What is cholestasis? Helen George addresses painful pregnancy disorder
Helen George has opened up about the "painful" condition called cholestasis that she suffered with during pregnancy.
The Call the Midwife star was diagnosed with the serious liver disorder while expecting her second child, Lark, and says she suffered months of anxiety in the run up to the birth.
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a potentially serious liver disorder that can develop in pregnancy and affects around one in 140 pregnant women in the UK.
The condition stops the proper flow of bile acids from the liver to the gut to help with the digestion of food, causing a harmful build up in the body instead.
One of the symptoms of ICP is itching and it can cause premature births, both of which George said she experienced.
Read more: Pregnant celebrity? Time to go nude
“In 2017 when I gave birth to our daughter Wren, I was diagnosed with this condition,” she wrote in a post on Instagram.
“I knew there was a high chance that I would suffer again with my second pregnancy, but I was under the most incredible specialists/doctors/midwives/health worker at Guys and St Thomas’s.
“So I felt safe.”
The actor, who plays nurse Trixie Franklin in Call The Midwife, said she tried “everything” to stop the itching, but to no avail which she found “infuriating.”
“I have to say this pregnancy was so uncomfortable and painful. I thought the second would be easier but it really wasn’t,” she said.
George had to undergo an emergency caesarean section but to her relief, her daughter was born healthy and is doing “so well”.
“I was lucky, but more so, well looked after. ICP support were there every step of the way to help me with whatever questions I had,” she said.
She now wants to encourage others to be aware of the condition and seek help if you have any concerns.
“Please, if you are worried you may have cholestasis in pregnancy or have been diagnosed and need any advice, do reach out to them," she continues.
Read more: Who is Rihanna's boyfriend A$AP Rocky?
The actor has chosen to open up about her own experiences after the serious liver disorder featured on the BBC drama and now wants to raise awareness about the condition.
“Spreading the word about this sometimes fatal condition is really important to me," she wrote. "I was over the moon that Call the Midwife tackled the subject.”
George already shares a daughter, Wren Ivy, born in September 2017, with her partner, series co-star Jack Ashton.
Since sharing her post about ICP, George has been inundated with messages of support, many from parents thanking her for shining a light on the condition.
"I have had two ICP babies," one user wrote. "You are the only celebrity I know of who has had it. Thanks for talking about your experience and increasing awareness."
"It was the first time I’ve ever seen it talked about on a show, I suffered with it at the end of my first (induced as such high levels) and with my 2nd I had it from 12 weeks was just awful. Needs to be more awareness surrounding just how it affects people mentally as well as physically," another user agreed.
"I had this as well with both of my pregnancies! It was the most excruciating time for me and resulted in two preterm babies. Thank you for bringing awareness," another mother commented.
Watch: Rihanna reveals how pregnancy has changed her beauty habits
What is cholestasis?
According to the NHS Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a potentially serious liver disorder that can develop in pregnancy.
While normally bile acids flow from your liver to your gut to help you digest food, with ICP, the bile acids do not flow properly and build up in your body instead.
If you have had ICP in a previous pregnancy, you have a high chance of developing it again in another pregnancy.
The NHS says some studies have found that babies whose mothers have ICP have a higher chance of being born prematurely or stillborn and because of this potential link mothers with the condition may be offered an induction.
Mums-to-be with ICP are often advised to give birth in hospital under a consultant-led maternity team.
While there is no cure for ICP, the condition should clear once the baby has been delivered.
Read more: Rihanna's not the only A-list pregnancy in celeb baby boom
Symptoms of ICP
The NHS says the main symptom of ICP is itching, usually without a rash.
For many women with ICP, the itching is often:more noticeable on the hands and feet, but can be all over the body and is often worse at night.
Other symptoms can include: dark urine, pale poo, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) but this is less common.
While symptoms of ICP typically start from around 30 weeks of pregnancy, some women develop the condition as early as 8 weeks.
The NHS advises you speak to your midwife or GP if you suffer from itching during pregnancy, anywhere on your body, but particularly on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet as feeling itchy like this can be a sign of ICP and needs to be checked.
Treatment of ICP
Those diagnosed with ICP will have regular liver function tests so doctors can monitor the condition.
Creams, such as aqueous cream with menthol, are safe to use in pregnancy and can provide some relief from itching.
There are some medicines, such as ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), that help reduce bile acids and ease itching.
UDCA is considered safe to take in pregnancy, although it is prescribed on what is known as an "informed consent" basis as it has not been properly tested in pregnancy.
Further help
The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG) has more information about obstetric cholestasis, including what it means for you and your baby, and the treatment that's available.
You can also get information about ICP from the British Liver Trust.
The charity ICP Support provides information about ICP.
Additional reporting PA.
