An update

I went in on Monday to get the rest of the results. To make it brief, I do indeed have cholestasis of pregnancy. But the midwife told me that they will not induce me until I'm at least 37 weeks pregnant (which I will be on Sunday). Needless to say, we were VERY relieved--I did not like the idea of delivering at 36 weeks.

So, what happens now? Until I have this baby, I will be having twice-weekly NSTs and weekly midwife appointments. On Thursday (February 23), I will be having an amniocentesis performed to check to see how mature baby's lungs are, and if baby's lungs are mature enough, I will be induced the next day on February 24. I'll be close to 38 weeks at that point, which is a much nicer number than 36 weeks. Seriously, when they were talking about inducing me at 36 weeks, I was having visions of NICU and all sorts of horror dancing around in my head.

And for all we know, I could go into labor on my own and not need an induction. My mom had all of us between 37-38 weeks (spontaneously) along with having cholestasis, so wouldn't it be fair that I got her labor genes as part of the package deal? I'd like to hope.

My midwife and I also talked about my birth preferences, and she said there shouldn't be a problem accommodating my wishes.

So, I am very relieved. Yeah, I'm not happy that I did get the dreaded itchy disease after all, but I'm at peace with it. I have to say that this experience forced us to really get cracking on having things ready for baby. We installed the car seat, got some baby stuff, got the pack'n'play from Stephan's older sister, etc. There's more we need to do, like figure out how in the heck we are going to set everything up in this little apartment of ours. We have a little time now, thank goodness.

Thank you everyone for your kind words, it really means a lot to me.

The best laid plans....

Up until recently, my pregnancy has been very textbook and uneventful. I didn't get *too* sick the first trimester (only time I ever threw up was when I got a stomach virus), haven't gained tons of weight, and I've always measured either a week ahead or right on schedule. Heartburn has been a frequent visitor, but what can you do? All in all, a very normal pregnancy.

But then, I started itching. Bad. 

I started itching a few weeks ago at my brother-in-law's mission farewell, but it went away the day after with the help of benadryl and lots of cocoa butter. After that, itching came and went and I tried not to think anything of it--it's normal to itch while pregnant, after all. On Tuesday of this week, I was waking up at night with itching hands and feet (among other things), and it just would not go away no matter what I did. Talk about torture.

This scared me because my mom had this with three of her pregnancies. Ironically, it was the worst with me (I said I was sorry!). We now know that she had obstetric cholestasis, which can be potentially serious. It can be genetic, but we were hoping that I would be lucky and not have it. After all, I didn't get my mom's endometriosis, so surely I would be spared the itchy disease (as I like to call it).

So, I went to my appointment on Thursday, told the midwife about it, and expressed my concerns. She agreed with me, and ordered blood tests to find out. I am very grateful that she took me seriously--I read stories online about women whose health care providers didn't. She also gave me a prescription for Ursodiol.

The results of my liver function test came back last night, and it looks like I may indeed have obstetric cholestasis. I have an appointment on Monday to find out the rest of the results. My midwife told me to be prepared to possibly be induced *gulp* next week. 

I really don't want to be induced, but if it's medically necessary, I will do it. Cholestasis is nothing to sneeze at because it could cause harm to the baby the longer I'm pregnant. Experts in cholestasis recommend inducing no later than 37 weeks. 

All along, I've been hoping and preparing for an unmedicated birth (yes, I am nuts). I've been told that I can still have that, even with an induction. My doula told me that an induction isn't a death sentence. My mom has reminded me that I come from a long line of strong birthing women on both sides, so that should work in my favor. I certainly hope so! 

Even though I'm working through some disappointment and anxiety right now, I am counting my blessings. I'm grateful that my midwives are taking my concerns seriously. I'm grateful for modern medicine that can diagnose and treat these things. I am also grateful that I did my homework in choosing my birth team--I have great midwives, a supportive doula, and Stephan has been wonderful too. I am also very grateful that my little girl is strong and healthy--I went in for a non-stress test yesterday and she tried to punch the sensors off my belly. That's my girl! 

Happy thoughts and prayers are welcome right now. I will keep you posted on what happens. We will hopefully know for sure on Monday.