Understanding Obstetric CholestasisObstetric cholestasis is a rare liver condition during pregnancy that causes severe itching. Very little is known about what causes OC, however it has a lot to do with how bile from liver is used by the body. The liver produces bile in order to neutralize and break down fats during digestion. Under normal circumstances, bile from the liver flows into the intestines via the tube-like bile duct. In the case of OC, there is less flow of bile, allowing bile salts to accumulate in different parts of the body. According to some experts, female reproductive hormones progesterone and estrogen may have a lot to do with how the liver works during pregnancy, and women who are sensitive to high amounts of these hormones can experience untoward effects such as OC. OC is not a critical complication, but it is quite uncomfortable for the mother. Itching can occur on the palms of one’s hands, soles of feet, and other body parts. It can disrupt sleep and can cause the mother’s skin to become inflamed. One crucial thing to watch out for is the condition’s interference with the blood clotting abilities of the mother. An expectant mother’s blood work will need careful detail before, during and after labor and delivery to ensure that she does not bleed excessively. The condition does not have any direct effect on the fetus, neither will it affect a child who is already born. A doctor may prescribe anti-itch and soothing creams to help with the inflammation and pruritus, but the condition only disappears fully once the mother has given birth and her hormone levels return to normal. Read more of our articles on pregnancy complications
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