Ep 300: The Silent Danger Behind Pregnancy Itching with Donna Benavides, Founder of ICP Care

Birth With Power

Dr. Nicole C. Rankins

Parenting, Kids & Family

4.9 • 637 Ratings

🗓️ 10 June 2025

⏱️ 44 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Intense pregnancy itching might be a sign of a serious condition called cholestasis of pregnancy—a liver disorder that affects pregnancy and can increase the risk of stillbirth. In honor of ICP Awareness Month this June, I’m joined by Donna Benavides, founder of the nonprofit ICP Care, to talk about her personal journey after tragically losing her first son due to cholestasis of pregnancy.

Donna is here to share what everyone should know about this rare but potentially dangerous pregnancy complication. She’s sharing her critical insights about symptoms to watch for, the importance of self-advocacy, and how to get the right care. If you’re pregnant or planning to be, this is must-know information to help you protect your baby and your peace of mind.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

What the signs and symptoms of cholestasis of pregnancy are
Who is most likely to experience cholestasis of pregnancy
What testing and treatment involve
How long test results can take—and why timing matters
Whether cholestasis of pregnancy can be prevented
How to advocate for yourself
Which kinds of support can make a difference in your care
How ICP can affect future pregnancies

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Intense pregnancy itching might be a sign of a serious condition called coli stasis of pregnancy.
0:08.1	In this episode, I'm joined by Donna Benavides, founder of the nonprofit ICP care to talk about
0:15.9	her personal journey after tragically losing her first son due to coli stasis of pregnancy.
0:23.1	Donna shares critical insights about symptoms to watch for the importance of self-advocacy
0:28.3	and how to get the right care. If you are someone you love is pregnant, this is an episode
0:33.6	you absolutely need to hear.
0:41.5	Okay. episode you absolutely need to hear. Welcome to the Birth with Power podcast where knowledge is power and power transforms birth.
0:49.1	I'm Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankin's mom of two and practicing board certified OBGYN with over 20 years of experience
0:55.8	and nearly 2,000 birth attended. I've seen firsthand how the hospital system can leave women
1:02.0	feeling unheard and uncertain, but that doesn't have to be your story. Here, you'll get the
1:07.5	knowledge, support, and strategies to take charge of your birth experience
1:11.6	so you can walk into the hospital feeling calm, confident, and empowered.
1:17.1	Note this podcast is for educational purposes only and it's not a substitute for medical advice.
1:22.6	See the full disclaimer at Dr. Nicole Rankins.com forward slash disclaimer.
1:26.8	Now let's get to it.
1:30.5	Want to feel more calm and confident about giving birth? The birth with power brief is my
1:37.5	free weekly email that gives you a fun pregnancy fact, one mind set shift, and one small step to prepare without the
1:49.1	overwhelm. It's like having me in your corner cheering you on every Thursday. Don't miss it. Head to
1:57.5	Dr. Nicole Rankins.com forward slash email to sign up today.
2:02.7	Hello there. Welcome to another episode of the podcast. This is episode number 300.
2:09.6	Whether this is your first time listening or you've been here before, I'm so glad you're
2:13.5	spending a bit of your time with me today. This episode is a deeply personal and powerful one.
	...

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