How to Treat Cholestasis

During pregnancy some women may experience a severe form of itching occurring mostly on the hands and feet, but can be noticed on the trunk and scalp too. This condition referred to as Cholestasis is a liver disease affecting 1-2 women out of a 1000. Cholestasis occurs most often in the last trimester of pregnancy when the high amounts of pregnancy hormones affect how the gallbladder functions. The gallbladder is a small sac which holds and releases the bile produced by the liver necessary for the breakdown of fats during digestion. The gallbladder may be affected by the high levels of pregnancy hormone and it slows or stops the flow of bile therefore causing a buildup of bile which eventually spills into the bloodstream. It's the buildup of bile in the bloodstream which causes the itching or symptoms such as a dark urine, fatigue, loss of appetite and depression. Women at higher risk of developing Cholestasis include those that are carrying multiples (more than one baby), have had previous liver problems, or if their mother or sister had Cholestasis. Blood tests can be done to test for Cholestasis. The tests check liver function, bile levels and bilirubin. Cholestasis usually gets better once the baby is born, so birth is the only true treatment of this condition, but listed below are some ways to help keep it under control and help relieve the itching.

Instructions

• 1

  Applying topical anti-itch creams to the affected areas can help keep the itch under control. In some severe cases your midwife or doctor may prescribe a cream with corticosteriods.

• 2

  Use medications to decrease the concentration of the bile acids. It's the increase of bile in the body which causes itching, so this step can help to diminish the cause of the itching and make it more bearable.

• 3

  Taking steroids helps the baby's lungs mature in case of early delivery of the baby, because of the increased risk to the unborn baby. The higher levels of maternal bile acids causes stress on the baby's liver because the baby relies on the mother's liver to remove the acids from the blood. So, in some severe cases, the baby may need to be delivered early to prevent fetal distress.

• 4

  Using herbs to support and maintain a healthy liver is important if this condition exists. Keeping the liver functioning normally will help keep this condition from getting too severe. Some good herbs to try include Dandelion Root and Milk Thistle. Both of these are beneficial to the liver and can be drunk daily as tea or taken in capsule form.

• 5

  Having a non-stress test twice a week to make sure the baby is handling the condition all right and is not stressed. A non-stress test monitors the baby heart rate during contractions that the mother may be having, usually Braxton-Hicks contractions. The results of the test will determine what course of action your midwife or doctor thinks is best.

• 6

  Getting regular blood tests to monitor bile levels and liver function. It will be important for your midwife or doctor to check the levels of bile in your blood and how your liver is functioning. This information will further determine whether your baby should be born early or whether it is safe to continue with the pregnancy.