If you have gallstones, you may experience significant abdominal pain, especially after eating foods high in fat. Often the only treatment for gallstone pain during pregnancy is symptom management through lifestyle changes and pain medication. As a pregnant woman, you can reduce your need for pain medicine by following a diet low in fat to reduce the frequency and intensity of gallbladder attacks.
Gallstones
Your gallbladder is a small sac located by your liver that manufactures bile -- a substance that helps you digest fats. When stones form inside your gallbladder, they can block the ducts that carry bile out of your gallbladder, causing severe pain due to inflammation. Certain risk factors increase your risk of developing gallstones, including age, family history, weight, ethnicity and history of rapid weight loss, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Women, especially pregnant women, are at high risk of developing gallstones.
Pregnancy
As a pregnant woman, you have an increased risk of developing painful gallstones, primarily due to your body having more estrogen than normal. Symptoms of gallstones during pregnancy include upper abdominal pain and nausea and vomiting. To reduce your risk of developing gallstones during pregnancy, try to remain at a healthy weight and talk to your doctor about the benefits of exercising regularly.
Recommended Diet
Your diet during pregnancy influences the health of your growing baby. If you have gallstones, you should follow a diet that is high in fiber and low in fat. Focus on eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans. Avoid fried and fatty foods, especially fatty meats. The Mayo Clinic recommends obtaining dietary fats from healthy unsaturated fat sources, such as fish and nuts. While fish is an important source of fatty acids, limit the amount of fish you eat weekly to reduce your mercury exposure. Choose fish low in mercury, such as salmon, trout and sardines, and limit your fish intake to 12 oz. weekly, advises the March of Dimes.
Precautions
If you have severe abdominal pain and nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, seek medical help. Pregnant women with gallstones typically control symptoms through diet. Occasionally, your physician may recommend surgery if you have a significant problem with gallstones. Management of gallstones in the third trimester of pregnancy often relies on pain medication, with surgery to follow after you recover from birth.
