Kate Mara is perhaps best known for her role as the fearless journalist Zoe Barnes in House of Cards. But the Hollywood actress admitted she was far from fearless prior to an emergency caesarean section she had in the past due to a health complication.
She was given a caesarian at 36 weeks pregnant in May 2019 after testing positive for a condition called Cholestasis, which has the potential to cause babies to be stillborn.
Talking about the ordeal with Dr Berlin’s Informed Pregnancy podcast, she said: “I was genuinely terrified of what that meant and what could happen and all of these things.
“And then of course just being tired made me that much more scared, I think.”
She added: “I was just super sad. I remember that moment very clearly because I burst out crying and was like, ‘I’m scared.’”
READ MORE: Diabetes: High blood sugar damage can cause Charcot’s foot
Symptoms of cholestasis
As well as itching, which Mara experienced, the symptoms of cholestasis of pregnancy are dark urine, pale poo, and sometimes jaundice.
According to the NHS, to diagnose you with Cholestasis, your doctor will try to exclude other causes and may try blood tests.
These tests will help them find out how your liver is functioning and check whetheer the bile acid levels are regular.
If you are diagnosed with the condition, your GP will give you regular tests to monitor the condition.
Source: | This article first appeared on Express.co.uk