The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ in the body that stores the bile, which is produced by the liver. Stones form when the liquid bile becomes hardened; cholesterol is a main component in bile. Gallstones are commonly developed during pregnancy like due to the increase in cholesterol levels within the body. Symptoms of gallstones include abdominal pain that radiates to the neck and or back. Stones become symptomatic if they become lodged in the bile duct or if they obstruct bile from moving through the duct. There are various ways to treat gallstones during pregnancy.
Diet Modification
Diet modification is usually the most common and initial method of treatment of gallstones, especially during pregnancy. With diet modification the individual is put on a low fat or no fat diet, as fat intake can increase cholesterol levels therefore agitating the gallbladder and stones. Diet modification is used to get the pregnant women to term and delivery at which time surgical intervention may be needed. This method of treatment is generally used when there are a low number of stones in the bladder or symptoms are relatively mild.
Surgical Intervention
During pregnancy, surgical interventions usually reserved for more severe cases as surgery is generally avoided for pregnant women. In instances where a cholecystectomy, or surgical removal of the gallbladder, is the best option it done using a laparoscopic procedure. During a laparoscopic cholesystectomy, small incisions are made and instruments guided by the use of a camera remove the organ. An open cholecystectomy in which a large abdominal incision is made, is contraindicated for pregnancy.
Medical Intervention
There are currently medicinal interventions that are being used to treat gallstones. Oral dissolution therapy uses medications to dissolve the stones. According to the National Digestive Disease Clearinghouse, these medications may take months to be completely effective dissolving all the stones. Another medical alternative if called contact dissolution therapy in which the medication is injected into the gallbladder to dissolve the stone, there is still research being done on this treatment and it may be dangerous for pregnant women.
