Hi! My name is Tiffany Cyr. I am a very proud mama to my handsome little boy – Hudson and proud daughter, granddaughter, and wife of Canadian Race Car Driver Patrick Cyr. My journey with Intrahepatic cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP) was a fast and traumatic one, however the experience I had provided me the passion and education to help others who could be impacted by ICP (not just moms-to-be but grandmothers, siblings, the in-laws, etc).

I had my experience with Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy this past year with my son. It started when I was about 12 weeks pregnant with sickness, vomiting, being tired, I couldn’t eat … but it wasn’t just “morning sickness” it kept getting worse and worse until Christmas day 2022 where I had an itch that just wouldn’t go away. I thought it might have been a lack of body lotion, however, it kept getting worse. My belly, arms, legs, chest, palms of my hands and my feet and ankles that could not be helped with any amount of lotion or itching. I itched until I was bleeding on my legs and chest. The itch was so bad I had to cut my nails back and wear socks on my hands and feet! My itch wouldn’t leave all day; however, the night seemed to be the worst. On December 27th I called my OB. I knew this wasn’t normal. They didn’t hesitate and told me to get to the nearest hospital to get blood work done and keep checking to make sure the baby was moving.

I went to the hospital and was told that I shouldn’t worry, but my baby was at risk of being a still born and my OB would have more information for me once the blood test confirmed it. The hospital started me on Urso and sent me on my way. All I could think to myself was this acid sickness I’ve had for months and was told to take Pepcid AC.

I knew something was wrong from the get go of my illness. I was told I would need to wait till my results came in. Well, I didn’t. I called that hospital every day three times a day until December 31st when they confirmed it was positive for ICP. Diagnosed at 34 weeks – I took my last “happy” pregnancy picture. I started my journey of taking myself to the hospital when I didn’t feel any movement and received my weekly two NST tests. My new year was just not the same entering into 2023. On January 12th I went for my scheduled NST monitoring test at 10:30am and at 10:40am I was asked if I had anything scheduled for the day. I said no, not really thinking anything of it. Within minutes the doctor told me they needed to induce me. At 10:47am I was induced.

My son was born 16 hours later on Friday the 13th at 37 weeks on the dot. He was 6lbs 1oz. The next morning the doctors told me the reason they induced was because they felt he would not have made it. Scariest thing I heard or experienced. Soon after within 24 hours I was diagnosed with Postpartum Preeclampsia. Needless to say my son and myself were in and out of the hospital and doctors’ appointments for the next 13 days to take care of his jaundice and my blood pressure. Fast forward to August 2023 and we are both perfectly healthy doing great! He is just a happy baby who loves his walks and petting his kitty when he isn’t hanging out in his jolly jumper!

Looking back on my pregnancy I wish I knew about ICP earlier. I wish I knew what some of the signs of ICP were. I watched my family and husband sad at a time that should have been joyful. I remember my family being scared to ask me if I felt movement, watching my husband so helpless, but so supportive, having my 87-year-old grandmother rub my back as I sat in front of a toilet and slept because the bed was just too far.

My mission is to educate anyone who is willing to listen.