1. Pregnant? You're More Likely to Develop Gallstones
As if you didn't have enough on your mind during pregnancy, your risk of gallbladder problems, including gallstones, increase while you await baby-to-be. In fact, about 25 to 30 percent of pregnant women will experience some sort of gallbladder ailment, with 3 to 10 percent of those patients eventually developing gallstones. That's because the gallbladder--which harbors bile in your belly, helping you to digest--doesn't work as efficiently during pregnancy, leaving behind extra bile "sludge" that may develop into a stone. These tiny pebbles can wreak major havoc on your digestive system, blocking the flow of bile throughout your intestines and causing pain and discomfort.
2. Know the Symptoms of Gallstones
If you do have a stone, you will most likely know it. Telltale symptoms include severe, steady pain under the right rib cage, which may worse after a big meal; pain in the back between the shoulder blades; pain under the right shoulder; and nausea, vomiting, or lack of appetite. Other signs are abdominal bloating, intolerance of fatty foods, gas, and indigestion. Since these symptoms may blur with the typical trials of pregnancy, consult your doctor if you're experiencing any out-of-the-ordinary pain or digestion or stomach troubles.
3. How to Treat Gallstones During Pregnancy
Undergoing extra medical procedures is the last thing you want to do during pregnancy, so hopefully your gallstone woes won't be severe enough to require surgery or even a hospital stay. Your doctor may simply have you stay away from high-fat foods and see if that does the trick. Otherwise, she may opt to treat your gallstones with painkillers, intravenous fluids, and plenty of rest.
4. The Scoop on Gallbladder Surgery While Pregnant
If an infection does occur in your gallbladder, you will most likely have to go under the knife to prevent any harm to your baby. Depending on where you are in your pregnancy, your gallbladder will be removed (also known as a Cholecystectomy) either by laparoscopy or a larger incision. Laparoscopy is only possible prior to the third trimester, when your uterus won't be in the way. However, as your pregnancy progresses and your uterus grows, you have have to undergo a more invasive procedure. That is why it's extra important to see your doctor at the first sign of any possible ailments during your pregnancy.
