Aveeno and Oatmeal Bath

*There are conflicting views on using the medication Cholestyramine for treatment of cholestasis. In the past, this medication was readily used to treat this condition, but some studies have shown that Cholestyramine may not be as effective as other treatments and potentially has some adverse side effects such as blocking essential vitamins like Vitamin K (a vitamin that is already deficient in women with cholestasis).
What are the chances of the mother getting Cholestasis in another pregnancy?

Whether or not a woman will get cholestasis in future pregnancies is debatable. However, some sources claim that women who have had cholestasis of pregnancy have up to a 90% chance of having this repeat in future pregnancies.