Signs & Symptoms of Cholestasis During Pregnancy

The liver disorder cholestasis can occur as a result of pregnancy hormones. Most common during the final trimester of pregnancy, it usually goes away soon after delivery. Cholestasis during pregnancy, also called Intrahepatic cholestasis, interrupts the normal flow of bile in the gallbladder. Bile acids, which normally aid digestion, can build up in the mother̵7;s blood, causing problems for the mother and baby. According to the March of Dimes, less than 1 percent of pregnant women in the United States develop cholestasis.

  1. Severe Itching

    • Some women who have cholestasis experience itching of the hands and feet that worsens at night. More commonly, the itching covers the entire body and can be so severe that it interferes with sleep. Severe fatigue and mild depression can result from lack of sleep. Stretching skin can also cause itching. To rule out cholestasis, liver function should be tested. Doctors sometimes perform a bile acid test as well.

    Jaundice

    • The skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow, due to jaundice, in 10 to 20 percent of cholestasis sufferers. The accumulation of bilirubin the blood also can cause yellow fat deposits on the skin, according to the Merck Manuals.

    Premature Labor

    • Delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy occurs in the majority of women with cholestatis. Premature babies are at risk for a variety of health problems. In the Dec. 14, 2007, issue of the ̶0;World Journal of Gastroenterology,̶1; Dr. Kondrackiene, et al. reported that early onset of itching and high levels of serum bile acid are predictors of increased risk of premature delivery.

    Stillbirth

    • The "British Medical Journal" states that stillbirth happens in approximately 2 percent of cholestasis cases. If the mother̵7;s liver does not properly remove bile acids in the bloodstream, the excess of maternal bile can harm the baby or cause stillbirth.

    Heart Rate Irregularities

    • The unborn baby can develop heart rate problems, due to cholestasis. If monitoring shows a heart rate irregularity, doctors may run further tests. If cholestasis is the cause, the baby may be delivered early to prevent stillbirth.

    Abnormal Urine and Bowel

    • The American Pregnancy Association reports that dark-colored urine, or light-colored bowel movements can signify cholestasis.

    Pain

    • The liver, the body̵7;s largest organ, is located in the upper abdomen behind the rib cage. When the liver is damaged by cholestasis, it can become inflamed. Some pregnant women with cholestasis report pain in the upper right side of the abdomen.

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