Health
TikTok Viewers Spot Dangerous Pregnancy Condition in Influencer Videos
Health Points
- Abbie Herbert’s followers noticed she was scratching her hands during pregnancy.
- The itching turned out to be a sign of cholestasis, a potentially dangerous liver condition.
- Doctors confirmed high bile acid levels and delivered her baby early to prevent complications.
Content creator Abbie Herbert thought she knew what to expect during her third pregnancy until a symptom surfaced. After sharing a daily video, her followers noticed the 29-year-old scratching her hands and urged her to seek medical help.
While Herbert initially dismissed the itching as skin stretching, her community identified it as a potential sign of cholestasis. This liver condition involves bile acids backing up into the bloodstream, which can have life-threatening consequences for the baby.
“I started seeing some comments that were like, ‘You’re itching. You should go get that looked at,'” Herbert recalls.
Medical examinations confirmed Herbert’s bile acid levels were nearly double the safe limit. Doctors ordered an immediate delivery to prevent complications like preterm birth or stillbirth, leading to the birth of her healthy son, Rocky.
“I’m so grateful to have this platform + followers like YOU,” she shared on social media after the successful delivery.
She credits her audience for helping her recognize a dangerous situation that she might have otherwise ignored.
Keep a close watch on unusual symptoms during pregnancy and always consult a healthcare professional regarding persistent itching.
