ICP Story:
My ICP Story: ‘The Itch I felt Was Like Ants Crawling Under My Skin’, By Lia McKernan ( ICP Care),
Generally, June is ICP (Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy) Awareness Month. ICP is a medical condition where women experience very severe itching during pregnancy. For instance, PregnancyBeyond has teamed up with ICP Care to raise awareness of this liver disorder. That develops during pregnancy. Generally, in which bile flow is impaired within the liver itself. This condition has been shown to pose a serious risk to the unborn baby.
In today’s post, one mom warns about the dangers of itching during pregnancy.
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September 20, 2016, I had the most terrifying and wondrous day of my life. That day, my son Maximilian was born. Max joining us earthside went absolutely nothing as we’d anticipated. A rare and sometimes dangerous diagnosis. Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy, at 35 weeks gestation landed me an induction 4 weeks before my due date. I started presenting symptoms about a week before my diagnosis. My main symptom is extreme itchiness all over my body, hands, and feet. I had no accompanying rash.
Don’t Miss: ONE HEARTBROKEN MOM SHARES HER ICP STORY
The best way I can describe the itch I felt was like ants crawling under my skin. After a bit of research and I knew in my gut this was ICP, even before my confirmed diagnosis. Untreated ICP pregnancies have a host of risks. Including meconium staining, preterm labor and delivery. Also, fetal distress, maternal hemorrhage, respiratory distress syndrome, and the risk of stillbirth skyrockets to 15%. My husband and I went from hope, joyful anticipation, and relative calm, to fear, worry, and panic. We needed to get this baby out safely, and we needed to do it immediately. All the natural birthing classes, breathing exercises. Even working with our supportive doula could never come close to preparing us for this.
We checked into the hospital on the evening of September 18, 2016. I remember feeling so incredibly relieved to arrive. Because that meant I’d be hooked up to a fetal heart rate monitor until our baby was born. From the moment I suspected my symptoms were from cholestasis to my confirmed diagnosis. To the second before I was hooked up to that monitor. I was a wreck. I would obsess over every movement, every kick I felt or didn’t feel. Also, I was terrified to go to sleep each night. Fearing if I wasn’t awake to constantly monitor movements, our baby may not make it to the morning. But here we were, finally, after what seemed like a lifetime from hearing the word ‘cholestasis’. 40 hours of labor later, with several interventions and little progress, we made the call. Get. this. baby. out. now.
Maximilian William was born via cesarean section Tuesday, September 20, 2016, at 1:51 pm. 7 pounds, 10 ounces – at 36 weeks! Can you believe it? We did it. We made it. And here we are, almost two gorgeous, exhausting, perfect years later. I love you wholly, unconditionally, and ever so fiercely, my miraculous Max. (Find more info. on ICP here)
The ICP Care:
ICP Care is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit determined to help pregnant mothers who experience Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy and to deliver healthy babies. ICP Care’s mission is to provide patient support and education. Raise public awareness, support the advancement of research, and improve health care practices. ICP Care helps to connect, support, educate, and empower those affected by ICP – Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy.
We do this by raising awareness of the condition. Distributing educational materials for patients and medical professionals. Also, creating a supportive community for friends and families of anyone affected by ICP. We hope that one day, all medical professionals and staff will know the proper protocol for treating Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy. Resulting in less suffering and healthier ICP babies. Find them on Facebook and at www.icpcare.org
Join us over at the PB Moms Exclusive Circle. Where we invite healthcare experts to prepare us for life after childbirth and motherhood. Go to: pregnancybeyond.com/exclusive-circle.
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