What causes obstetric cholestasis?
The causes of obstetric cholestasis are not yet understood. It is thought that genetic and environmental factors (for example, diet, seasonal variations) may be involved. Hormones Some doctors believe that pregnancy-related hormones affect the way your liver works and cause obstetric cholestasis. Estrogen may influence the way the liver deals with a number of substances, including bile salts. Bile is a yellowish fluid that contains waste products and chemicals (known as bile salts). Bile salts usually flow from the liver to your gut to help the digestion of food. In obstetric cholestasis, the flow of bile is reduced. This causes a build-up of bile salts in your body. Some doctors think that it is the effect of this build-up that causes the itching during pregnancy. One study has suggested that one in five women with obstetric cholestasis have very high levels of bile salts (more than four times higher than normal) and that these women may be more likely to have a premature birth. Genet
