PSC and pregnancy

[Guest guest]

Has anyone gotten pregnant with PSC? I am 38, but want to have another

baby, does PSC get in the way of that, and if you got pregnant, did it

make the PSC worse, or did it effect the baby? We were going to start

trying this spring, but then in October I was diagnosed so all the

tests, ERCPs ECPs, well it just got pushed to the side. I am really

worried that the PSC will be a problem with having a baby. Any advice

would be great!

Annie

[Guest guest]

Hi Annie,

I was pregnant when I was diagnosed with PSC. Actually, the misdiagnosed me with cholestasis of pregnancy, but I did in fact already have PSC. My experience with this may differ from others but I found I was extremely itchy to the point that I was scratching off my eyebrows and hair on my skin during pregnancy. I took Urso during the pregnancy with no problems. I don't know what the stats are for PSC, but with cholestasis there is a significant increase in delivering a still born baby. I was referred to an OB-GYN for the last few months and we decided to induce labour 3 weeks early to avoid the still born possibility. Even after being induced early, my placenta had already begun to break down, but my baby was born with fewer problems than my first!

My liver enzymes were elevated a bit more than what they are at now (which is still high) during pregnancy. My GI suggested that I not get pregnant again due to potential risks. My hubby has been 'fixed' and we have two beautiful children. I had hoped for more, but am content. I don't know if I would discourage getting pregnant, but rather keep a close watch on it and know the risks going into it.

I hope this helps a bit. If you have any other questions feel free to email me.

Take care,

a, 32, PSC 03

PSC and pregnancy

Has anyone gotten pregnant with PSC? I am 38, but want to have another baby, does PSC get in the way of that, and if you got pregnant, did it make the PSC worse, or did it effect the baby? We were going to start trying this spring, but then in October I was diagnosed so all the tests, ERCPs ECPs, well it just got pushed to the side. I am really worried that the PSC will be a problem with having a baby. Any advice would be great!Annie

[Guest guest]

Annie, I am currently pregnent w/our 2nd child, almost 18 weeks along. I probably had PSC when I got pregnant w/our first, I was diagnosed when he was about 6 months old after numerous labs with elevated Alkaline Phos. levels. Things are going great so far, I'm seen any where from 2-4 weeks since I am high risk, and always get a short ultrasound, just to "take a peek". I go for the "big one" next week for all the measurements, etc. I heard the heartbeat for the first time today, and it is within normal limits for baby. I take Urso, my prenatal vitamins, extra folic acid, and Remicade for my Ulcerative Colitis. Our first was a healthy baby boy, 9lb 6oz, 23 inches, normal delivery (if 30 hrs of labor is normal). I'm tired, but not any more fatigued than before I got pregnant. I've always taken about a 2-3 our nap in the pm, and it helps a lot for me. I never had any stents, and since starting my 2nd

trimester have noticed much less of this uncomfortable pain/tightnesss I'd get in my right side. My UC has acted up a bit, but it did the first time I was pregnant, so I was expecting that. Please let me know if you have any specific questions, I'll try my best to answer. Good Luck! 30, UC 1/01, PSC 5/05 henrysmom2008 wrote: Has anyone gotten pregnant with PSC? I am 38, but want to have another baby, does PSC get in the

way of that, and if you got pregnant, did it make the PSC worse, or did it effect the baby? We were going to start trying this spring, but then in October I was diagnosed so all the tests, ERCPs ECPs, well it just got pushed to the side. I am really worried that the PSC will be a problem with having a baby. Any advice would be great!Annie

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[Guest guest]

Annie,

My liver disease was found 10 weeks after my first child was born, 1980. It was dx as PBC and the only treatment I got was a little bit of prednisone for a long time. I had another baby 4 1/2 years later and everything was normal. He is now 21, 6' 6, strong and healthy. The only thing I didn't have was any ursodial. I remember taking a nap more regularly, and I was able to be a stay at home Mom so that made life easier.

My kids were 22 and 17 when I got my tx. They went on living their own lives around my illness, I didn't want it to get in their way. If you can have all your doctors in the same system, like at a University or large medical center that would be great. That way they can all see your test results and track your pregnancy.

I think you should be fine. We just have to keep living our lives as normally as possible.

Take Care

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[Guest guest]

I was diagnosed with Stage 1 PSC in 1992, and have been asymptomatic

for the last 15 years. I became pregnant, in 1999, had an

uncomplicated pregnancy and gave birth, at age 37, to a healthy girl

who is now 7. My pregnancy was NOT considered high risk, but I had

LFTs drawn at each ob/gyn appointment, and Alk Phos didn't budge from

the 180-200 range. My UC has been in remission since 1980, and didn't

give me any trouble.

I was taking 900 mg/day of Ursodiol, 2g/day of sulfasalazine, 1 mg/day

folic acid which I continued through the pregnancy, along with

multivitamins for pregnancy and a high protein diet, which was

recommended by the birthing class (Bradley method). The sulfasalazine

is OK during pregnancy, and although there really isn't enough

information to be certain, Urso seems to be a very benign medication,

and is given for cholestasis of pregnancy. I now take 1750

mg/urso/day, which is the high dose. I didn't have major issues with

fatigue. I walked to work, though I developed round ligament pain that

limited further exercise, but I worked until the day I went into

labor. Some people who post here find that pregnancy reduces symptoms,

but others find that pregnancy brings them out.

If you are asymptomatic and in early stages, for my part I would say

go for it! If you are symptomatic, discuss it with your

gastroenterologist and your ob/gyn and maybe they can give you a

better idea of what you may be getting into. I realize that I have

been been blessed with relatively good health, but many others here

have had kids in spite of PSC. PSC has some genetic component but its

not a genetic disease for the most part- most people who have PSC have

children who are healthy. We had talked with a genetic counselor as

well, but I think she really didn't know anything about PSC or UC.

Good luck,

Martha (MA)

43, UC 1979, PSC 1992

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: henrysmom2008

> Has anyone gotten pregnant with PSC? I am 38, but want to have

another

> baby, does PSC get in the way of that, and if you got pregnant,

did it

> make the PSC worse, or did it effect the baby? We were going to start

> trying this spring, but then in October I was diagnosed so all the

> tests, ERCPs ECPs, well it just got pushed to the side. I am really

> worried that the PSC will be a problem with having a baby. Any advice

> would be great!

>

> Annie

>

[Guest guest]

Hi I had what they thought was the preg liver diease with both my two

boys one was born at 37weeks and the other was born at 35weeks and

were both fine. My specialist thinks that I had psc and not this preg

liver diease. I found that with my first I got to about 20 weeks preg

and I started to itch really badly and my midwive sent bloods off

somewhere to see if I had anything wrong with my liver. the results

came back when I was 36 weeks preg they had me in hospital and

decided to take him out so that was him born. Itching was still there

for a few weeks and then just went. When I got preg with my second I

started itching really badly from 16 weeks preg and I was put on urso

it really helped until I was about 25weeks preg and then got worse

again so I was given a higher does of urso and so that was the way it

countied until at 35weeks I had very very high blood pressure and

couldn't see and it was decided to get him out as I was at risk of

fitting and having a stroke. They told me that all the itching would

go away after the birth and so would my very high blood pressure. But

the itching carried on and got worse and worse so I was sent for lots

of tests and it came back as psc. I was in hospital with my second

child for about 3 months because of high blood pressure and the

itching so they could keep a close eye on me.I was told that {I can't

spell the name its the diease that begins with p that you get in preg

with high blood pressure}Often happens with the preg liver diease.I

spoke to my specialist and we both decided it would be better for me

to have my tubes clipped so I couldn't have anymore children.I would

speak to your doctor as they will know whats best for you. You may

sail right though your preg with no problems at all or you could end

up like I was but at least if you speak to them you can get a better

idea what you might have to face.good luck and let us all know what

you have. hugs kelly-joy

[Guest guest]

Annie,

I was given the full diagnosis of PSC in 1998, and my first child was born in 2003. I had an absolute dream pregnancy with her. My liver enzymes all went to normal during the pregnancy, and I felt completely healthy for the first time in years. When she was about 5-6 months old, I became pregnant with my 2nd child. Things were a little more difficult during that pregnancy, but still all normal pregnancy issues. I do see a high risk OB because pre-eclampsia can affect the liver. During my third pregnancy I did develop pre-eclampsia and my baby had to be delivered 3 weeks early. He's now a very healthy baby, and I'm pregnant again with my fourth child. Things seem to be going fairly well with this pregnancy, but I'm not quite 4 months pregnant.

If you're considering becoming pregnant, you should talk to your doctor about the risks involved. Like I said, I was told that I was only high risk because of pre-eclampsia. However, I should mention that your chances of becoming pregnant are greater if you do so before the disease progresses. As many in the group know, I was told that I wouldn't be able to get pregnant. (Now that I'm pregnant with my fourth child, I think they were wrong.) Good Luck, and Happy Trying!

,

Congrats on your pregnancy. I didn't realize that there was another PSCer expecting! Our babies will be about a month apart. I'm due Sept. 11th, and if all goes well will have the baby the first week of september. (Scheduled c-sections are great.)

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