Cholestasis of pregnancy is a condition in which the normal flow of bile from the liver is impaired. It most often occurs late in pregnancy, typically during the third trimester, though it can occasionally begin earlier.
The hallmark symptom is intense itching, usually affecting the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, but it may spread to other areas of the body. The itching often becomes worse at night and can be severe enough to interfere with sleep. Other, less common symptoms may include nausea, loss of appetite, and yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice).
For the expectant mother, cholestasis of pregnancy is extremely uncomfortable but generally does not pose a long-term health risk. For the developing baby, however, the condition can be serious. Cholestasis increases the risk of preterm birth and raises the likelihood that meconium (the substance that accumulates in the baby’s intestines before birth) may be released into the amniotic fluid. If meconium is inhaled during delivery, it can cause breathing difficulties. There is also an increased risk of fetal distress or fetal death, particularly later in pregnancy.
Because of these potential complications, doctors often recommend close monitoring and may consider early delivery, commonly around the 37th week of pregnancy, to reduce risks to the baby.
