"a b**** of an itch"
Shocking choice of words, right? Yeah, I know. At least I didn't actually say it - don't freak out already! However, this is the best description I have found other than "misery", "I want to rip my skin off", "I'd like some sand paper...NOW", etc.
If you want to read more about this craziness they call Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, here's a couple of links...
here,
here,
or read about treatment here {be sure to read all three pages}.
To sum it up, this is my THIRD pregnancy and THIRD time with ICP. It's a liver condition where your liver stops functioning correctly, thus building up bile acids in your bloodstream. This causes severe itching. There is no risk to the mom - other than pure torment - and the risk for the baby is stillbirth.
With Silas, I had no idea what I was dealing with. I never even mentioned the itching to my doctor because I just didn't. I felt stupid and never brought it up. When I finally came to the point of insanity and did some research on my own regarding why I was itching, I read about cholestasis, immediately called the hospital, went to L&D triage, had some blood work and was induced immediately. 37 weeks, 3 days.
With Eli, I was monitored closely. My levels didn't rise until later in my third trimester. I was induced at 37 weeks.
This time around, my itching started in my second trimester, which isn't super common. Technically, I still have 13 weeks left and I'm going out of my mind insane already. My doctor called me today after viewing my most recent lab work. I definitely have icp again and we are definitely inducing at 36 or 37 weeks, possibly sooner depending on how high the bile acids in my bloodstream get. This means I now have 9 weeks to go before baby Jay arrives. Luckily, my doctor prescribed a new prescription today that should help more than the antihistamines I've been taking. I'm crossing my fingers that this helps. I haven't been able to take anything during the day because the meds make me so drowsy I can't function. My only relief is at night. Now, I'm hoping this will make things a little easier.
So, that's the short of it. Fun stuff, right?
On a less serious topic, I think my child has seriously keen sense of smell. Good thing his last name is "Sniff". So, every night he knows what I made for dinner before walking down the stairs. I'll call the boys down and Silas will whisper to Eli, "We're having pancakes", "We're having eggs", "We're having spaghetti"... all followed by, "I know, because I can smell it." He walks into the kitchen and applauds his amazing ability. He is always right. I mean, do pancakes even have a smell? I understand certain foods, like bacon or hamburgers or cookies... but eggs? Pancakes? Good grief kid!
Tonight was pancake night because let's face it - it's fast, it's easy and I'm pregnant. Dinner requires minimal effort right now.
This afternoon I bought some sidewalk chalk for the boys to play with. I needed a distraction while I gave them haircuts. Oh, and bubbles - they took turns blowing bubbles while I cut their hair and the other one drew pictures. {My boys hate haircuts, so anything that distracts is good.} I love Eli's picture of our family and Silas' math. My favorite part is the 3's are backwards!
If you want to read more about this craziness they call Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, here's a couple of links...
here,
here,
or read about treatment here {be sure to read all three pages}.
To sum it up, this is my THIRD pregnancy and THIRD time with ICP. It's a liver condition where your liver stops functioning correctly, thus building up bile acids in your bloodstream. This causes severe itching. There is no risk to the mom - other than pure torment - and the risk for the baby is stillbirth.
With Silas, I had no idea what I was dealing with. I never even mentioned the itching to my doctor because I just didn't. I felt stupid and never brought it up. When I finally came to the point of insanity and did some research on my own regarding why I was itching, I read about cholestasis, immediately called the hospital, went to L&D triage, had some blood work and was induced immediately. 37 weeks, 3 days.
With Eli, I was monitored closely. My levels didn't rise until later in my third trimester. I was induced at 37 weeks.
This time around, my itching started in my second trimester, which isn't super common. Technically, I still have 13 weeks left and I'm going out of my mind insane already. My doctor called me today after viewing my most recent lab work. I definitely have icp again and we are definitely inducing at 36 or 37 weeks, possibly sooner depending on how high the bile acids in my bloodstream get. This means I now have 9 weeks to go before baby Jay arrives. Luckily, my doctor prescribed a new prescription today that should help more than the antihistamines I've been taking. I'm crossing my fingers that this helps. I haven't been able to take anything during the day because the meds make me so drowsy I can't function. My only relief is at night. Now, I'm hoping this will make things a little easier.
So, that's the short of it. Fun stuff, right?
 |
| alllmost 27 weeks. |
 |
| a tiny glimpse of what I'm dealing with. It gets much worse. |
On a less serious topic, I think my child has seriously keen sense of smell. Good thing his last name is "Sniff". So, every night he knows what I made for dinner before walking down the stairs. I'll call the boys down and Silas will whisper to Eli, "We're having pancakes", "We're having eggs", "We're having spaghetti"... all followed by, "I know, because I can smell it." He walks into the kitchen and applauds his amazing ability. He is always right. I mean, do pancakes even have a smell? I understand certain foods, like bacon or hamburgers or cookies... but eggs? Pancakes? Good grief kid!
Tonight was pancake night because let's face it - it's fast, it's easy and I'm pregnant. Dinner requires minimal effort right now.
This afternoon I bought some sidewalk chalk for the boys to play with. I needed a distraction while I gave them haircuts. Oh, and bubbles - they took turns blowing bubbles while I cut their hair and the other one drew pictures. {My boys hate haircuts, so anything that distracts is good.} I love Eli's picture of our family and Silas' math. My favorite part is the 3's are backwards!
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