First, I want to say how grateful I am for the ICP Care 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The information I learned during my own pregnancy helped guide my conversations with my providers and ultimately led to a healthy 37-week delivery of my baby girl, Adelyn.

I was diagnosed with Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP) at 23 weeks gestation. I was admitted to the hospital for an unrelated medical issue and my blood work revealed elevated liver enzymes. It was during my hospitalization I started having intense, uncomfortable itching unlike anything I had ever experienced before. I am a nurse and I remembered learning about itching hands and feet in pregnancy but couldn’t remember much more than that. A quick internet search led me to find information about ICP. I joined the ICP Care Facebook support group that evening and from there had a conversation with my doctor the next morning. I was diagnosed with my first lab draw which initiated the process to have my pregnancy monitored more closely.

I am grateful to have found the information I did through the ICP Care website and Facebook support group – it helped me to ask appropriate questions and understand what exactly was needed for my care. I am happy to have joined this team of wonderful volunteers – it’s a blessing to help guide other itchy moms to accurate information so that they too may have successful, healthy deliveries.