Call the Midwife star Helen George has opened up about her own painful experience of obstetric cholestasis, after the condition was depicted in her BBC show, Call The Midwife.
The mum-of-two revealed she experienced cholestasis in both of her pregnancies with her children Wren and Lark, and is now using her profile to raise awareness of the ‘painful’ condition, which can sometimes be fatal.
“In 2017 when I gave birth to our daughter Wren, I was diagnosed with this condition. I knew there was a high chance that I would suffer again with my second pregnancy, but I was under the most incredible specialists/doctors/midwives/health worker at Guys and St Thomas’s. So I felt safe,” Helen wrote.
Helen continued: “I would scratch all day and all night, normally on my hands, shoulders, feet but that quickly increased to just bloody everywhere. I was put onto medication (Urso) at around 30 wks.”
The 39-year-old explained that her second pregnancy was “so uncomfortable and painful”, and culminated with pre-term birth, which can be common with cholestasis. But thankfully the care she received ensured her daughter was “healthy and is doing so well”.
But what is cholestasis and what are the symptoms? We’ve rounded up all you need to know…
What is cholestasis of pregnancy?
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), also known as obstetric cholestasis, affects one in 140 pregnant women in the UK, and requires medical attention.
It is a potentially serious liver disorder that can develop on pregnancy, where the bile acids build up in your liver instead of flowing to your gut to help you digest food.
According to the NHS, some studies have found that babies whose mothers have ICP have a higher chance of being born prematurely or stillborn, so some mothers may be offered an induction of labour at any time from 35 weeks, depending on the level of bile acids in their blood.
What are the symptoms of obstetric cholestasis?
The main symptom of cholestasis in pregnancy is itching, usually without a rash. For many women with ICP, the itching is often more noticeable on the hands and feet, but can be all over the body, and is worse at night.
Other symptoms can include dark urine, pale poo, and yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, but this is less common.
The NHS reports that symptoms of ICP typically start from around 30 weeks of pregnancy, but it’s possible to develop the condition as early as eight weeks.
How is cholestasis in pregnancy treated?
If you are diagnosed with ICP, you will have regular liver function tests so your doctor can monitor your condition and measure your bile acid levels. You may also be prescribed creams and medicines to help with the itching.
For more information and support about intrahepatic cholestasis, visit the charity ICP Support.
The information on this page isn’t intended to replace medical advice. Always seek help from your GP or a medical practitioner if you’re concerned about your health.
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