Cholestasis is a condition that affects how your liver works. During pregnancy, it is called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) or obstetric cholestasis (OC).
After your birth
Once you have had your baby, the cholestasis is likely to go away by itself and is unlikely to affect your future health.
Ask your GP to schedule blood tests during your regular 6 to 8 week check-up after giving birth. This will review whether your liver function has returned to normal.
Contraception
You have various contraception options to choose from, including:
- progesterone-only pill (mini-pill)
- contraceptive injection (Depo Provera)
- contraceptive implant (Nexplanon)
- hormonal IUD/coil (Mirena, Levosert or Kyleena)
- copper IUD/coil.
Once your liver blood tests are normal, you can also consider the low dose combined oral contraceptive pill.
Antibiotics
The antibiotics co-amoxiclav (Augmentin) and erythromcin sometimes cause cholestasis.
Do not take them while your liver function is abnormal. They are safe to take once your liver function has returned to normal.
If you need to take antibiotics before your liver returns to normal, tell the doctor prescribing them that you have cholestasis.
Future pregnancies
Because you have had cholestasis, you are more likely to experience it again in future pregnancies.
If you get pregnant in the future, tell your midwife at your first appointment.
Your maternity team will do an early check of your liver enzymes and bile acids (produced by your liver to help you digest food). This will tell them what levels are normal for you. They can then continue to monitor your liver during your pregnancy.
If you notice itching while you are pregnant, tell your midwife. They will carry out additional blood tests to assess your condition.
More information
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) for more information on cholestasis
Contact information
Maternity Triage
Telephone: