21 Medical Stories That Prove Getting A Second Opinion Can Absolutely Save Your F—ing Life

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“I suspected I developed cholestasis of pregnancy while pregnant with my second child. How I figured it out is kind of a miracle. I followed a woman on IG who became pregnant and lost her child within 36 hours after birth, with no real cause. Five or so years later, she became pregnant again and was closely sharing her experience, as a lot of her account focused on her grief and healing after losing her first child. She started feeling itchy on her hands, arms, and feet, and realized she had felt the same symptoms with her first pregnancy, but dismissed them.”

“This time she went to her doctor, pressed for testing, and eventually was diagnosed with cholestasis of pregnancy, which can have adverse effects on the fetus (including stillbirth and fetal death). Connecting the dots, she realized that she had had this with her first pregnancy and was highly likely the cause of her first child’s passing. 

At 36 weeks, I started feeling itchy hands and feet. I lotioned, ignored it, but it kept getting worse. I kept thinking of the IG lady, though, and I decided to go to my doctor. She thankfully said, ‘Let’s test your liver just to check.’ Turns out I had cholestasis of pregnancy, and likely saved my baby’s life by not waiting. I was induced two days later, and my daughter had no adverse effects.”

—u/saltandvinegar935