Hi all

It has been 3 years since I completed my own 9 month challenge of giving up 3 different yummy treats and I was so thankful of what was raised for ICP Support as a result. I may not have a new born or be pregnant but it remains a really important charity to our family as I hope it will continue to support research which helps develop a better understanding of the short and long term impact of ICP / OC on Mum’s as well as ICP babies and also continue fighting for changes to guidance driven by research. I also hope that should one day my children decide to have their own babies (hopefully a very long time yet) ICP Support will be around to offer the information, advice and emotional support that it currently gives lots of people impacted by this condition in pregnancy.

As my passion is for the next generation to be supported by this brilliant little charity I am turning to my very own Little Itches (Rosie and Jacob) to take on this task

It is ICP Supports 30th anniversary this year so Rosie and Jacob will be using the month of August 2021 to complete the following 30 challenges. Rosie in particular is excited about doing this for charity and the idea that it may help others so please if you can support them by donating to ICP Support.

1. Tidy up for 30 minutes.

2. Walk 30 miles within the month of August. 

3. Do 30 star jumps. 

4. Stay silent for 30 minutes.

5. Write 30 letters / draw pictures and send to family or friends to make them smile. 

6. Pick up 30 bits of litter and put them in the bin. 

7. Bake 30 biscuits or cakes and give them away to others.

8. Read for 30 minutes. 

9. Score 30 goals.

10. Say thank you to Kettering General Hospital where Jacob was born in May 2017. 

11. Give away 30 things to a charity shop.

12. Do yoga for 30 minutes.

13. Find 30 items in a scavenger hunt. 

14. Do 30 tricks on the trampoline. 

15. Help prepare Afternoon tea for ICP for 30 people.

16. Build a Lego tower 30 bricks high. 

17. Choose 30 items to donate to the local food bank.

18. Do 30 jobs for other people.

19. Eat 30 different types of fruit or vegetables.

20. Say Thank you to Northampton General Hospital where Rosie was born in August 2015.

21. Run around the garden 30 times.

22. Find 30 different plants.

23. Count to 30.

24. Put away 30 items of clothing.

25. Thank 30 different key workers for all their hard work.

26. Find 30 things that can be recycled and put them in the correct bin. 

27. Spot 30 birds.

28. Do 30 minutes of disco dancing.

29. Do a puzzle with at least 30 pieces. 

30. Write a letter to ICP support to thank them for all they do.

A little reminder why ICP Support is an important charity to our family: 

I was diagnosed with Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), also known as obstetric cholestasis (OC) when pregnant with both Rosie and Jacob. We want to help build awareness of the condition while also helping to raise money for a charity that supports those affected and undertakes research to protect future babies. ICP can lead to premature labour and sadly in some cases stillbirth. The main symptom of ICP is itching which can be mild or severe, each experience is different. I had never heard of ICP before my diagnosis so it is really important more awareness is raised and more is learnt about the impact of the condition. 

When pregnant with Rosie I had very severe itching on my hands and feet so much so I scratched until my skin was raw and broken and it kept me up at night. I had not heard of ICP so didn’t think to mention it to my Midwife until it was really bad, I simply thought it was heat rash. I was diagnosed on a Friday at nearly 38 weeks and was booked in to be induced the following Monday due to the risks ICP presented to Rosie.

With Jacob I was already aware of the symptoms of ICP and that it’s over 80% chance to reoccur in future pregnancies if you have had it previously. This time my itching was all over my body but only mild and I was diagnosed with ICP at about 35 weeks pregnant. My symptoms were managed by support from various wonderful NHS staff and I was able to manage my worries by the support and info available through ICP Support website and Facebook group. Again due to the risks Jacob’s birth was brought forward and he was born at 37 weeks and 3 days. Although it’s not 100% confirmed, research suggests that Jacobs breathing difficulties and reason he had to fight for his life on a ventilator is connected to me having ICP. Thankfully with the help of lots of amazing NHS staff, medicine and equipment he was discharged home from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit after 9 days.

I are very fortunate that both my babies were born alive and I treasure them every day because this is sadly not the case for everyone with ICP so I hope to raise awareness of the condition and also raise money to help fund further research. More research may help Rosie one day because the condition is known to be passed down to children. It could even be passed down from Jacob to his children. 

Thank you for reading about my experience and visiting our page. I would love if you could donate anything at all to support Rosie and Jacob to achieve their goal and help this great charity. 

Helen, Richard, Rosie and Jacob 

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