To relieve severe itching, your pregnancy care provider may recommend
Taking ursodiol (Actigall, Urso, Urso Forte), a prescription medicine that lowers the quantity of bile in your blood. Other itching-relieving drugs may also be available.
Soak itchy regions in cool or lukewarm water to relieve itching.
Diagnosis
Your pregnancy care provider will do the following to diagnose cholestasis during pregnancy:
Lifestyle and home remedies
Home remedies may not offer much relief for itching due to cholestasis of pregnancy. But it doesn't hurt to try these soothing tips:
Cool baths, which may make the itching feel less intense for some women
Oatmeal baths, creams or lotions, which may soothe the skin
Icing a particularly itchy patch of skin, which may temporarily reduce the itch
Alternative medicine
Research into effective alternative therapies for treating cholestasis of pregnancy is lacking, so pregnancy care providers generally don't recommend them for this condition.
Several studies have examined whether the supplement S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) might ease itching related to cholestasis of pregnancy. However, data is conflicting. When compared with ursodiol in preliminary trials, SAMe didn't work as well. It may be safe when used for a short while during the third trimester. However, the risks to mother and baby aren't well-known, and typically, this medication isn't recommended.
The safety of other alternative therapies hasn't been confirmed. Always check with your doctor or health care provider before trying an alternative therapy, especially if you're pregnant.
Preparing for your appointment
It's a good idea to be well-prepared for your appointment with your obstetrician or pregnancy care provider. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your pregnancy care provider.
What you can do
To prepare for your appointment:
Write down any symptoms you're experiencing. Include all of your symptoms, even if you don't think they're related.
Make a list of any medications, vitamins and other supplements you take. Write down doses and how often you take them.
Have a family member or close friend accompany you, if possible. You may be given a lot of information at your visit, and it can be difficult to remember everything.
Take a notebook or notepad with you. Use it to write down important information during your visit.
Think about what questions you'll ask. Write them down so you won't forget important points you want to cover.
For cholestasis of pregnancy, some basic questions to ask your pregnancy care provider include:
What is likely causing my symptoms?
Is my condition mild or severe?
How does my condition affect the baby?
What is the best course of action?
What kinds of tests do I need?
What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?
Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
Will it be necessary to induce early labor?
Do you have any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend visiting?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
To better understand your condition, your pregnancy care provider might ask several questions, such as:
What symptoms are you experiencing?
How long have you been experiencing symptoms?
How severe are your symptoms?
Has your baby been active?
What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
Have you been diagnosed with cholestasis during any previous pregnancies?
Cholestasis of pregnancy can be a worrisome diagnosis. Work with your pregnancy care provider to ensure that you and your baby receive the
Inquire about your symptoms and medical background.
Conduct a physical examination.
Order blood tests to determine the health of your liver and the amount of bile salts in your blood.
best possible care for this condition
To relieve severe itching, your pregnancy care provider may recommend: Taking ursodiol (Actigall, Urso, Urso Forte), a prescription medicine that lowers the quantity of bile in your blood. Other itching-relieving drugs may also be available.
Soak itchy regions in cool or lukewarm water to relieve itching.